Brandi’s palette-cleansing pairing of an ivory jacket and pale taupe suede OTKs with blue denim showcases a look I love for this season of transitional dressing: wearing a jacket as a top. It’s such a fun way to get extra mileage from a topper and it lends itself to mercurial weather conditions because you can layer whatever you need underneath. Start with a tee if it’s warm, a thermal or light sweater if it’s chilly. Then toss your jacket over the top and zip or button it fully so that your under-layers don’t show. So far, so easy, right? :). Take your cue for the rest of the look from the shape and style of your jacket. Pair a boxy piece with skinny jeans and complete the look by tucking them into ankle booties: flat, low, or sky-high – pick your passion ‘cuz they all work! Combine a more fitted piece with cropped or cuffed boyfriend jeans for a chic-meets-slouchy vibe. I love the contrast provided by refined blazer or the embellished artistry of a military jacket against the super-chill boyfriend silhouette. Reiterate the sophistication by finishing the look with slim, pointy ankle booties. (Make sure the jeans’ hem hits 2-3 inches above where the boot starts to narrow to get the right proportions.) Give denim-on-denim a try by pairing a cropped jacket with high-waisted denim. Play up the 80’s vibe of slim or straight bottoms with glittered pumps. Or, go 70’s and complete the look with suede boots or platform sandals. Jewelry is a crucial element in this type of look; it gives the styling polish and the “finished” quality that makes it work. Earrings are the easiest to use as they interfere least with the jacket. Rings work fabulously as well. For bracelets, roll your sleeves or wear the baubles on the outside of them. Lean toward statement, but not especially fancy, pieces with the laidback boxy jacket (think hoops, or geometric-shaped metal pairs). With a blazer, play against the straightforward sophistication with a bit of glamour (try colored or clear crystals) or whimsy (think animals or flowers). Go for studs with a military piece to allow the jacket’s embellishments to take center stage. With denim, go for bold colors that reference the 80’s, or tasseled pieces for a 70’s vibe. I hope this inspires you to wear a jacket as a top sometime soon! Happy fashioning!

Blue jeans and a little white top Is about as girl-next-door classic as you can get…unless, of course those jeans are all-over sequined. Then, it’s GLAM! Barbie rocked the sheez out of this very pairing on her Instagram, looking thoroughly hot and totally like an 80’s baby in these sequined Zenith jeans from Fashion Nova.  I love the way a super-fun, over-the-top piece like these can put a whole new spin on an iconic combination! She gave the look a casual, sporty finish by completing it with white sneakers. From there, she goes to another take on an athleisure look: a coord set of a cropped top and track pants, again by Fashion Nova. I love the way the pinstripes give this a FASHION-gone-sporty vibe, rather than feeling like a gym look that just got dressed up a little. It’s casual, but also super-sophisticated and I’m so here for it! Her star-printed backpack ups the trendy vibe and echoes the set’s white stripes. Her strong eye and nude lip keep the look chic, but laidback. I’m thrilled that she didn’t try to power it up too much with a bright red lip. We don’t get to see her shoes (*sniffles*), but I’m betting on white sneakers or white pumps ;).  Barbie was really loving Fashion Nova this winter – she turned to the company again for this stunning eggplant satin romper. The color had my attention from ‘hello’ and the off-the-shoulder neckline and romantic puffed sleeves kept it! Everything about this piece makes a statement! The satin also makes it quite formal, so I liked seeing Barbie tone it down with her shoe choice. She went for a clear sandal, which is an upcoming trend for this summer. I’m still not quite sold on the look, but I’d have loved a nude heel in the same silhouette. I’m also crushing on her side-swept hairstyle here – it’s so sensual and gorgeous on her! Barbie was slaying for her birthday celebration in a red latex set from Meshki Boutique. This outfit, like her previous one, makes a fashion focal point all on its own, with the deep, square neckline, dangerously sexy fabric and outrageously high side slit. I could have dealt with a slightly less dramatic slit, but I can roll with this one; I’ve seen Barbie push the trend into much more questionable territory.  Then again, with her body, she can make nearly anything work. So there is that to consider :). Just as with the romper, Barbie wisely kept her accessories simple: clear sandals (again, I’d have loved nude as well) and a gold bag. I applaud her styling choices – they accent the look without getting in the way of the main statement.
I’ve already raved over Bayley’s tweak of her gear – the addition of fringe and reduction of patterns – in my review of her Royal Rumble look. I’m on board just as hard for this earlier version. I love the more edited execution, the movement of the fringe (and also how insanely unique it is!!), and the incredible aqua and pale apricot color story – again, a super unusual combo and a gorgeous one to boot! Brava, Bay – this gear is AHHHHHmazing! Also fabulous, incidentally on trend and mad fun :) I’m so in for this!

