Style War: Rihanna & Rita Battle It Out
They are both Jay-Z protégées and anarchic princesses of pop - and we couldn't help but notice Rihanna and Rita Ora's wardrobes share more than a passing resemblance too. Bring on the style war!
Rex FeaturesRihanna - Silver Streak
Not one to blend in, Rihanna takes to the streets in Oslo in silver separates and a pink visor. She tempers this in-your-face outfit (just barely) with a pastel knit.
Rex FeaturesRita - Silver Streak
But Rita’s been flexing her fashion muscle in metallic for weeks at this stage. The Hot Right Now singer goes big in matching courts and day-glo accessories.
WINNER: Rita owns this one.
Rex FeaturesRihanna – Airport Runway
A seasoned pro, Rihanna understands the importance of that post-flight pap shot. Her jersey trews and Letterman jacket combo may say 'comfort', but the superstar shades and skyscraper heels scream 'star'
PA PhotosRita Ora – Airport Runway
Evidently schooled in the art of Rihanna Airport Style, Rita out-Ri-Ris Ri-Ri in top-to-toe black leather – not a good look. Teamed with her hoodie and quirky specs, the look is more Biker Geek than Biker Chic.
WINNER: Rihanna, hands down.
PA PhotosRihanna - Suited and Booted
Surprisingly (or not, as may be the case) these are actually a pair of men's PJs by úber-chic brand Acne peeking through Rihanna's Raf Simons coat. It shouldn't work, but call us crazy, it does. Kudos to RiRi for thinking outside the fashion box and pulling it off with such finesse.
Getty ImagesRita Ora – Suited and Booted
Metallic skinnies, check. Feminine blouse, check. Super-luxe tux, check. This look sure ticks all our boxes.
WINNER: Rihanna earns our respect, but Rita Ora wins our hearts – we LOVE this look!
Rex FeaturesRihanna – Jackets as Dresses
Any style-savvy starlet knows that the perfect way to flaunt some enviable pins is with an oversized tuxedo jacket sans trousers, and RiRi proved just that on the streets of London recently.
Rex FeaturesRita Ora – Jackets as Dresses
Similarly, Rita teamed this fierce part leather part-frou-frou jacket dress with some killer Louboutins for a night out at London’s Whiskey Mist.
WINNER: Rihanna’s take on the trend is far more daring, and gets our fashion hearts racing. Another win for Ri-Ri.
WennRihanna – Urban Cool
RiRi came over all Rude Boy recently in London, sporting these oversized surf shorts with a basketball tee and trusty Converse.
Rex FeaturesRita Ora – Urban Cool
Whilst we love a little quirky touch here and there, even we can't forgive baggy embellished denim shorts. The banana print top and denim coat combo is strangely cute though...
[b]WINNER: Rita bags this one, barely.
Rex FeaturesRihanna – Print Perfect
When we first spied RiRi in this rather punchy snake-print pyjama two-piece, we marvelled at her fashion panache and super-sweet styling. Note the killer heels and glamazon sunglasses.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRita Ora – Print Perfect
And it seems Rita Ora liked it too. Almost six months later, Ri-O (don’t judge: we’re trying it out) opted for a floral jumpsuit and oh-so similar picture-perfect blonde locks, dressed down with whiter-than-white kicks.
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WINNER: Although a bold effort from the lovely Rita, this round has to go to Rihanna, whose sharp styling puts the competition in the shade.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRihanna - Flaming Hot
At on-off boyfriend Drake’s London concert, Rihanna made one hell of an entrance in this fiery micro-mini and heavy-duty OTK stiletto booties. Topping the look off with a devil-may-care leather bomber and another pair of super shades, this sure is one good girl gone bad.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRita Ora – Flaming Hot
At an album signing some five months later, Rita stepped out in this leather-look flame-printed cropped top and skirt combo. Showing off her enviable abs, Rita gave her quirky look a 90s twist, teaming it with a pair of trainers.
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WINNER: Rihanna’s thigh-high boots and T-shirt as mini dress is so fierce we’re actually in awe of her. Two-nil to RiRi!
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRihanna – Woman In White
There’s nothing quite like a LWD to pep up one’s wardrobe and we loved Rihanna’s directional take on the ol’ classic with a dip-back hem.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRita Ora – Woman In White
Taking a blanched leaf out of Rihanna’s book almost a year later, Rita packs a serious punch in her skin-tight mini, teaming the look – again – with trainers and a bold red lip.
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WINNER: Looking so Hot Right Now, we love, love, love Rita’s ensemble. Rita wins!
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRihanna - Fluffy Fantastic
Critics were divided by this big-bird-meets-turquoise-fashion-fantasy ensemble at the launch of her perfume in 2011, but we thought she looked pretty super-dooper.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRita Ora - Fluffy Fantastic
Working bushy turquoise somewhat differently, fearless Rita toughens up her Where The Wild Things Are-inspired jacket with biker-chic leather trousers and a mannish shirt. Hot!
