Megan Markle Is Named the Most Influential Dresser of 2019 and This is Why You Need To Know About It

The numbers have crunched the numbers and the results are out. This year’s ‘most influential dresser’ list is a surprising mix of royalty, musicians and actors. All of whom have a big impact on the way we shop. 

From the Kardashian Jenners to Rihanna, as we would expect, there are many celebrities topping out outfit inspiration list. But when it comes down to who else if actually influencing the way we shop, you might be surprised to learn who made the cut. 

According to the global fashion search platform Lyst, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (AKA Meghan Markle) has officially been named this year’s most powerful dresser, ‘beating out her sister-in-law Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (who dropped down to 11th place) for the coveted number one stop.

Meghan’s fashion choices have reportedly sparked a 216% increase in searches for similar pieces this year alone. ‘Remeber all those chic shirt dresses Meg wore on the royal tour in South Africa? Well, apparently we all like them so much that the category grew 45% in one month alone. After she was snapped wearing a Club Monaco dress it went to sell out in less than 24 hours; proving the Meghan-Markle effect is in full force’. 

Second place went to Timothée Chalamet, not to many peoples surprise, ‘the actor has some serious fashion game. Remember that silver Haider Ackermann suit he wore to the Venice Film Festival? That spiked 806% searches for the brand. Oh, and that Louis Vuitton sequin hoodie Timothee wore to The King premiere, resulting in 192% rise in searches for men’s hoodies.’ 

What about the rest of the list? Who made the cut, and more importantly, who didn’t? Well, Kim Kardashian is nowhere to be seen on this years list. While her younger sister Kylie Jenner has been demoted, from 1st place last year to 7th for 2019. Another previous fashion favourite Rihanna was also a no-show for the 2019 list. 

Let’s have a look at who is really influencing our styles, and our purses. Have a look at Lyst’s top 10 most powerful dressers for 2019 and what the report had to say about them:

10. Billy Porter

Billy Porter at London Fashion Week wearing Roksanda Ilinčić

‘Billy Porter was responsible for some of the most talked-about red carpet moments of the year. When he wore a custom tuxedo-gown by Christian Siriano to the Oscars, searches for the designer increased 101% in 24 hours.’

9. Harry Styles

Harry Styles in Milan, Live on Tour. 

‘After Harry sported a single earring to the Met Gala, men’s searches for single earrings grew 28% from May. Known for his vibrant outfits, there was a 78% increase for blue suits in March after he wore a particularly vibrant ensemble in New York.’

8. Lizzo 

‘As Lizzo’s music has grown year on year, so too has demand for her signature leotards - searches have risen 28% year on year. She had many hit outfits at the MTV VMA, including an 80s lilac off-the-shoulder prom dress. Lizzo fashion has been a breakout search term since September.’

7. Kylie Jenner

‘The top celebrity fashion influencer for 2018, Kylie continued to drive mass global demand for her outfits. Wearing a floral milkmaid dress in August, she was responsible for a 66% spike in searches for the style. Wearing a daring gold dress to Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin’s wedding, she broke wedding guest rules and had more impact on searches than the bride’

6. Lisa Blackpink

Lisa Blackpink in The Lisa Collection

‘This year, Blackpink member Lisa became the most followed K-Pop idol on Instagram, with nearly 27 million followers. After she shared a series of photos of herself wearing the Celine Triomphe bag over the summer, searches for the accessory increased 66%.’

5. Cardi B 

Cardi B at 5th Annual Diamond Ball in New York.

‘Cardi B sent searches soaring when she wore a vintage Mugler gown to the Grammy Awards: searches for the designer spiked 169% in four hours. She was one of the most impactful faces at Fashion Week in September, her outfits by Chanel, Thom Browne and Richard Quinn were amongst the most talked about online that week.’

4. Billie Eilish 

‘Seventeen year-old singer-songwriter Billie Eilish has over 40 million followers on Instagram. After wearing several neon green outfits this Summer searches for the colour rose 69%. Meanwhile, searches for BBCICECREAM spiked 211% in less than a week after she tagged the brand in an Instagram post. ‘

3. Zendaya 

Zendaya before the Golden Globes

'Putting the Z in Gen Z dressing, Zendaya’s Instagram sparked millions of searches. When she stepped out on the Met Gala red carpet dressed in a light-up Cinderella gown by Tommy Hilfiger — complete with a carriage shaped bag and glass slippers — her look caused a 54% rise in searches for the brand. The Vera Wang gown she wore to the Emmy Awards in September created a 33% spike in searches for the brand.

2. Timothée Chalamet

      1.Meghan Markle

'Meghan Markle was the most powerful dresser of 2019 and her outfits sparked, on average, a 216% increase in searches for similar pieces'

Let us know who influenced your style the most this year in the comments below.