Celebrating Elle Woods: 15 Year Anniversary of Legally Blonde

"Oh, I like your outfit too, except when I dress up as a frigid bitch, I try not to look so constipated." 

Ladies it's the 15 year anniversary of Legally Blonde today! Reese Witherspoon was Snapchatting up a storm all day in commemoration of the film. She even brought out some old outfits she kept and did a bend and snap for old time's sake. And, well, you know me -I love me a trip down memory lane and soaking up fashion in film. I can never get enough nostalgia! I even keep an Excel spreadsheet of all the iconic fashion films I must eventually watch and regurgitate on here for everyone's enjoyment. For now though here's some fun Elle Woods facts for you and, of course, collages! 

 "I once had to judge a tighty-whitey contest for Lambda Kappa Pi. Trust me, I can handle anything." 

Sophie De Rakoff was the costume designer for this film and hit it off pretty quickly with Witherspoon through a shared love for Dolly Parton. After this film she continued to dress Witherspoon in 5 other films including, This Means War, Sweet Home Alabama, Just Like Heaven, and Legally Blonde 2. To prep for costuming Legally Blonde, her and Witherspoon actually went to check out some sororities in downtown Los Angeles. Serious research, people. 

The break-up dress was made by Witherspoon's make-up artist Molly Stern.

"I wanted something traditionally sexy, something reminiscent of an old-fashioned movie star, something that was more of a wiggle dress, something that was very captivating,” de Rakoff recalls of my favourite number in the movie: Elle's engagement break-up dress.

Hi. I'm Elle Woods, and this is Bruiser Woods. We're both Gemini vegetarians.

Like any fashion focused character in a flick, Elle Woods' wardrobe underwent a transformation as Elle transitioned from undergraduate sorority goddess, to ambitious Harvard law student, to burgeoning lawyer. Although she gradually became more serious in her wardrobe, wearing more contemporary labels like Celine to fit in with her Ivy League classmates, Elle consistency stuck with her signature colour pink. 

"This is the type of girl Warner wants to marry. This is what I need to become to be serious."

De Rakoff explains it was important for Elle Woods to remain true to herself throughout her journey so naturally she ended up pretty in pink for court. “It was about taking the idea of a wealthy, California sorority girl, and also a character that was very much obsessed with fashion. What that would look like when she went to Harvard, to the East Coast? How could she be a fish out of water, but still be true to herself? It was always about, what would Elle want to do in this situation? How would she dress herself? What would she think was appropriate?”  

"The rules of hair care are simple and finite. Any Cosmo girl would have known."

After visiting my old law school classmates last month, who are now practicing law, I have to say Elle certainly added more flare than your average lawyer-bear. I do often come across fashion blogs run by particularly stylish women in law though so there are Elle Woods' out there folks. And to finish off this post I'd like to leave you with a little inspiration Witherspoon left us all on Instagram today, "Live every day like Elle Woods after Warner said she wasn't smart enough for law school." #girlpower

SaveSave

Fall/Winter 2016 Trend: The Slip Dress Makes a Comeback

Kate Moss wearing the slip dress during the nineties.

Halloween shall no longer remain a stand-alone day for women to leave their houses and wander their neighbourhoods in lingerie liberated from the shackles of judgement! The slip dress is back. And it has stripped itself of its stripped-down innocence and simplicity. Initially, brought out of the boudoir for sexy evening excursions, accompanied only, perhaps, by some Mary-Janes and a spritz of Chanel No. 5 -slip dresses are now the ultimate layering piece.

Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw wearing a barely-there slip dress with the minimal styling that characterized this look back in the nineties.

Of course, you can still pair a slip dress with some beautifully understated jewelry, slip on a comfortable shoe and head out the door as if you simply forgot to put on your clothes -but with the breadth of options shown on the runway this past season, it almost seems like a waste not throwing on some thigh-highs a la Wanda Nylon or a chain harness as demonstrated at Calvin Klein.

Fall/Winter 2016/2017 Runway looks from the left:
Wanda Nylon, Versace, Alexander Wang, Calvin Klein, Dries Van Noten.

Or perhaps you'd like to throw a floor length cape, reminiscent of a Persian rug over your shoulders and stack your arms with gold cuffs, like Mary-Kate Olsen? Better yet, why not throw a jean jacket over top a punchy pink lace-trimmed slip, tie yourself into some tennis shoes, and go full nineties, like Rihanna? There's something deeply satisfying about capturing the entire spirit of an era. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment as you wrap a black choker around your neck and lock its clasp into place. And what better era to channel than the nineties? It is, after all, the last decade fashion had before it was digitalized, celebritised, and globalised. Yet it still enjoyed a transformative integration with entertainment, and last, but not least, brought us Kate Moss.

From left: Gigi Hadid, Rihanna, Mary-Kate Olsen.

Even Tim Blanks, the widely-recognized, and indisputable voice of fashion, calls the nineties the golden age of fashion. But enough about the bigger picture, let's get back to the details, which are entirely up to your choosing with this figure-clinging, uber feminine frock. "Don’t work with the slip, work against it!" advises Mimi Hecht, one of the two creatives forces behind the label Mimu Maxi. What does this mean exactly? Wear textures that will juxtapose its dainty touch.

Fashion bloggers give their chic takes on this revitalised silky staple.

Throw it under a chunky knit (or over), slide up some trousers under it and then belt it for a more polished work-appropriate ensemble. A pair of oxfords with an ankle sock can also help give some structure and formality to this risqué frock. Explore the incredible versatility of this piece and it will soon become a staple in your wardrobe, becoming no less treasured than your favourite tee or nude pump. 

New Yorkers have given prominence to the slip by pairing it with a shirt, which instantly makes it day-time appopriate.

The key here is to look outside-the-box and no longer view it with the limitations of a nightgown. Pretend it is no different than any other dress and proceed accordingly. If it turns out a bit too crass or gets overwhelmed by the other layers you select, then adjust accordingly. You will never know how far you can take this look until you give it a go.

More casual takes on the slip dress from the fashion blogosphere.

Good luck! - T.M