4 Royalty-Approved Ways to Wear Flat Sandals This Summer

We love Mother Earth and fashion. The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive, which is why for Earth Day, 100% of the products featured in editorial stories published today will be eco-friendly.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

It's tempting to frantically find a fast-fashion version of whatever Meghan Markle or other royals are wearing—yes, we're guilty too—but emulating their style doesn't have to come at the expense of the environment. In honor of Earth Day, every single royal-inspired item I chose below boasts one or more sustainable elements (think recycled, renewable, and/or biodegradable materials, or reduced water usage and waste in the production cycle).

Another element of sustainability is working toward achieving a circular fashion system. The industry's current linear model is "take, make, dispose, [which results in] 73% of the world’s clothing eventually ending in landfills or being incinerated," per the Global Fashion Agenda, a Copenhagen-based nonprofit that aims to make sustainability fashionable and provide direction to industry leaders. Simple solutions to this massive problem include reselling or donating your clothes instead of disposing of them, and buying items made with recycled or repurposed materials.

Scroll down to shop outfits inspired by Meghan Markle, Queen Letizia, and Princess Charlene using brands committed to sustainability in their own unique ways.

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1. Striped Midi Dress + Oversized Sunglasses
(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Meghan Markle: Reformation dress; Sarah Flint shoes; Karen Walker sunglasses

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2. White Dress + Summer Bag
(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Queen Letizia: Adolfo Dominguez dress; Uterqüe sandals

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3. Floral Maxi Dress + Delicate Jewelry
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On Princess Charlene of Monaco: Roberto Cavalli dress

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4. Button-Up Shirt + Skinny Jeans
(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Meghan Markle: J.Crew shirt, shoes, and hat

Next, the four dress trends every princess, queen, and duchess own

Associate Director, Fashion News

Erin got her start as aBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing intern over 13 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.