In the world of fashion, if pink had a written history, Legally Blonde would undoubtedly be entitled to its own chapter. Two decades ago, this iconic film burst onto the scene, making the color pink its visual North Star. Elle Woods, the film's heroine, dazzled us with her sparkling pink bikini for her Harvard "admissions essay" and rocked a killer bubblegum dress in court. Legally Blonde not only embraced pink; it celebrated it, elevating this color to a whole new level of cultural significance. The pink used throughout Elle’s wardrobe also signifies that embracing your truest colors will always lead you to success.
Elle Woods: The Iconic Character
“But the outfits Elle wears are so unique to her, are so clearly her, offering a longevity that makes them truly iconic.” – Olivia Rhodes for Varsity.
Elle Woods, portrayed by Reese Witherspoon, emerged as the charismatic protagonist of Legally Blonde. She charmed us with her charisma and, of course, her unapologetic love for pink. Elle is a ‘malibu barbie’, sorority sister from LA, who’s snotty east-coast boyfriend Warner Huntington III breaks up with her for being to “serious” and starts attending Harvard Law School with his new, “serious” Fiancé Viviane. This prompts Elle into action, she initially follows Warner to Harvard to get him back, but ends up finding her talent within the courtroom, whilst proudly wearing her bubbly, pink persona, and wardrobe like a badge of honor. As Hannah Rose-Yee explains, “Her femininity is never sacrificed in the pursuit of power or success.” Elle’s gorgeous wardrobe showcases 47 stylist (a lot of the time pink) outfits, which reflect her character journey throughout the film from in-love sorority queen, to determined law student, and finally to successful murder-case winner all whilst wearing pink.
It might surprise you, but Legally Blonde initially faced uncertainty about embracing pink. Costume designer Sophie de Rakoff contemplated blues and purples, even lavender. But, after visiting sororities in southern California and witnessing everyone draped in pink, the choice became clear. In which Rakoff explains, “Everyone was wearing pink, so right then and there that gave us a throughline for the movie that became a huge part of the aesthetic and of Elle Woods’s personality and identity.” Pink signifies femininity, confidence, kindness, and love, all of which reflect Elle’s true self, and hence why it is so significant that she overcomes adversity throughout the film by embracing her truest self. I personally think that it was a terrific choice to go with pink, it makes the most sense for Elle’s character, and the fact that pink is traditionally a “girly girl” color. The movie's overarching theme of female empowerment is beautifully encapsulated in Elle's wardrobe choices, which not only celebrate embracing one's inner pinkness but also defy societal stereotypes by showcasing that a woman can be both stylish and intelligent, smashing preconceived notions.
The impact of Elle Woods and her fashion choices echoed far beyond the silver screen. Iconic references and tributes can be found in modern pop culture, from Kim Kardashian’ Halloween costume to Ariana Grande's thank u, nextmusic video which recreates memorable scenes and costumes from the original movie. The costume designer of Legally Blonde, Sophie De Rakoff, says “I love the Ariana Grande video. That to me was the biggest tribute because that felt to me in the spirit of [Elle], and also the bend-and-snap is such an iconic part. There’s so much iconography in that movie that is not specifically to do with the clothes. It just all worked as a massive part of the jigsaw puzzle.” There is now a Broadway musical called “Legally Blonde The Musical”, and I personally love the soundtrack, especially songs like “so much better’ which reflect the original movies female empowerment themes. The impact overall on young college students, women who have been underestimated, and aspiring female lawyers shows how iconic characters like Elle Woods can inspire a whole generation.
In wrapping it up, let's just say that "Legally Blonde" isn't just a movie; it's a vibrant celebration of pink, an anthem of empowerment, and a fierce challenge to stereotypes. Elle Woods, with her unwavering passion for all things pink and her incredible confidence, flipped the script on our ideas of beauty and brains. Her fashion choices, especially those iconic pink outfits, delivered the message that style and substance can coexist harmoniously. This film's impact reaches far beyond the screen, inspiring a whole generation of women to boldly embrace their unique selves and defy society's expectations. Elle Woods remains a timeless icon, and her fashion sense still speaks to women today. "Legally Blonde" didn't just entertain us; it taught us vital lessons about self-belief, resilience, and the power of staying true to who you are. With its lasting influence on the fashion world and its strong feminist message, this movie keeps on making waves, proving that Elle Woods isn't just a character; she's a symbol of empowerment and individuality that we can all aspire to be.
In the words of Sophie de Rakoff, “You’ll see a blonde in pink with a dog, and you’ll be like, it’s Elle Woods, just as a general thing in the universe.” The enchantment of Legally Blonde doesn't just revolve around pink; it also resides in its embrace of uniqueness, intellect, and, naturally, fashion.
Sources:
https://cosy.land/article/the-iconic-outfits-of-elle-woods-in-legally-blonde-2001
https://www.buzzfeed.com/jennaguillaume/every-outfit-in-legally-blonde-ranked-from-good-to-i
conic
https://www.allure.com/gallery/legally-blonde-best-outfits
https://www.nylon.com/articles/elle-woods-style-icon
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