If 2024 taught us anything, it’s that you are never confined to the parameters you’ve created. Case in point: Addison Rae. The notable TikTok star managed to break through the door of social media influencer purgatory and twirl her way into the Pop Girls playroom. I must admit that, like many, I was an Addison Rae skeptic initially — but mostly because I did not think it was important to keep up with every influencer dancing on the clock app. My first positive introduction to her was when she dropped her single “Obsessed” in 2021. Contrary to the general public’s reaction, I loved the song. It is still on my Spotify top-liked songs list. Maybe I was a bit early to the party, but as we all learned this year, Addison Rae is now making music everyone, not just me, seems to like. Case in point: “Diet Pepsi,” an absolute banger of a single that came with a change of personal style and a cosign from the “365” party girl Charli XCX.
Whether I was a skeptic or a fan, Rae’s fashion sense has always interested me because there’s something campy about everything she puts on. I’m not sure if it’s her earnest girl-next-door demeanor or her inescapable cringe — a byproduct of her TikTok career — that piques my interest. Still, I am tuned in, especially since everything feels overwhelmingly picture-perfect these days. Even the “hot mess” influencers have assistants and videographers to capture their “messy and authentic” lifestyles. It’s exhausting. But Rae, with her overly excited and slightly enduring persona, feels somewhat different. Some might say it’s method acting for the day her Brittney Spears biopic audition comes around — though she already said she’s got no interest — but there’s something fun about leaning into the opposite of nonchalance and that honesty is what made me want to copy her outfits.
In a recent podcast, Rae opened up about her personal style journey, saying: “I think in the beginning I was a really big ‘yes’ girl. I remember a few years ago, people would be like: ‘Oh my God, she has no taste, no style.’ I’m like, ‘Sorry, I was excited about everything that was getting sent to me.’ I would get a package from a random brand and I’d feel like I had to wear everything in there because it was so exciting and new. But then, as I got older and as I’ve gone deeper into my career, deeper into myself, and gotten more comfortable with saying no — or accepting that sometimes things need to pass you by for other things to come up — I really honed in on my style and my personal taste.”
There’s something alluring about being receptive to change. It’s why Rae is making the seamless jump from TikToker to music artist and fashion girlie. There’s freedom when you embrace the cringe, something I found myself doing in this installment of the series. Change is the leading factor in my world and the reason this is my last CTRL+C as we know it. There’s excitement in that, and I cannot wait for you all to see what this sweet column will be like in the new year.
So, without further ado, for a week, I tried to recreate a few of my favorite Addison Rae looks as closely as I could as a plus-size woman. This was one of the first times I felt like it was an absolute success, and if you disagree, I don’t really care! See, isn’t it fun to stand firm in your cringe? Whether you are looking for inspo or are simply here for the rise, here are some plus-size-approved options to channel your inner “Diet Pepsi” diva.
Day 1: Baddies love Brittney
When I said Addison Rae was the epitome of camp, I meant it. Troye Sivan beat me to it for Halloween, but this look was at the top of my list to recreate. I think it is so unserious of her to be walking down the street reading the Brittney Spears memoir. What is she trying to prove? That she is coordinated enough to walk and read at the same time? Show off! This look in itself felt very integral to the girl she first was. Between the baseball-style top, mini skirt, and ballet flats, the outfit is a bit chaotic and undone. I think that’s what makes it memorable. Sourcing this look was rather easy, which is another reason why I think Rae’s style is fun. Many of her viral fashion or street-style moments are super easily attainable — maybe because of the platform she originated on and the audience she gained through it. The top is from Hollister, the skirt is from Amazon, and the shoes are from Everlane.
Day 2: Faux Fur — no to Faux Pas
This second look is one of my favorites, and the one my coworkers said looks like the most “Aiyana look” of the bunch — and I have to agree. Sourcing this look was a bit troublesome, mostly because of the white frilly top. As you can see, I did not obtain one, and I was saddened that it was so difficult to find. The closest one I saw was on Reformation. But as the great Mariah Carey once said: “I’mma do the best I can with what I got.” The top I chose is a repeat from Good American (whoever DMs me first and tells me what previous CTRL+C it’s from wins my love and adoration). As a Cowboy Carter listener, I decided to explore the Levi’s jeans world to see what they had over in those parts. I tried out a few pairs and realized that I am very tall, so most fit like high-waters, but this specific pair of “mom jeans” was a perfect fit. The coat that I truly am obsessed with came from Eloquii — a constant winner in my closet. Shoes are the iconic Sambas from adidas that I’ve seen on just about everyone’s feet. And the hot red purse is from Stoney Clover. My jewelry is from Pandora. This look made me feel extra confident, but I can honestly say this entire go around I felt good in everything I was wearing. I am not sure quite yet if it is the magic of Miss “Diet Pepsi” or something greater.
