I’m still not over the high of Wrestlemania week – maybe because I’ve been slaving over pics and collages :) We will have AAALLLL the Wrestlemania fashion for you here over the course of the next few days and we’re kicking it off with a taste of the Hall Of Fame. Last year, we gave all the non-roster ladies their own count-up and this year, since we have a number of ladies participating, we’re keeping the tradition going! The looks ran the gamut from monochrome to brights, fancy to relaxed and we loved seeing all of them.  I have to open with my usual caveat: all the ladies looked incredible and every time I do a count-up, I’m always splitting hairs to determine placings! Tiny things make the difference because they have to :). With that said, let’s get to the “who wowed us the most” part! Here goes…

I love the clean-lined drama of Lana’s black and silver rendition of her gear! Even with her beauty-contestant skirt, there’s a seriousness to this color combination which, added to the engineering-inspired patterning, signals her intent to no longer be dismissed as eye-candy. The deep chevron at the front highlights her curves, adding a dose of sensuality  to the sleek design. I love the look of using knee pads to create the visual proportion of OTK boots and it works especially brilliantly here with her one-piece attire, creating a modern, trend-conscious aesthetic that’s wonderfully appealing.  This is a perfect choice and direction for Lana to grow her styling in.
In considering Michelle’s gear, I found myself torn between my “meh” feeling about camo and the fact that I’m sitting here with a chance to review brand new ring gear from the eternally flawless Mimi McFabulous (I can’t resist a throwback to the Josie Couture days – yes, some still remember ;)..shoutout to you, Josie C, wherever you are). In the end, the latter feeling triumphed. It’s all here – the faith-based crosses, the bedazzling, the trademark halter-top – with a fun, new twist: the use of the crosses as garter straps to hold her knee covers. It’s sexy in a subtle way and I’m thrilled by the creativity if the touch! Like, yaaaaas, girl! I’m also in for the white paiping: it brightens the often-dark dark camo considerably. If you’re gonna sell me on the fabric this is soooo how you do it! The only thing I miss is a pair of glittering crosses on her boots. …and a few killer poses …actually, would a whole ‘shoot be too much to ask? :D
My first impression of Barbie/Kelly’s gear was that it was a minimalist white look – which was 100% fine by me – but, upon closer inspection, the fabric has a super-cool, almost puckered texture, creating visual horizontal lines. The multitude of studs followed those, giving an edgy power to an all-over embellished design. The vibe was fresh and dewy, but with a hint of edge from the studs and I’m so here for it! What a perfect representation of the Kelly aesthetic! Like Michelle, Kelly/Barbie offered an updated version of her look. Her trademark push-up bra was back and beautiful, as we her kabooty shorts. However, we tended to see Barbie wear just-below the knee boots, sometimes with black knee covers, sometimes without. This look included knee covers in coordinating fabric but switched up the boots for of-the-moment sneakers’ sporty vibe. I’m drooling over the shimmering silver material! If the Big Dub wants to do a gear ‘shoot for this blonde bombshell too, I’m all for it.

Lita always had a grunge-y, streetwear theme to her gear that set her apart, even during the bada$$ Attitude Era..  She brought it back to life with this look, topping a pieced fishnet bodysuit with a grommet-trimmed marbled top that paid tribute to the Time’s Up movement. Her trademark cargo pants rounded out the look. I wasn’t surprised to see her thong peeking out above her pant-waist; I was surprised by the color though! Hot pink isn’t generally a shade I think of when Lita comes to mind :). I loved the unexpectedness of it, though and the bright pop in the midst of all the dark pieces. I almost wish she had let the bodysuit stand on its own though, as I think the slightly more edited styling would have given it greater impact. Black checkered sneakers brought one more pattern to the look, but were subtle enough to create an appealing texture, rather than looking overdone. I love how she stayed so true to her famous aesthetic, and totally delivered in the ring as well - seeing her pull off that moonsault again was glorious!