Nikki attended a December event for Birdiebee charity partner Dress For Success (an organization that provides workplace attire and tools to help women present themselves in a professional way for job interviews, as well as programs to teach women about personal finance, so they can successfully manage the money they earn). She chose her trademark red and black color story, pairing a classic body-kissing v-neck midi sheath with a black peplum jacket. The dramatic longer length of the jacket brings extra panache and uniqueness to the simplicity of the dress. Nikki completed the look with black chunky-heeled mary-janes with a rounded toe – an unexpected vintage element from this generally quite modern lady! Bright red lips carried the color and provided just the right finishing touch. By matching her dress shade, Nikki kept the color story very simple, which gave it tremendous impact. A deeper red or a nude shade would have softened the look significantly. I love how Nikki smartly switches her style up to be appropriate for the event she’s attending. She doesn’t wear date night or athleisure looks to this type of function, she keeps her look professional, which is exactly the right thing to do. I applaud!
She was looking amazing again  - though in a much more glamorous way! - on New Year’s Eve as she celebrated with sister Brie. Nikki chose a sexy nude-blush cami, paired with gorgeous matching flared pants with a glorious sheen. I love the way the luxe fabric of her pants lends formality to the laidback camisole, as does the wide, coordinating sash at her waist. She gives the look a fabulous touch of spice by completing it with floral ankle booties, which bring a delightful dose of color and pattern to the otherwise monochrome outfit.  A slim gold choker and statement earrings add a nice touch of shine, further serving to elevate the look, while her dark burgundy lips add modern, moody drama and her polished low pony brings sexy sophistication. This is such a fabulous look from Nikki! (And PS – if you’re considering re-creating it, it’s worth nothing that it’s so well-chosen that it will have just as much impact with a less daring cami ;)) Brie’s outfit was simpler in concept, but equal in drama, as she donned a glittering maxi dress from Parker NYC. The long sleeves give the piece a trendy 70’s vibe, which is accentuated by its easy glamour. Brie echoed that with her long, loose hairstyle and looks absolutely stunning!
Nikki’s flair for drama was on full display in her next ensemble! I’m wild over her magnificent lace blouse with its layered-ruffle sleeves – it’s so feminine and beautiful! We need to talk about the styling though. I understand the trendiness of having only a bra underneath and Nikki has the body to rock this look into oblivion, but I can’t generally recommend it for the non-paparazzi’d of us. I do appreciate the way it shows off the beauty of the lace… but a nude cami would give essentially the same effect with a more sophisticated vibe. I’m back in for her choice to toughen it up by adding leather pants and OTK boots - it keeps the lace from feeling too sweet. Despite my not being totally here for the styling, I can’t help but admit that this looks incredible on her!

We got a taste of Mckenzie’s real-world style as she attended a December college graduation. She wore a plaid top, paired with flared jeans and topped with a leather jacket. A silver statement pendant provided the exclamation point for this casual but put-together look. I also love her mid-pony with the soft poof at the front – so pretty! The casual continues for this holiday-time look in which she paired a white turtleneck and blue denim with a burgundy velvet shawl from Earthbound Trading. The spike of warm color and luxe texture gives this laidback ensemble panache. A gold statement necklace elevates the look and gives it the signature of intentioned style. That’s cemented by her super-cool caramel-toned fedora, which is a beautiful neutral to pair with the burgundy hue, instead of the more expected black.
This gorgeous azalea jumpsuit is a stunning example of Nikki’s sexy-meets-chic style. The piece features an off-the-shoulder silhouette, flared sleeves and flawless tailoring in a magnificent shade of warm, bright pink.  Those details serve as the focal point of the look as Nikki wisely edited everything else except slim, statement earrings that add subtle shine. The color and silhouette create an engaging and dramatic look that’s rendered incredibly sophisticated by the restraint shown in the styling. Her bright pink lip echoes the azalea shade without appearing matchy and carries the color upward. I love everything about this look! It’s drama on overdrive in her next outfit, a choker-neck romper with a jaw-dropping, décolleté-baring plunge-front. Holy shiz! :)

