Fashion Face-Off Fail: Dana Perino and Kaitlan Collins Slammed for Wearing the Same “Old Lady” Jacket — And Neither Came Out a Winner

It’s not every day that two of America’s most high-profile female news anchors find themselves at the center of a fashion disaster. But this spring, Fox News’ Dana Perino and CNN’s Kaitlan Collins unknowingly stepped into a sartorial showdown — and unfortunately, both walked away on the losing side.

The culprit? A heavily embellished, white blazer from high-end fashion brand Veronica Beard, dotted with glimmering green rhinestones that aimed for “timeless chic” but landed somewhere closer to “Palm Beach grandmother.” While the “old money” aesthetic has recently seen a resurgence on runways, this jacket misfired spectacularly when styled by both women for high-profile media appearances.

The Jacket: Classic Concept, Clunky Execution

Let’s start with the piece in question. On paper, the Veronica Beard jacket had potential. With its structured shoulders and glitzy embellishments, the jacket could have struck a balance between vintage elegance and modern edge. The official styling on the Veronica Beard website paired the jacket with a matching miniskirt — creating a bold, preppy ensemble that might have played well with the right accessories.

Additionally, the brand recommended pairing the jacket with jeans for a more casual, youthful twist — an idea that could’ve added balance and approachability to the glitz.

But neither Dana Perino nor Kaitlan Collins took that route.

Instead, both opted for tailored white pants and buttoned the jacket closed — creating a nearly identical look that critics described as sterile, overly conservative, and — worst of all — outdated.

Dana Perino’s Attempt at Conservative Chic

Dana Perino wore the outfit for the Fox Nation “I Wish Someone Had Told Me” event in early spring 2025. In an Instagram “Fit Check” video posted by the anchor, Perino smiled alongside Kate DePetro, Karoline Leavitt, and her assistant Kieghan Nangle, showing off the now-infamous blazer in full.

Perino completed the ensemble with sleek white trousers and a pair of nude Louboutin heels — a staple of her clean, polished on-air style. But viewers and fashion watchers were quick to note that the outfit read more “country club elder board” than “powerhouse political pundit.”

The biggest issue? The jacket was buttoned up to the top, creating a boxy, overly structured look. Combined with the sparkle and the pristine pants, it stripped Perino of her usual sophistication and replaced it with stiffness.

Dana Perino on stage at the Fox Nation "I Wish Someone Had Told Me" event.

Fans who usually praise her style were confused. “This made Dana look ten years older,” one fashion blogger noted. “She usually nails elegance with a modern twist — but this missed the mark entirely.”

Kaitlan Collins: A Missed Opportunity for a Style Statement

As for CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, she appeared in the exact same jacket just weeks later — also pairing it with white pants and wearing it closed. While the timing of the two appearances remains unclear, side-by-side photos quickly flooded social media, igniting debates about “who wore it worse.”

Collins, known for her structured, fashion-forward looks, usually brings an edge to newsroom fashion. Her preference for tailored blazers, monochrome palettes, and bold silhouettes has earned her comparisons to younger icons like Amal Clooney and Meghan Markle.

But this time, critics say she played it too safe. “This look aged her,” one stylist commented. “The rhinestones, the white-on-white, the high neckline — it just flattened her out completely.”

Despite Collins’ commanding media presence, the outfit did her no favors — making her appear overly formal and far removed from her usual commanding aesthetic.

Social Media Reacts: “Retirement Home Realness”

The response online was swift — and brutal. Twitter (now X) users had a field day comparing the two looks, with many joking that Perino and Collins looked like they were headed to a Florida bingo night rather than hosting primetime segments on national television.

“Who wore it worse? The jacket. The jacket wore them both,” one tweet read.

Another posted, “I can’t tell if it’s news hour or a fashion segment on Golden Girls reruns.”

A third added, “I didn’t know ‘assisted living chic’ was trending.”

Of course, fans of both women came to their defense, arguing that they should be allowed to explore different styles and occasionally experiment — even if the results aren’t runway-worthy.

Kaitlan Collins poses with CNN colleagues.

The Real Problem: Styling or the Garment Itself?

While the garment itself was undoubtedly a bold choice, experts agree that the real issue wasn’t necessarily the jacket — it was the way it was styled.

“This was a classic case of poor styling killing a decent piece,” fashion journalist Miranda Lane told Style Insider. “The jacket could have worked. Open, with a pair of high-rise jeans and heels? Absolutely. But closed, over plain white pants, with no color contrast or edge? It becomes rigid and matronly.”

Some suggested even rolling the sleeves or adding a colorful belt or clutch could’ve helped inject some much-needed youth into the look.

The Rise — and Fall — of “Old Money Aesthetic”

In fairness to both women, “quiet luxury” and “old money aesthetic” have dominated fashion for the past two years. From Gwyneth Paltrow’s cashmere courtroom ensembles to Sofia Richie Grainge’s wedding looks, understated opulence is in — but it comes with a caveat: balance.

Wearing a sparkly vintage-style blazer with equally crisp trousers and neutral pumps leaves little room for contrast or modern flair. It can quickly veer into costume territory — as both Perino and Collins found out.

Had either anchor taken the risk further — maybe leather pants, statement earrings, or even an unbuttoned look with a colorful camisole underneath — the results could’ve turned heads for the right reasons.

CNN's Kaitlan Collins Twins With Dana Perino In Tacky Jacket That Ages Them Both

A Rare Misstep for Two Style-Conscious Stars

Despite this viral fashion flop, both women have long histories of style success. Dana Perino is often praised for her graceful, timeless wardrobe choices on The Five and The Faulkner Focus. Kaitlan Collins, with her younger audience, usually pulls off daring, structured pieces with ease.

This moment, while unfortunate, is far from career-defining — and if anything, it has humanized them. After all, who hasn’t worn something that looked better in the mirror than it did in the wild?

Final Verdict: A Cautionary Tale for the Camera-Ready

So who wore it worse?

The truth is, neither of them won — because the jacket itself was the real villain. But this double fashion fail did serve one purpose: a reminder that even the most accomplished, camera-ready professionals can fall victim to an over-styled, under-thought-out look.

Lesson learned: Just because a jacket is designer doesn’t mean it’s divine — especially when it comes with rhinestones, structure, and zero room to breathe.

And next time Dana and Kaitlan shop Veronica Beard? Here’s hoping they skip the sparkle — or at least don’t wear it at the same time.