WWE has put together a gallery showcasing every lady champion that ever was, including all the various iterations of the belt(s). It's a fun look back to the past, highlighting some of the division's pioneers - The Fabulous Moolah, Alundra Blayze - as well as more recent ladies who paved the way for today's champions. From a fashion perspective, the gallery comes off like a style retrospective of ring gear through the years. The romper/unitards topped by jackets worn by Moolah and Mae Young gave way to the more athletic stylings of Alundra Blayze and her famous mock-neck top and leggings combo. Jacqueline's ring fashion took that sporty vibe as a starting point, but metamorphosized into a much sexier iteration, a concept that Sable pushed to new heights. Check out her latex catsuit with its thigh-high and beyond lace-up detail: it's spot on-trend for today! And just as smoking hot as it was then. Of course, it's hard to imagine an outfit that wouldn't be smoking with Sable in it ;).

Lita eschewed the traditional bombshell aesthetic in her gear, which was composed of straight-up street fashion: cargos, cropped tops, slogan tees. It was hot as h**l, but in a down-to-earth way that made it both appealing and accessible to WWE fashion fans of the era. In addition to her tremendous wrestling ability, Lita made fashion important to wrestling, while appearing to not especially care about it. Trish Stratus' looks had a similar point of inspiration, but incorporated a girl-next-door vibe that separated her from Lita's disaffected street urchin toughness. Molly Holly's looks were even more demure, focusing primarily on the athletic requirements of her pieces, spiced up with a bit of shine and an occasional foray into pretty, feminine colors: sherbet pinks and bright turquoises. There was a sweetness to her style which set her apart from many of the other ladies of the era.

Complexity entered ring gear with the advent of Mickie James' and Melina's reigns. Unique designs, gorgeous colors and bespoke details - the full palette of fashion seemed to collide with the concept of wrestling-wear. Mickie's crop top+pants combo became an instantaneous trademark, along with the luscious colors she gravitated to. Melina's looks were more dramatic - think one-person Cirque du Soleil :). Thigh cutouts, sheer insets,knee-high fur boots, patterns and metallics all caromed together to create her memorable looks. Beth Phoenix's superhero-esque metallic jumpsuits also arrived on the scene. Each of the ladies developed distinctive silhouettes or styles that set them apart. Michelle McCool used her various changes to mark separate eras in her character, not unlike the Undertaker has. The sweet and simple early pieces of her personal-trainer/schoolteacher gimmicks evolved into the cross-embellished halter top+lace-up leggings combination of her Faithful face era. I didn't appreciate at the time just how spectacular this particular gear is with the all-over crystals! I find the camo a bit busy (maybe that's why I missed the crystals ;)), but the jewel-work is spectacular. This snap was not widely released at the time, but it was used in promotions and, back in the day, Michelle cited it as one of her favorites so it's awesome to have a high quality version of it out and about! She exhcanged this style for the dark glamour of her heel turn, which included mostly dark fabrics embellished with crystal and studs. And that was succeeded by the Flawless Era which attained Fame-era Gaga-esque heights of fierceness. Layla came along for that ride and it brought her already-competent looks into truly amazing territory, something she maintained even after Michelle's departure. A few other ladies, including Natalya and Beth, took on the concept of metamorphosis-concurrent-with-persona - which led to the era which matched LayCool in fierceness: the maven-vixen Divas of Destruction, who ruled the ring in leather and spikes, softened with pin-up girl details like lace and bows. Barbie (Kelly) chose to stay with her hallmark push-up bra top and kabooty shorts from its inception until her retirement. And no surprise - it's hard to imagine it being improved on. This yellow-topped one was always one of my faves! (I'm sure you're shocked). Eve also carried the same chevron-waisted silhouette forward throughout her career, along she varied the sweetheart neckline extensively. Her gear was known for the myriad of stunning colors she employed: emerald green, bright melon, pale lilac, all embellished with hints of crystal, studs or sheers. Ditto Maryse, who explored variant after variant her keyhole-top+shorts combo with the most delicious, intriguing, luxurious combinations of color, embellishment, fabric and pattern. Nikki and Brie Bella were always closely in touch with the fashion world and they brought its influence even more closely into gear, breaking free of the idea of waiting for a persona change to update their ring-wear and using it as a way to freshen and reinvigorate their characters. Their looks run an unprecedented gamut from flamenco-inspired ruffled pieces to plunge-front catsuits to Britney Spears-influenced banded top+shorts combos that paired glam with a pop influence to the grunge-plaid era to today's sporty looks - which in a spine-tingling synchronatic way, brings ring gear full circle - back to its athletic beginnings.

