Rachel Recchia’s latest “Bachelorette” dress has fans in their arms.
Bachelor Nation didn’t hand out any fashion roses after last night’s episode, and many took to social media to toast the reality star’s puff-sleeved dress — and “Bachelor” franchise stylist Cary Fetman spoke out in support of her look.
The fashion guru, who has spent the past two decades working on the ‘Bachelor’ franchise, took to Instagram to set the record right after many fans wondered if “he hates Rachel” after the reality star wore repeated outfits, the public was considered flops.
“For anyone who thinks I hate her, let’s just talk about this dress tonight,” he wrote, sharing several photos of 26-year-old Recchia in the red look. “If you had the once in a lifetime chance to be the bachelorette; 1: Would you choose to enjoy high fashion clothes that you would probably never wear again? Or 2: a sexy over-the-top black sequin dress or sexy silk? Vote 1 or 2?”
Fetman’s comments came after Recchia wore AZ Factory’s divisive red dress ($647, originally $1,617) on a museum date with worshiper Zach Shallcross, and its huge puff sleeves made viewers rush to Twitter last night to share their thoughts.
“Are Rachel’s sleeves full of tissues she can use when she cries? a Twitter user wrotewhile another said:Rachel’s red dress is the dumbest thing I’ve seen in ages. She looks like a 90s NFL player with those pads.”
Indeed, many got football vibes from the look, such as the Bachelor Nation member putting a cartoon helmet on the head of the “Bachelorette” lead.
Quarterback comparisons weren’t the only ones tossed around on Twitter; a fan compared her dress to James Marsden’s Prince Edward in ‘Enchanted’, while others thought it looked more like it Lord Farquaad from Shrek.
And Anne of Green Gables did not stay outside the tweets, with multiple viewers Comment that Rachel’s dress resembled the beloved character’s “puffiest in the world” ensemble.
As for Recchia – who shares the lead duties with friend Gabby Windey, 31, this season – she seemed to be on board with the puffy action.
“I love you!” she commented on Fetman’s post, then jokingly added “we hate each other” after the stylist wrote, “I kinda like you? Or maybe hate or just love having fun with you?!!! I can’t even post tonight.”
The look may be a bold departure from Recchia’s usual style, which Fetman told Entertainment Weekly she describes herself as “mother of the bride,” but the “Bachelorette” star seemed confident in the dress during the dramatic episode — and that deserves a rose in our book.