In addition to incorporating horseback riding into her post-throne personal style, Meghan Markle also debuted a whole new set of charities.

On October 2, International Day of the Girl, the Duchess of Sussex made a surprise stop at Girls Inc. in Santa Barbara to launch a partnership between the charity and #HalftheStory, a nonprofit focused on the relationship between the next generation of youth and technology. Meghan Markle's own philanthropic arm, the Archwell Foundation, is funding the partnership, along with the Melinda French Gates Foundation and the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation.

Markle spent the afternoon speaking to young minds about empowerment and digital wellness, dressed in a New England (or British) stable of classics with a California twist. The Duchess chose a blue button-up shirt by J. Crew, a collaboration with French designer Marie Marot, with what appeared to be a contrasting white collar. She paired it with wide white pants cinched with a brown leather belt. Worn suede Manolo Blahnik pumps took precedence over riding boots, otherwise I would have walked from Ralph Lauren's Hamptons estate to my charity appointment.

The Duchess reverted to her usual bouncy blowout after being dressed in beach waves on the red carpet last week. She also left her signature jewelry at home, including a gold Cartier necklace and Princess Diana butterfly earrings, accessorized only with a rosy pink blush.

Throughout the afternoon, Markle crafted with teens and 20-somethings and talked about two causes close to her heart: empowerment and digital wellness. (The program was upbeat, though hopefully influencing participants' online habits (see Friendship Bracelet Making Session). ) “Princess Meghan spoke about being one of the most bullied children in the world,” Larissa May, founder of #HalftheStory, told Vanity Fair.

Meghan Markle showed off her business-casual twist on styling at several events promoting digital wellness this year, including a panel at South by Southwest International Women's Day in March, where she wore a matching Giulivia Heritage Giulivia Heritage set to talk about cyberbullying, and she tried on several tailored vests and stately day dresses by Veronica Beard on her Colombian royal tour.

Still, her button-downs and white pants feel like a relatively preppy turn for the duchess. Markle's style is often more “clean girl” than “horse girl,” and even at events like the Sentivert Polo Classic, she opts for chic, minimal pieces like her backless St. Agni dress. Her look is reminiscent of Jennifer Lopez's Summer 2024 style evolution. For her month-long stay in the Hamptons, she started wearing Ralph Lauren shirts, pants, and flip-flops. Next, either (or both!) of the moguls will show us how they wear their barn jackets and riding boots?