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WINNER: This is a tough one. Despite being faced with a niche and difficult-to-pull-off look, both ladies do so with aplomb. However, we freakin’ loved RiRi’s fantastic feathered creation, proving tailored separates can be just as funky and fresh as her barely-there costumes.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRihanna - Backless Wonder
At the 2012 Grammy Awards, Rihanna’s simple Armani dress with a plunging back was the talk of the show. We totally dug how the elegant-yet-oh-so-sexy cut was set off by the bad gal tatts on display, too. A punk-pop-princess dream.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRita Ora - Backless Wonder
Hold. The. Front. Page. Looking absolutely breath-taking at a Cartier party in 2012, Rita proves she can do high-octane red carpet glamour with the best of ‘em.
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WINNER: This is completely neck-and-neck but we reckon Rita just edges it this time. The head of Hollywood curls, red lips and absolutely knock-out dress are a potent combo – easily our favourite Rita fashion moment to date.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRihanna - Military Maven
Never one to do things by halves, Rihanna goes for full army mode in this baggy trousers, oversized T and baseball cap look. But, ever the sexpot, we like the feminine twists in those cat-eye sunglasses and studded bag.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRita Ora - Military Maven
On a night at London hotspot Mahiki, Rita glams up her camo shirt with hot red lips and a matching bag, natch.
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WINNER: Rita emerges the clear winner from this one as she’s managed to make camouflage both super-cute and totally on trend.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRihanna – All-In-One
Out and about in London, Rihanna teams her new, girly long locks with a boyish denim jumpsuit. Going for the look hook, line and sinker, RiRi’s workman chic is topped off by heavy-duty Timberlands.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
GettyRita Ora - All-In-One
Going hell for leather in a black jumpsuit at an industry event, Ms. Ora manages to make this difficult look work with sky-high heels, lashings of jewellery and vampy, blood-red lips.
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WINNER: Hands down, this is Rita’s round. Despite the boyish tailoring, Rita keeps the looks sexy and so takes the style points.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRihanna – Get Shirty
Enjoying the balmy New York summer in 2011, Rihanna cools off in a simple oversized man shirt and a pair of interesting tan lace-ups.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
PacificCoastNews.comRita Ora – Get Shirty
A year later and Rita is also snapped enjoying summer in the city in an oversized sports shirt. Going for a different tack, Ms. O styles up the simple ensemble with a beanie and metallic disco boots... As you do.
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WINNER: In all honesty, this is our least favourite look on both of these girls. Between Rihanna’s weird brogue-come-creeper shoes and Rita’s shirt swamping her tiny frame, we think they’ve both lost out in this category. Nil points to both!
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRihanna – All Wrapped Up
There ain’t nothing like the bite of a chilly NYC winter. Luckily for Rihanna she kept the cold at bay in early 2012 with a heavy duty wool and leather hooded coat, obligatory sunglasses and leather-look converse and leggings.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
gettyRita Ora – All Wrapped Up
When you’re a pop mega-star, the hours can be long and the travelling arduous – which is why Rita opted for a sporty ensemble to keep it comfortable.
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WINNER: Rihanna pips Rita to the post on this one. There’s something about her easy-breezy yet effortlessly-cool styling that excites us more than Rita’s trackie bums.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRihanna - Suit To Suit
As a fashion chameleon, it’s no surprise that Rihanna has sleek, elegant and sharper-than-sharp tailoring in her fashion artillery. This white suit, at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, pretty much knocked our socks off.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRita Ora – Suit To Suit
Rita followed suit (ha!) at the 2012 NME Awards in a similar long-line white outfit. We loved this look all the way from the nude peep-toes and smokey eyes to the white clutch and fun knuckle-duster rings.
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WINNER: While Rita more than proves she’s worth her fashion salt here, this one has to go to Rihanna. The red hair with the white suit is already the stuff of fashion legend.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRihanna - Denim Diamond
Where’s Wally? Oh wait, that’s just Rihanna. Making leggings and heels feel bang on trend again, the Disturbia hitmaker tops off her look with a frayed-edge, long-line denim jacket.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
WennRita Ora – Denim Diamond
Raising the bar for airport style somewhat (seriously, why can’t we ever find anything this punchy for the plane?), Rita worked her fashion magic on this Aztec-print denim jacket teamed with loud boyfriend-cut jeans and a bright, bright hat.
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WINNER: If this was a battle of the beanies, we’d probably go with Rita’s day-glo one. But, alas, this is a denim jacket-off, and we’re going with RiRi. That’s all.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Rex FeaturesRihanna – Prom Night
When you’re attending a 100 Most Influential People in the World Gala for Time Magazine, you’ve got to make a sartorial splash. Which is exactly what Ri did when she completely subverted her bad gal image in this in this sugary purple princess dress.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
Getty ImagesRita Ora – Prom Night
Prom dress and trainers? Rita might almost have taken her cue from Lily Allen’s early days with this one.
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WINNER: A good prom queen always wears heels with her dress – so this is another victory for Rihanna. Her completely safe red carpet choice was actually pretty wild... For her.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
PA PhotosAnd The Winner Is...
Although a very nobly contested style war by both girls, Rihanna just scoops the gong on this one, with 9 points to Rita’s 7. Although not a bad effort for the R.I.P. songstress - who has only just started making waves this year – we have to give credit where credit is due, and once again Rihanna’s ever-evolving style puts her in poll position.
WHO WORE IT BEST?
RIHANNA: STYLE EVO
