FashionHap: Catchups - Mid Oct'16

October found Barbie exploring sage green via this simple and modern coord set. While the popularity of cords over the summer left me pretty short on tolerance for more of them, I don’t mind this one. I like it’s cleansing, unembellished styling and Barbie’s soft pairing of pale beige lace-up sandals. If I could change one thing about the look, it would be to tweak her hairstyle. This flat, central part is a bit harsh; the 70’s-esque side-part that she‘s done beautifully so often would have complemented the muted vibe of this look better.
Brandi’s white pantsuit puts me strongly in mind of the Halston dress Brie wore to the ESPYs earlier this year. I’m sure it’s due to the minimalist design and the smooth sheen of the metal plate belt, echoed at the neckline. This kind of pared-down chic aesthetic always rocks my world and Brandi’s look is no exception. I wish we had gotten a glimpse at her shoes, but really you couldn’t go wrong here with pumps of any iteration.
A fun top, skinny jeans or leggings and OTK boots seem to be Becky’s look. Note the singular. I’m teasing, of course…well, half- teasing because it’s certainly a signature for her. The good thing about that is that it’s a functional  trademark that works really well on her. If you’re going to wear a look a lot, you want it to tick those two boxes! This variation involves a pretty double-layered top in a standout shade of coral-orange, a color I wouldn’t have immediately thought if for her because of her orange hair, but which looks fantastic on her and makes her just glow! I can forgive a lot for that glorious color, so I’ll happily give Becky a free pass on about the third variation of a top+jeans+OTKs, but I also have my fingers crossed that she changes it up a smidge sometime. I’m not talking crazy stuff, like a dress or anything, but maybe just some ankle boots…or a chunky sweater :)
Alexa is demonstrating a knack for cute combos with an urban edge to them. Here, she pairs a “Sorry Not Sorry” graphic tee with faux leather leggings. She layered the tee over a second top (for warmth, I assume, but it also adds another dimension to the styling, lengthening the line of her tee and letting it flow smoothly into her leggings. My favorite part of her outfit is this ellipse-dot printed cropped jacket. Even though a blazer like this is usually a fairly formal piece, the print and material give this one a casual flair that still manages to elevate the rest of her super laidback look. The juxtaposition totally works! She also gets Fierce pointsfor her pigtails. I’m not usually a fan of them as they can come off very cutesy and little girl-ish, but this low placement, combined with her side-swept bangs give them more of a cool girl feel. Lastly, I have to give a shout-out to this totally AWESOME Halloween eyeliner! The thorn-like swirls make me think of a spider web and that is fantastically appropriate, as well as looking afreakinmazing.

We got two lovely looks from Cathy which walked the line between summer and fall. The first was a black romper with a sexy plunge front, which she accentuated by her addition of a slim body chain. This styling is a superb example of how to do ‘sexy’ in a classy way! Her double-buckled belt carries the hint of silver throughout the outfit and makes an attractive variation on a more traditional design. Her second look was a classic combo of a sheath with OTK boots, given a trendy pop via her black choker and provided with punch due to the lovely hot coral color. The size of this print is excellent – it’s bold, without being large enough to overwhelm a small frame like Cathy’s. Also note the tailoring on this piece – the waist is strongly defined, while the skirt flares outward from it in almost a bell shape. It’s cut designed to highlight curves and performs that role perfectly.
*Edit: That fabulous dress is from MGSM, while Cathy's boots are Steve Madden. Her sper-fancy choker is (per her note) the handle she took off of a Sephora bag :). So, don't forget Fancies: DIY is always an option! :)
Charlotte, like Barbie, went for the coord set in October. This one is a simple black affair that combined a v-neck top and a pencil skirt. It’s a great foundation, but I can’t help wishing she’d given it a spike of something or other to let it create a stronger impression. It could have been as little as a short, tiny pendant, although I wouldn’t have said “no” to a slouchy satin-lapel blazer either ;). I like this, but I find it a touch bland, which is kind of ironic considering her incredible over-the-top look form Hell In A Cell. Her non-competition looks are as minimal as her in-ring style is flamboyant and glamorous. Maybe she needs the one to balance out the other; it would be completely understandable! Her HIAC is a classic example of her second style persona. This sheer black lace robe with its golden edging is just magnificent! Between the glitter, the feminine lace and the luxurious gold, the piece is fit for a Queen. Her choices in these robes have been flawless. They’re dramatic and eye-catching but show enough restraint that they never stray into over-the-top territory, making them less of a caricature and more of an authentic expression of her persona. It’s the right move for this era in wrestling and not easy to achieve. I applaud Charlotte for it and look forward to her continued variations on this theme. The gear she wears beneath is equally well-chosen: a crystal-emblazoned metallic gold version of her hallmark gear, edged with bold, black piping. We’ve seen gold-on-gold and gold paired with lighter colors from a number of divas, but the black offers a stronger contrast and greater presence that makes this combo work fabulously.