Redesigning a 2000s' Classic

Okay so when I put Legally Blonde on the other night, all i could think about while the credits rolled was wtf (what the ‘fashion’).  So much Givenchy, so much Dior, so much innovative accessorising. Let’s delve straight into the looks and get re-designing…

Legally Blonde, Dir. Robert Luketic, 2001

What IMMEDIATELY grabbed my attention was the way the saleslady, who wore a black, slinky gown, with a ballerina neckline, styled her pink and red plaid tie as a scarf. So, I picked out a few alternatives. First, courtesy of Vivi: the muted grey is defo within the dress code for a job in retail and the signature recurring orb shape simply just sells the accessory for me - forever my favourite fashion motif.

Left: Vivienne Westwood, £85 Right: Wolf & Badger,  £467

To the right of this is an even higher-end Wolf &Badger crystal argyle classic necktie, entirely hand-embroidered with immaculate precision…meaning it does put the L in luxury, pricing at almost £500, but you get the gist: slightly ragged, plaid print, timeless colourway. I provided two more affordable options from the same site - both currently reduced to £18 in the sale (let’s have it). You could have one in ochre and one in pink! Velvet to the touch, richly hued, same effect as a tie - you might look even cooler than Lisa Arch herself!

Wolf & Badger, was £35, now £18

Let’s talk about that Givenchy blouse -

#helpmefindit. Unfortunately I can’t source the og piece from the 70s collection ‘Givenchy for Chesa’, but I found a little something on Stine Goya. Some of these Juno blouses are currently half price and the all over logo pattern achieves the same ‘G for Givenchy’ effect. My personal fave is the burgundy pink colourway as it screams Elle Woods - imagine one of these paired with some low-waisted, jet black suit trousers and pointed slingbacks.

Stine Goya, To the left: was £120 now £60, Top right: £130, Bottom right: was £125 now£62.50

To the left: Liberty, £180, To the Middle: Weekday, £37, To the Right: Etsy, £8.39

You know that Christian Dior 2003 logo monogram pattern we were all obsessed with a few years ago? It might just be my favourite look in the film. In the court-room we see Brooke in this timeless blue/white design, often replicated on the renowned saddle bag, pasted onto a halterneck top. Just for the cherry glazing, she pairs it with a black collar, serving too much Chic for the Chic-Ometer to handle! I’ve had my eye on this denim-effect replica from the Barcelona-based label ‘Paloma Wool’ for some time now, but equally this cheaper alternative from Weekday knows just how to do slim fit and the perfect V-neckline. I don’t think I’m ready for the comeback of the black belt choker so I have decided to leave it in 2001, I did however find the most dainty, handcrafted scallop lace/velvet choker on Etsy for just £8.39. 

Desigual, Left/Right: £479, Bag: £75 Bottom Sunglasses: Harvey Nichols, £65

No one does a hot pink leather cropped jacket and knee-length pencil skirt co-ord like Reese Witherspoon. I did endless searching for a matching set online but realised that pink faux leather tends to lean into tacky, and we’re dealing with vintage here. Pink leather has to be the right shade, not too hot, not too salmon-pale, and unless you know your Paris boutiques, it’s unlikely you’re going to bag a steal. So I opted for brown - perhaps a slightly wintry take, but nonetheless à la mode. This all Desigual look would not be complete without some ‘Le Specs’ cherry tinted lens shades, just to give it that dash of pink.