Nicola Peltz Accused of 'Mocking' Victoria Beckham With Noticeable Style Transformation

In the world of celebrity fashion, a choice of clothes is rarely just a choice of clothes, especially for a Peltz-Beckham. As 2026 began, Nicola Peltz sparked a digital firestorm, leaving royal watchers and fashion fans questioning the true intent behind her latest style shift.

Nicola, 30, and her husband, Brooklyn Beckham, 26, recently shared a series of New Year's posts that suggested more than a fresh start. The actress debuted a striking new look, marked by a sculpted, broader smile and a wardrobe dominated by monochrome, sharply tailored black ensembles. While a style evolution is standard for any Hollywood star, the specific nature of Nicola's transformation has prompted claims that she is 'mockingly mirroring' the signature polished look of her mother-in-law, Victoria Beckham.

Nicola's Style Shift Sparks Victoria Comparisons

The similarities are difficult to ignore. For decades, Victoria Beckham has made the 'all-black, oversized shades and slicked-back hair' aesthetic her global trademark. Now, Nicola appears to be adopting that exact uniform. Critics and insiders suggest the timing is far from coincidental, given the well-documented rift that has plagued the family since Nicola and Brooklyn's lavish 2022 wedding.

The roots of this animosity are often traced back to the 'wedding dress fiasco', where Nicola famously wore custom Valentino after reportedly being told Victoria's atelier could not complete her gown in time. Tensions were further exacerbated during the reception when Marc Anthony's gushing tribute to Victoria allegedly left the bride in tears.

Observers have noted that Nicola now displays what stylists are calling a 'copycat Victoria look'. The shift isn't merely about the clothes; it extends to her physical presence. Her brighter, fuller smile has fueled speculation that she is meticulously crafting a persona that occupies the space Victoria once held in Brooklyn's life.

'Those close to the rift on both sides are shocked at Nicola's new looks,' one source shared. 'They feel she is posing as Victoria, and sending the message she is now filling her space in Brooklyn's life now he has totally frozen her and his dad out of his life.'

Another insider added: 'Even if there was no conscious effort to echo anyone else's look, the similarities were always going to be noticed given the history there. In the context of an already tense relationship, it has been folded into the ongoing story people tell about the rift, fairly or unfairly, and has taken on a significance beyond a simple cosmetic or wardrobe change.'

Psychological Shifts in the Nicola and Victoria Rift

While the 'mockery' narrative gains steam, some experts suggest a more internal motivation for Nicola's makeover. Changing one's appearance can often be a coping mechanism during periods of intense public and personal scrutiny. One fashion expert, specializing in the psychology of style, noted that such transformations can provide a 'genuine psychological lift'.

'When we make a change to our appearance and genuinely like the result, the brain responds by releasing a powerful mix of feel-good chemicals,' the expert explained. 'Dopamine, in particular, is tied to reward from changes.' They further noted that even minor aesthetic tweaks, like a new lipstick or a dental adjustment, can trigger the release of serotonin and oxytocin. 'This is what Nicola could be after as she and Brooklyn get deeper into their feud with his family.'

The backdrop to this fashion drama is a family dynamic that appears to have reached a breaking point. Brooklyn, once the golden boy of the Beckham clan, is now reportedly in a state of 'slow-burning estrangement' from his parents, Sir David, 50, and the former Spice Girls star, Victoria.

The situation reached a fever pitch in early 2026 when reports emerged that Brooklyn had issued a formal legal notice — a 'cease and desist' — demanding his parents stop tagging him on social media or contacting him directly. This legal wall was allegedly triggered when Victoria 'liked' a video of Brooklyn cooking roast chicken, which he viewed as a breach of his requested boundaries.

The friction, which famously began over Nicola's choice not to wear a Victoria Beckham-designed gown at her wedding, has hardened into a total lack of contact. Brooklyn has consistently aligned himself with his wife's billionaire heiress lifestyle in the US, notably skipping major family milestones, including his father's 50th birthday and his recent knighthood ceremony in London. While Victoria and Sir David attended the Windsor Castle ceremony in November 2025 where he was honored for services to sport and charity, Brooklyn remained conspicuously absent.

'There is a feeling on both sides that lines were crossed and never properly addressed,' a source noted. As the public silence between the two camps grows, Nicola's new 'Posh' aesthetic serves as a visual reminder of a family divided, leaving fans to wonder if this is a peace offering in the form of flattery or the ultimate sartorial snub.