Listen, I have never needed an excuse to be extra.
Give me a little fur trim, some rhinestones, a fabulous pair of jeans that make my butt look good, and suddenly I have somewhere to be. Do I actually have plans? That’s beside the point.
And while everybody has been talking about the return of Y2K fashion, I need us to get a little more specific. Because what I’m really here for is the McBling era.
The rhinestone logos, the fur-trimmed jackets, the embellished denim, the baby tees and the kind of outfits that made absolutely no attempt to be subtle. It was flashy, playful and unapologetically extra.
Basically, me in fashion form.
And listen, my love for Baby Phat goes beyond the clothes. I was a fan of Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane, and recently, I found myself watching Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane. Partly for the nostalgia, but also because I wanted to see what Kimora Lee Simmons was up to as a CEO. Watching her navigate business, fashion and family while still bringing that signature glamour reminded me why I was drawn to Baby Phat in the first place.
So imagine my reaction when I saw that True Religion x Baby Phat had teamed up for their first-ever collaboration.
Two brands that helped define early-2000s fashion, bringing back the denim, the glamour and the kind of statement pieces that make you want to plan an entire outfit around a jacket?
Oh, we need to talk.
Why This True Religion x Baby Phat Collaboration Has My Attention
As a fashion journalist covering plus size style, I’ve spent plenty of time looking at collections through two lenses: what makes a piece exciting and how it might actually work for curvy women.
And as someone who genuinely loves the McBling aesthetic, this collaboration immediately had my attention.
What I appreciate about this particular era of fashion is that it didn’t shy away from personality. The logos were meant to be seen. The rhinestones were supposed to sparkle. And if a jacket came with a little fur trim? Even better.
There was something wonderfully excessive about it all.
And if you grew up watching Kim Parker on The Parkers, you already know that curvy girls had their own relationship with this kind of fashion. The fitted silhouettes, bold colors and unapologetic attitude? Kim understood the assignment.
That’s part of why this collaboration feels so fun to revisit.
True Religion brings its signature denim, recognizable stitching and statement back pockets. Baby Phat brings the glamour, crystals, satin and playful femininity that made the brand such a recognizable part of early-2000s fashion.
Together, they’re revisiting an aesthetic that was never interested in blending into the background.
And judging by the pieces in this collection, neither brand has suddenly developed a taste for subtlety.
Let’s Talk About the Jeans, Because the Booty Matters
Now, before we get into my favorite pieces, we need to have a conversation about denim.
As a curvy girl, finding jeans that fit well, look good and give you a little something extra in the back can feel like a whole production.
I need my jeans to accommodate my hips without creating that ridiculous gap at the waist. I want a flattering fit through my thighs. And when I turn around, I would appreciate seeing that my butt has not mysteriously disappeared.
Is that too much to ask?
One thing I’ve always appreciated about True Religion and Baby Phat is how both brands made the backside part of their denim identity.
True Religion’s horseshoe stitching, decorative back pockets and distinctive denim silhouettes were designed to draw attention. Baby Phat embraced fitted jeans, embellishments and body-conscious styling.
And while a decorative back pocket alone doesn’t guarantee a flattering fit, placement, proportion and construction can make a noticeable difference in how jeans look from behind.
That’s why I’m particularly curious about the denim in this collection.
The low-rise silhouettes are giving early-2000s nostalgia, but as someone with curves, I’m also paying attention to how those rises might sit on fuller hips and how the jeans are cut through the seat and thighs.
Because I want the look, but I also want to sit down comfortably.
Six True Religion x Baby Phat Pieces I’m Eyeing
Crystal Shrunken Jacket
Because subtlety was never the McBling assignment! The crystal embellishments and cropped silhouette bring that signature True Religion x Baby Phat attitude, making this the kind of denim jacket that turns even a simple outfit into a whole moment.
Sizes available: XXS- XXL
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Denim Fur Flap Skirt
By Baby Phat X True Religion
A denim mini with fur-trimmed pockets? Baby, this is McBling in skirt form! It's playful, a little rebellious and exactly the kind of statement piece that makes getting dressed fun again.