Galleries seem to be a big thing in the Big Dub lately. They've decided to once again grace us with a collection of outtakes from various photoshoots. And why not - the first such release went over quite well. As with the original, there are some gems among the humdrums here. This shot of Eva Marie in her all-leather ensemble is as FIERCE as it gets. It's the studded bralette that does it, of course- holy metal, Batman! I love the way she rocks it, with the cropped vest left open above it. The way the metal stud reflect the neon lights of her light-saber props is icing on the cake. She also nails a second snap, an Americana-esque pairing of a knotted white tank and blue jeans. My favorite part ...well, ok parts :)..of this pic are her sultry pose (take notes, ladies!) and the silk oblong scarf in her hair! The silk piece is a gorgeous fabric and pattern and, despite the way it's casually wrapped around her curls, elevates the outfit. A girl could def get a lot of wear out of an accessory such as this! The next noteworthy snap comes from Lita, looking amazing in her trademark casual style. She updates her tank and baggy chinos with a floral-embroidered bomber jacket. The cranberry hade of her tank is absolutely stunning, and the way it's echoed by her lip color is superb. It's always a joy to get another taste of Lita's fashion sense! Renee's snap blasted on to my radar for obvious reasons - her insane pose (doing that in heels? Mad respect, girl...from a fellow stiletto-lover) and the amazing color of that dress! I am always sucker for clean yellow shades and this bright maize is just un-drab enough to meet my criteria. It's gorgeous on Renee! I'm a fan of the simple styling of this sheath as well; I do with the fabric were a touch heavier, though. I love how Renee grounded this sunshine-y color with black - it's a classic and powerful finish to yellow. To go a little further afield, you might consider navy, gray or metallic gold also. Then, there is Maryse, in her inimitably seductive zip bodysuit with corset belt and shimmering brassiere, paired with embellished OTKs. I really don't mind enjoying this outfit again - there's so much to savor! However, it was her pose that made me smile - it's a variation of her trademark talon-like gesture, this time aimed in support of the Miz. It's a slight metamorphosis, but infinitely enjoyable nonetheless. Lovely job, Maryse!

WWE is whetting your appetite for summer with a gallery of the hottest superstar bodies on its roster.  As it is has for the last few years, The Co., has used a collection of past photos (with a very, extra, super fine sprinkling of new ones :'(). The days of Summer Skin ( a multi-week release of 'shoot sets...literal *sets* from nearly every lady on the roster) seem to be a thing of the past. Oh, the nostalgia! All the feels, y'all. It was serious inspiration galore. I remember checking daily for releases, hanging on each new one. Le sigh. In a happier spin, however, we can re-live these scalding shots past in this gallery. There are reminders of favorite looks from Barbie/Kelly (that purple set is amazeballs), Maryse (don't you adore glittered bikinis?!), Michelle McCool (daw...she looks so fresh-faced and All-American girl!), Christy Hemme (just...HOT!)  and Eve (I always loved her willingness to try unusual prints and colors with her swimwear), as well as some shots from the Bellas, Eva Marie and Charlotte (a scorching TapOut shot...stay tuned for something special from Diva-Fierce which is tangentially related to that shot). Also included are awesome TBT's with Lita (gorgeous+bada$$ - does it get any better?), Stacy Keibler (lllllleeeeeeggggs. The end.) and Trish Stratus (omg I LOVE that yellow bikini!). If this gallery doesn't get you ready for bikinis and beaches and humidity and icy drinks, you may want to check your blood pressure ;). Lastly, I never realized how great a penchant WWE has for beach/bikini pics in front of rocks...but clearly, the evidence is before us :). It's amazing what you can get out of these galleries! So, head over to the .com and enjoy this one.