Brie: Carmella posted this fab mini set of snaps on her IG and omg the COLORS! I wondered where 'Mella would go after she exhausted black, gold, leopard and red and this bright teal looks ahhhmazing! - especially when paired with highlighter-lime :). I've been digging the mod-urban vibe of her bodysuit-gear for some time and this iteration does nothing to reduce that. The squared out neckline is sexy as hel..sinki, the high-cut legs are totally 80's and look amazing and the bright hues are just icing on the cake! The gold tones in her baseball cap coordinate without being matchy and she gives us just a touch of her trademark animal print via the choker, which works to flawless effect due to the above-mentioned low neckline. Her poses = slayage (that over-the-shoulder smile tho!). So much fabulosity in so few snaps leaves me wanting moooooooore. Mooooooooore, I say!

Cathy went for denim-on-denim in this December snap, pairing a button-down in a medium wash with dark skinny bottoms. She connected the two with a black leather belt and completed the look with banana yellow pumps, which naturally I love :). That said, the styling feels like it’s missing a little something. I would have liked her shoes and belt to be matchy-er ( a classic interpretation that’s very effective), or the addition of an accessory in a light shade to connect the whole look. She utilizes the belt again for her next look, this time connecting dark skinny denim to a shoulder-baring striped top. Here, her black wedge sandals make the look feel quite cohesive, while her burgundy tasseled bag adds a fun touch of whimsy.
We saw Charlotte do a very similar look to this back in September, except that here she went with wide leg pants instead of skinnies. I like the change and the very sophisticated vibe of the duster coat with the flowing pants. The one small tweak I would make is to do a full tuck with her blouse (or add a belt) to define her waist more. It would have pulled the look together, given it a solid focal point amid all the pieces with movement and made it feel a shade more polished and chic.
Sadly, we don’t get a really good look at this ensemble from Alicia, worn during her visit to Iraq this winter, but frankly when I see a studded jacket and OTK boots, I’m generally in right there. It looks like Foxy added a black top beneath all that fierceness and then threw in her customary fabulous twist by adding a floppy fedora. The color unites the look, while the variety of elements and unexpected accessory keep it fresh and intriguing. Trademark Foxy slayage. She was at it again, albeit with a much more casual take, in her next outfit, which paired a white tee with leather leggings, topped with a striped scarf and a faux-fur trimmed cropped moto jacket in a natural canvas-tone. She completed the look with fur-lined mid-calf boots and added a baseball cap in coordinating hue for good measure. I love how this look feels so easy and unstudied and yet retains a quiet glamour at the same time. It also happens to be a flawless use of winter white shades.  

So, about forty years after the Rumble, WWE managed to release photoshoot-style snaps of the ladies in their ring gear, under the guise of celebrating International Women’s Day. Ok, Big Dub, whatever. It’s a gear ‘shoot and I’m good with that. No need to try to convince me its anything else. So, now about forty years after they released it, I’m reviewing it…under the guise of rounding up the Royal Rumble :). I like that these snaps give you a close and clear look at each of the ladies’ in-ring looks and it allows me to comment on a few of the gals I couldn’t acquire good pics of the first time around.
Aaaaand Becky isn’t in her gear, but this actually looks like it could have been. Its  a taste of her chill-gal-meets-medieval-punk stylings that we saw early in 2017. The hints of metal give this look a nice touch of flash and the rust and black tones work beautifully with her hair. While I would have found this a little lowkey for a major event like the Rumble, I could get behind her wearing this for a tv event.