Sizes available: 23- 34
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Maddie Low Rise Super T Flap Baggy Jean
By Baby Phat X True Religion
Who said baggy jeans can't have a little booty appeal? The signature Super T stitching and flap pockets bring personality to a relaxed silhouette. It's giving laid-back McBling with a little extra attitude.
Sizes available: 23 - 34
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Joey Ultra Low Rise Flare Jean
By Baby Phat X True Religion
The flare, the signature stitching and the booty-enhancing back pockets? Oh, we see the vision! These jeans bring back that early-2000s denim attitude, with a silhouette made for showing off your favorite heels.
Sizes available: 23 - 34
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Crystal Satin Bomber Jacket
By Baby Phat X True Religion
Satin, crystals and a little attitude? Say less! This bomber brings the McBling glamour without requiring an entire outfit overhaul. Throw it on and let the jacket do the talking.
Sizes available: XXS - XXL
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Crystal Patch Faux Leather Jacket
By Baby Phat X True Religion
Listen, a good leather look is practically a fall wardrobe requirement, and you need at least ONE piece in your rotation! Between the crystal details and statement patches, this jacket brings that McBling attitude while giving your fall outfits a little extra edge.
Sizes available: XXS - XXL
Shop NowTrue Religion x Baby Phat Took Their Collaboration to the Runway
The brands officially unveiled their limited-edition collection on Oct. 27 with a runway show inside a transformed private hangar in Van Nuys, California with .
The event brought together fashion, music and entertainment, with live performances from Yume and Justine Skye. MAC Cosmetics provided the makeup, while Cécred handled hair for the presentation.
The collaboration also features a campaign titled “Making the Campaign,” starring Aniya Harvey and Kayda Bosse.
Inspired by early-2000s reality television and MTV’s Making the Video, the campaign incorporates wardrobe moments, confessionals, fit checks and behind-the-scenes footage.
Which, considering the era these brands helped define, feels entirely appropriate.
After all, McBling wasn’t just about the clothes. Music videos, celebrity style and pop culture helped turn certain fashion pieces into must-have items.
And True Religion and Baby Phat were right in the middle of that conversation.
But Can the Curvy Girls Get in on the Fun?
As much as I’m enjoying this collaboration, there’s one question I always come back to when looking at fashion collections.
What about the sizing?
Because while I love the nostalgia of McBling, I don’t necessarily want every part of early-2000s fashion to make a comeback.
We can bring back the rhinestones, the fur trims, the fitted baby tees and the embellished jeans without bringing back the limited options that many plus size women experienced during that era.
And although both brands have a history of designing denim that emphasizes curves, celebrating a curvy silhouette and offering an inclusive size range are two different things.
For this collection, shoppers should check the individual product measurements and size charts before purchasing, particularly with the low-rise denim.
Personally, I want the whole experience. The fabulous jacket, the jeans that make my butt look good and the freedom to participate in a trend without feeling like my body is an afterthought.
Because if we’re going to revisit an era known for being extra, shouldn’t more of us get to join the fun?
McBling Is Back, and I’m Not Complaining
There’s something refreshing about fashion that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
I love a sophisticated, tailored look as much as the next fashion girl, but sometimes I want crystals. Sometimes I want fur trim. Sometimes I want a jacket with enough personality to make an entrance before I do.
And sometimes I just want a pair of jeans that makes me turn around in the mirror and say, “Okay, I see you!”
That’s what makes this True Religion x Baby Phat collaboration so appealing to me.
It’s a reminder that fashion can be playful, expressive and a little outrageous.
And frankly, I could use more of that in my closet.
The limited-edition collection is available through True Religion and Baby Phat.
Now, I want to hear from you.
Are you here for the return of McBling fashion? Are we bringing back the rhinestone logos, embellished denim and statement jackets? Or are you leaving that era right where it was?
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