Day 3: Low, low, low-rise jeans
I want to start immediately by saying that, as a girl who has always had a stomach, low-rise jeans will never be my favorite thing. Is this mostly because society has pounded into me for years that the sight of my stomach would be potentially offensive and slightly reckless? Absolutely. But I must admit that while wearing my pants as low as Addison has hers would never be on my to-do list, I think I look hot. So, it was a win for the girlies and a major L for the naysayers who constantly made me feel like my body wasn’t deserving of wearing the things skinny girls do. The jeans and shoes are from ASOS, the top is from Spanx, the headpiece is from Amazon, and the prescription glasses are from Eyemart Express in Columbia, South Carolina. (Shout out to my birthplace.) Overall, I think I’d wear this look again. It feels silly yet stylish, which seems to be the pillar of a good Addison Rae look.
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Day 4: Sporty Spice
This specific look felt very early 2000s gym class, but it's through the lens of a popular girl who refuses to perspire. The top is from Urban Outfitters, a brand I’d never worn before today. The pants are from Forever 21, a brand I religiously wore between the ages of 11 and 19. So this mix truly felt like a return and adventure into worlds I know well and not at all. A conflicting fashion shopping experience kinder to my Gemini sun. The shoes are Nike and made me feel like I was back playing junior varsity basketball. Being a wired IT girl for the day was fun, even though I got many confusing stares at the Condé Nast office. I do understand that wearing gym shorts in the middle of December is a bit jarring, though. I think what was the most fun about this installation was how close I got to most of Rae’s looks. It made me excited to put on each outfit that followed. I think there’s something to be said about how access to trends, fun clothes, and the things we want can affect us emotionally.
Day 5: Black Widow
When talking about the scale in which I committed to the look and was successful, this one unfortunately falls to the bottom. But 5 out of 6 is still a passing grade in my book. I could not for the life of me find something similar to what Rae was wearing. But that is expected as it is custom Dilara Findikoglu! I included this look because, quite frankly, it is very hot and such a fun moment in Rae’s fashion Rolodex. This outfit was a marker that her evolution was upon us, and she was taking many sartorial pages from her good friend Charli XCX. There is something elevated and brand new about this moment that I love. (Dilara is also one of my favorite designers at the moment, so that is probably playing into it as well.)
While I think I look amazing, I think my look was giving a “ten-minute challenge” during an episode of Project Runway more than a custom look. My dress is actually a skirt from the brand What Lo Wants, which is a very stylish shopping spot for plus-size fashion lovers. I twisted its inner lining into a halter top to mimic Rae’s dress. The shoes are from Vaila, a newer brand I’ve been loving lately. Overall, I think I look great, so that has to count for something. Addison Rae, you’ve won this round!
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Day 6: If swans could talk —and walk
As you all might’ve noticed, we’ve never done a head-on CTRL+C red carpet look. But, as this is my swan song, I wanted to step entirely out of my comfort zone. That is, at its core, what this whole experiment and column is about — putting myself in the things that scare me, exposure therapy if you will, so that someday in the near future, I’ll know what I want to wear and I won’t ever shy away from wearing it. The moment the camera panned to Addison on the VMAs carpet, I knew I had to recreate this look. I was obsessed. The nods to Madonna, the freedom, the varying internet opinions. Whether you loved or hated the moment, everyone was talking about it. And that is what a star should do: create conversation. I thought this red carpet moment by Dara Allen was so very integral to the image Rae is trying to build. It pays homage to the past while drawing you into whatever future she wants. Sourcing this look was quite easy. The undergarment set is from Adore Me, my tutu is from Amazon, and the shoes are from Badgley Mischka.
I will not lie; I was so nervous to shoot in this. I even requested our video person to close his eyes for four minutes until I decided that I looked good and I shouldn't care to hide myself from the public.
Over the last few months, I’ve been on a health journey that has unraveled my world in many ways. Going back into this column also forced me to address the many ideas about myself and my body that I normally kept locked away neatly in my compartmentalization chest. My body has gone through changes in the last few months that, in part, made this installation of the series easier. I no longer had the agonizing fear in my workplace bathroom, wondering if something was going to fit — taking me back to my childhood of feeling less than because I was in a larger body. This time around, I could walk out knowing the pieces fit, and that changed my mood immensely. Even having that thought felt complicated. Mostly because everyone, no matter their size, should get to feel that. I know the version of myself that shot this first iteration back in December of 2022 wanted that. She deserved it.
In 2024 alone, we’ve seen the rescinding of plus-sizes across many clothing brands, and that absence has been felt. CTRL+C started as a spur-of-the-moment idea thrown on my Twitter Circles (R.I.P.) that became so much more. It has shaped so much of me at Teen Vogue and probably will continue to shape me as the years go on. It’s brought me a community in ways I never would have imagined. Ever since I started doing theatre in middle school, I have held a belief very close to me: When thinking about my work, I’d always say that I wanted to be a part of something bigger and greater than myself. I think CTRL+C has become bigger than I am, and it should live farther than just my closet and mind. In the last two years, trying out celebrity styles, I’ve found my voice and my style. It’s given me confidence my 12-year-old fashion-obsessed self could only dream about. 2025 will be an even greater year filled with changes and dreams explored. And I hope you’ll tune in for them all.
— xx, Aiyana
