The Style Transformation of Coleen Rooney: From Ridiculed Teenager to Vogue Cover Girl with a Fashionable Courtroom Wardrobe

When Coleen McLoughlin met her future husband Wayne Rooney at the age of 12, she did not anticipate becoming one of the UK’s most photographed women. 

The duo began dating when they were 16 – fresh from the sporting ace’s Everton signing – and the football world’s youngest WAG soon became a tabloid favourite, with her conversation-sparking style choices hitting headlines. 

In her early days of stardom, Coleen, 37, became famed for her Juicy Couture tracksuits, garish gowns and huge hair – making her a pioneer of the WAG look – however she was cruelly dubbed ‘a chav’ by vile critics. 

At the time, she hit back, saying: ‘I haven’t set out to be famous, but I’m beginning to feel like I can’t win. I’m not the person the newspapers think I am…

‘And there’s all this hype, but I didn’t seek it. And I don’t understand that chav label. I don’t know what it’s supposed to mean. When you see someone in the paper, it’s so different to real life, isn’t it?’

However fast forward nearly two decades and the Vogue cover girl has reimagined herself entirely as she has swapped bright looks and sports luxe ensembles for bang on-trend get-ups – particularly her recent Wagatha Christie courtroom style. 

So how has Coleen’s style evolved? 

THE DESIGNER DAYS 

Aged just 18 and armed with a WAG’s bank balance, Coleen’s early days of headline-hitting fashion was focused entirely on one thing – labels. 

Every time the stunner was snapped, she was dripping in designer labels complete with four-figure handbags, blatant fashion house prints and more. 

Just some highlights of her designer wardrobe of the time were the delights of Juicy Couture tracksuits, Von Dutch hats and tees, Missoni aplenty and bright Pucci prints going as far as featuring on Wellington boots. 

UGG boots were having their day while Mukluk Boots were essentials to be worn with a Juicy tracksuit alongside Balenciaga’s City Bag – all looks Coleen ensured were in her teen, WAG in-training look-book to earn her title.  

When she was seen out and about in her native Liverpool, she was often seen heading to her favourite boutique Cricket. 

In 2003, aged just 16, Coleen was seen in her school uniform heading out of the shop with a vast and distinguishable paper bag from the luxury fashion retailer. 

In 2005, The Guardian branded Cricket ‘an unofficial footballers’ wives’ headquarters’ as a host of photographers would camp outside to catch a look at WAGS including Coleen, Alex Gerrard and Abbey Clancy. 

Hot on the heels of her ‘Cricket’ days, Coleen and Wayne were headed to the altar.  

Coleen and Wayne married in 2008 in a lavish ceremony in Italy, when they were both 22 and went on to welcome four sons Kai, 13, Klay, 10, Kit, seven, and Cass, five. 

THE RACES 

Like every self-respecting glamorous Liverpool lady, Coleen is a huge fan of Aintree Races and attends annually in an array of bold ensembles. 

Since rising to fame, she has been pictured over the years in a number of incredibly bold looks including pencil dresses in bright fuchsia and shocks of colour. 

Coleen’s race looks have evolved over the years, with her first years in the spotlight seeing the star in bold billowing ensembles before paring back as time went on. 

From 2008’s brightly-coloured mini dress with matching heels, come 2018 and Coleen proved she is something of a style swan when she dazzled in a mullet hem black dress with a choker detail and huge costume earrings. 

WITH THE OTHER WAGS 

Rubbing shoulders with fellow players’ wives can be daunting to a fresh-faced teen – yet Coleen took fraternizing with the likes of Victoria Beckham in her stride. 

Aged just 20, the stunner was pictured alongside Victoria at the Beckhams’ Pre-World Cup Party in Hertfordshire in May 2006.

Coleen opted for a blue strapless gown with a diamond necklace and her hair piled high in a sky-high bun to up the bright-eyed glamour. 

The same summer, she was part of the army of WAGs who occupied more headlines than their husbands in Baden Baden. 

Rubbing shoulders with Victoria, Cheryl Cole, Elen Rivas and more, she opted for muted ensembles in neutral tones – worlds away from her Juicy. 

COURT ROOM STYLE

Coleen’s style grew increasingly finessed as her time in the spotlight continued – with this proven when she went to war with fellow WAG Rebekah Vardy. 

In October 2019, Coleen took to Twitter to reveal one of her followers on her private Instagram account was leaking her stories to The Sun.

She explained that after an arduous investigation she had concluded Jamie Vardy’s wife Rebekah was to blame for intrusions – leading to the Wagatha Christie case. 

The duo went to court in a heated battle for defamation, with legal bills hitting a reported £500,000 each before Coleen proved victorious. 

During the court case last year, Coleen nailed her style icon status as she sashayed into court in a series of muted yet elegant ensembles. 

Due to an injury, she had her foot in a moonboot for the duration of the case however took the hindrance in her stride as she paired the look with a singular Gucci loafer alongside a number of chic looks. 

She was supported by husband Wayne at court where she wowed in chic looks paired with designer accents such as a Chanel bag and Yves Saint Laurent belt. 

In the wake of the court case, she scored the coveted cover spot on Vogue UK’s September issue – in which she stated: ‘It’s my story to tell’.