Fashion over decades has arrived at its share of rules, not many of them dating back to style sense and more from social tradition. Possibly one of the oldest, most debated, and among the earliest also, of all these is the “no white before Memorial Day” rule. Deep in late 19th-century elitist traditions, it once served to divide the social class of summers from the rest. But the passage of time means the alteration of fashion, too. And this Easter, two royal fashion influencers, Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie, cast that anachronistic rule aside graciously and proudly, doused in cold, pure white.
A Fashion Rule That No Longer Fits
The idea that white clothing should be reserved for summer emerged in an era when wealthy Americans used clothing as a way to separate themselves from the working class. White fabrics were expensive to maintain and symbolized a life free from physical labor. Wearing white outside the warm season, especially before Memorial Day, was seen as inappropriate, even tacky.
Jump forward to 2025, and this rule is more anachronistic than a contemporary guideline. Fashion now honors self-expression rather than societal expectation. Designers all over the world include winter whites in their lines, and celebrities routinely show up in ivory gowns at award ceremonies during January and February.
Meghan Markle’s Easter Glow
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex and a fashion icon in her own right, used Instagram this Easter to make a warm posting. She posted a video of ducklings crossing a road, representing new beginnings and springtime joy captioned, “Wishing you a Happy Easter full of love and surprises!” But it wasn’t the ducks alone that were getting attention. Meghan stood to the side in a white, sleeveless, tea-length flowing dress, exuding elegance with a carefree charm.
Her attire was a reflection of her signature style: minimalist, clean, and quietly bold. The white dress was not merely a fashion statement. It was a statement of independence from traditional rules that have little relevance in a contemporary world. She dressed in what felt appropriate for the moment, season or not.
Princess Eugenie’s Surprising Chic
While that was going on, Princess Eugenie went to the Easter Mattins Service at Windsor’s St. George’s Chapel wearing layers of white, an old-school trench coat, a coordinating hat with sheer netting, and what appeared to be a bold but simple white handbag. The cold in the British climate didn’t deter her from embracing the light colors more often seen in spring.
For Eugenie, who frequently walks the line between classic and modern fashion, this was a welcome departure. It proved that modern royals aren’t intimidated to change and that a monochrome ensemble in white can be just as suitable in April as in June.
The Bigger Picture: Style as Self-Expression
Both Meghan and Eugenie delivered the implicit message this Easter: rules do not apply, but self-confidence does. “What Not to Wear” is quickly falling out of fashion in a society where nonconformity reigns supreme. The fashion-conscious woman of today is not merely dressing for validation; she’s dressing for herself.
White, which so commonly represents purity, rebirth, and new beginnings, couldn’t be more appropriate for Easter. Instead of holding on to century-old limitations, these contemporary royals took the holiday as a chance to embody the mood of the season: light, happiness, and individuality.
Why This Matters for Modern Style
For US clients, stylists, and designers, the takeaway is clear: season-based fashion rules are ripe for reimagining. Whether you’re in Manhattan, Miami, or Minneapolis, white can be a year-round staple, from winter coats to spring dresses. Meghan and Eugenie’s Easter looks are a reminder that chic doesn’t come from following rules; it comes from rewriting them with confidence.
As fashion keeps changing, you can bet that more iconic women will follow suit. Because when it comes to fashion, the only rule that should exist is wearing something that makes you feel powerful.
Also read: Meghan Markle’s ‘As Ever’: A Bold Reclamation of Identity and Influence