Mon night is one of fashion's big events: The Met Gala! It's held in conjunction with the Met Costume Institute's Fashion exhibit and is always a place and time where new directions for fashion begin. Each year has a theme and attendees are encouraged to dress in accordance with it. Past themes have included "Punk", the work of Elsa Schiaparelli (the contemporary and rival of Coco Chanel), and "American Woman". Watching the red carpet is a great way to get an insight on fashion's mood and where it's going to turn it's head next! This year's theme is Manus x Machina: Fashion In The Age Of Technology. That kind of title makes me think of very industrial, space-age kind of pieces - a bit grunge, a hint of goth, and lots of dark, rich colors, but especially fabrics with shine, or holographic textures. I can also picture a nod to the futuristic 80's, with strong shoulder silhouettes and defined waists. Metal and hardware are part of my vision as well: chains, studs, buckles...all three :) The Divas and KOs have had a number of moments that incorporate these themes. Most recent was Lana's fabulous trench from WrestleMania, but there's also Michelle's infamous trash bag dress and Lita's chain mail bikini. Velvet's leather, buckle-embellished corset feels right, as does Maria's super-studded strappy top (a favorite among many Divas several years ago) and studded belt and Kelly's lame' maillot. What do you think...will "Fashion In The Age Of Technology" mean industrial-inspired fashion? Or will it be about complexity, utilizing sophisticated stitching and piecing techniques and intricate prints and patterns that can only be created via technological advances? Or will it be about fashion's role in this technological age -one where style is about the antidote to all the electronica that surrounds us, and shifts into a more restful, grounding, bohemian basics era? Speak out in the comments! :)

A couple of months before WrestleMania, Renee was debating outfit choices for the big day on her blog, prettyfunnyblonde.com. One of her thoughts was a chic suit...which turned out to be what she ultimately chose. While she came up with a number of cool options, I really like this particular choice. It's very clean and sophisticated, but still unique, which is something we've come to expect from Renee's varied and often offbeat sense of style. The suit itself is marvelous! This shade of ivory is crisp, without being harsh. The strong shoulder and classic tailoring give it a hint of a menswear vibe, but that color, along with he beautiful, drapey fabric bring out the feminine side as well for a very appealing dynamic.  There's a subtle sexiness from the deep-v design, enhanced by her silver lariat (as an aside, ivory and silver is one of my favorite color pairings!). Her polished, refined low bun is a wonderful way to enhance the precision and minimalism of the look. She completely nailed this one!
*Edit: the suit is Elizabeth & James, as confirmed by Renee. It is the (sadly sold out) Morin Shawl Collar blazer. The (on sale at the Outnet) Natalie blazer from Rag & Bone is a sim.
Like Renee, Lita tends to put pieces together in a creative way. She was on hand at the Granddaddy Of Them All to reveal the brand new Women's Championship belt. She paired a lace and sequin embellished bodysuit with wide leg pants for a look that, at first glance, came off as a pantsuit due to the monochrome color scheme. No stranger to killer shoe choices (remember the bowed pumps that got us all talking at WM 3 years ago?;) ), she finished the look off with heeled oxford booties. Again, similar to Renee's outfit, this one had a wonderful interplay between masculine (the haberdashery-esque suiting pants and oxfords) and feminine (that gorgeous, glittering lace and the sheer inset). It was appropriately formal, but also professional. So, yes...I'm making it official: Lita slayed again.
We also get a tiny peek at Lilian's dress...and I so deeply madly wish we'd gotten a better look at this because I'm pretty sure it's my #1 favorite of all her looks from this WrestleMania. Firstly, the rich grape color is magnificent. Second, while the embroidered/jeweled high neckline reminds me of Jojo's HoF dress, Lilian's then blossoms into more embellishment at the wide waistband. This piece is divine and makes her look like a modern-day Maharajah. I'm in beautiful agony...more, please!