Woops – I’ve been so focused on keeping up and catching up that I nearly forgot about Pt. II of the Rumble gear! Fixing that now :).
Maria Menounos went for full-on athleisure in this sporty jumpsuit. Zipped up and paired with sneakers, it could easily have felt underwhelming, but she intelligently spiced it up with a gold bodysuit below and unexpected metallic peeptoe booties. The shoes, in particular, shifted the vibe of this look toward Fiercness and I approve! Statement earrings cemented that direction.
I’m on board for the Gothic leanings of Nia’s gear: the shield-like red lace looks powerful and imposing set against the black leather, but still retains beauty, preventing the gear from looking too stark and brawn-heavy. She previously did iterations of this look where the upper edge of the colored front-piece was extended farther to each side, creating a visual empire waist. That look is excellent for Nia and I wish she would explore it further.  While the sections of black lace break up the leather nicely, they also reduce the cohesiveness of the piece. A simple sheer fabric could have a similar, but simpler, effect.  The concepts she has for her look are fantastic and super-fun; just a few small tweaks to the execution could really put them in a class by themselves.
The Bella’s triumphant reunion was more about the feels than the gear, but it delivered so well on the feels that I can overlook the absence of anything novel on the attire front.  Both ladies slayed in red. Nikki reprised her most recent era of sporty gear, with a short-sleeve cropped tee accented with lace-up detailing and paired with color block shorts.  Red knee socks and black+red sneakers rounded out the look. Brie went for red latex in a one-piece silhouette, embellished with slashes and a plaid waistband that recalled her grunge-tinged Brie-mode looks. The sisters rarely fail to deliver and these looks are both solid, competent and visually impactful – the work of women who know exactly what they’re about.
Carmella’s gear looks like gray marble print from a distance, but on closer inspection it is revealed to be a graffiti print. I’m totally in for either print; they both look fab! And I’m really impressed by the way that the look works so incredibly well from both vantage points. Many times, something can look amazing close-up but lose impact from further back, or vice versa, but this look covers it all! The orange piping was an awesome choice and works brilliantly, bringing the shot of color that makes this gear pop. Surprisingly, I can even get behind the faux high waistband created by her fishnet hosiery showing above her shorts. You gotta be fab to sell me on that kind of a look! :)

I love the color combination Brandi has going on in this look! The dusty peach of her flutter sleeve blouse looks incredible paired with this gray checked mini skirt! Peach tones with standard go-to black can sometimes feel too Halloween-inspired, but gray segues nicely around that issue. The business-like checks make a nice foil for the fluidity of her blouse sleeves. They also happen to be spot on-trend for spring, making Brandi officially ahead of the game, since she did this in November ;). Black ankle booties complete the ensemble. Even though she styled this for autumn, it’s a perfect transitional look for spring as well. She’s also been doing some fun things with her ring gear! Although we only get a look at the back of this catsuit she wore in November for Ring of Honor, we can see enough to realize that it’s jaw-dropping! The pure white piece is crisscrossed with tiny crystal boxes that all contain a larger crystal at their center. The pattern continues on the sleeves as well. This gear is FIERCE, no question! I love the color, the silhouette and the glamour of all that sparkle! I hope we get to see it again in the near future in a way where we can fully appreciate it. Brandi gave us a peek at a couple of her holiday looks: a sequined dress paired with suede OTK boots. We’ve seen this kind of combination quite often before, but I’m crazy over her choice of a rainbow-glittered piece. It looks amazing with her black accessories – they really set off the colors of the sequins – and it makes a fab allusion to the rainbow trend that’s beginning to gather steam in fashion of late. Her second look was all about the glitter as well and I love it just as much. This time, the classic silver holiday fare got an extra punch from the pairing with blush; the warmth of the pink is gorgeous against the cool sparkle of the silver. I’m also in for the textural play of her faux fur jacket and knit hat against the shimmer of her dress. I’m betting on blush pointy pumps or metallic silver sandals to complete this look. 

Maryse gave us her best interpretation of a harajuku girl during her visit to Tokyo on Total Divas. Although I can’t imagine actually wearing it, I find the harajuku styling visually interesting – it’s so colorful and complicated that you really have to stop and analyze each aspect of it. It’s a credit to Maryse that she gives us a creditable take on the look, despite it clearly not being anything like her personal style. You have to have a real appreciation of and talent for fashion to change gears so dramatically and not have it look like a hot mess! And Marsye looks like fun personified :). He next outfit is right back in her wheelhouse with a sensual bustier and pants set. While the color matches flawlessly, the look gets a nice visual lift from the difference in texture – the smooth sheen of her pants contrasts nicely with the velvet bustier. Her high pony and key neckline combine to show off her neckline, while her neon pink nails gives the look and 80’s-referencing pop. From there, she moves on to a floral dress with a mockneck and cap sleeves combining to create a strong, visual triangle at the top. The pairing of the two elements creates the impression of a cheongsam. I love how we are seeing Maryse’s take on traditional Asian style, filtered through her own fashion sensibilities, as well as the way she shifts her look to reference her location. Ag with her previous look, her bright nails bring a joy-inducing shot of extra color.