The Cosmic Watchdog

Meghan Markle is renowned for mixing classic chic with casual elegance. The Duchess was spotted wearing a pair of Saint Laurent designer sandals in a behind-the-scenes clip of her new Netflix series, ‘With Love, Meghan’. 

Meghan posted the clip to Instagram as part of a countdown to the show’s release, which will premiere on March 4. She sported a pair of tan-hued slip-on sandals, which the eagle-eyed royal fashion fan page @meghansclosetchronicals has identified as the Tribute sandals by the French designer. But the luxurious slip-on shoes aren’t cheap, retailing for £595. They are crafted in Italian calf leather, which is woven at the front to create their signature wave-like motif.

Meghan is a fan of Saint Laurant footwear, having also been spotted wearing the YSL Chris loafers. She’s not the only member of the Royal Family who is a fan of the French fashion house. During a visit to the Caribbean in 2022, Princess Kate wore a vintage coral jacket by Yves Saint Laurent, which she reportedly bought at a vintage shop in Scotland while studying at St Andrews University two decades ago.

The luxurious designer Tribute sandals by Saint Laurent cost £595. They are in an amber brown shade and the front features intricate weaving that forms a crisscross. This timeless slide-on style is perfect for slipping into your suitcase for a warm-weather getaway.

Luckily, if you can’t afford to splurge close to £600 on a pair of sandals, we’ve found some affordable alternatives. Marks and Spencer is known for its comfortable, well-made items that won’t break the bank. Such is the case with these Marks and Spencer mules, which offer the same slip-on style and a very similar woven detail. 

The sandals come in a tan colour to mimic Meghan’s style, as well as an ivory two-tone colourway and a powder blue version. 

If you are a fan of the mule style but prefer a heel, Marks and Spencer’s block heel mules are another great alternative. The sandals are new this season and are a very similar shade of amber brown to Megahn’s YSL sandals—but for a slice of the price. The shoes differ from Meghan’s in that they have more of a rounded shape at the front. 

The Genesis design by Jones Bootmaker is another purse-friendly alternative, offering a similar slip-on style and woven over-toe design but with a very slight heel. Once again, they are a slither of the £595 Meghan’s YSL sandals retail for – available for just £79.

The shoes also come in three other colours: navy, metallic gold and pale blue. 

The Loup flat sandals from Dune are an excellent option for something a little more comfortable. They offer an ergonomic footbed perfect for busy days on your feet. They have a chunkier leather design, and rather than the woven design seen in Meghan’s sandals, they feature Dune’s bespoke mirror-“D” design.

Fashion fans might see a likeness to another pair of designer sandals owned by Meghan. The Hermes Oran sandals have been popular for over 25 years, and they are most known for their cut-out design, which is based on the ‘H’ of Hermes. A number of celebrities have been seen wearing them, including  Meghan Markle, but retailing for £610, they aren’t the most budget-friendly option. 

But for £99, the Dune sandals offer the perfect combination of both Meghan’s YSL sandals and her Hermes sandals.