My boyfriend and I love watching comedies from the '90s [1] and early 2000s before bed at night. We've both seen these flicks hundreds of times for the most part, but if he's trying to introduce me to a classic I haven't watched, I always ask the same absurdly childish question about the film before we start: "What actresses are in it?" Why? It's about outfit inspiration, people! Especially now, when trends like low-slung jeans and going-out tops from the early aughts [2] are resurfacing, I can't get enough of that "grown-up Limited Too look," [3] or so I call it.
"Do I look like Britney Spears at 17 [4]?" I've generally started to ask my family and friends (who are not in the fashion industry) before we go out to the movies or a low-key diner for dinner. "Um, yes actually, exactly like that," they say, raising their eyebrows at me like I am a crazy person. "Good, that's what I'm going for!" I assure them.
But as I've run out of Britney, Christina Aguilera [5], Avril Lavigne [6], and Gwen Stefani outfits to re-create [7], I've turned my attention to the screen. After I watched Pulp Fiction for the first time, I dressed in Mia Wallace's sexy, simple black-and-white color palette for a solid week. Why not bring that back when the iconic flares and button-down she dances in would make for a fabulous combination today?
So that's my new method for getting dressed. I've been reminiscing about and rewatching old movie scenes with incredible style moments, then making them feel brand-new with fresh little twists from my closet. Enter Jennifer Garner [8] as Jenna Rink, Rachel McAdams [9] as Regina George, and even Kate Hudson [10] as Penny Lane for a little boho influence (a double throwback to the '70s and '90s!).
Read on to see how I've reinterpreted these signature looks, then leave a note in the comments to let me know which fictional character you want to see me dress like next! What, you thought there'd be a limit to my dedication? As if!
Regina George From Mean Girls, 2004
Regina wears flares and sneakers, and she lets her blue bra straps peek out from under her off-the-shoulder top. That was such a cool little style move back in the early 2000s. Of course, her look comes complete with an initial necklace and designer belt.
I didn't have a sugar-pink Louis Vuitton belt to slip on, but I took Regina's outfit into 2019 with my thin Gucci logo belt in leather.
Cher Horowitz From Clueless, 1995
Everyone seems to remember Cher's yellow checked skirt suit, but I am such a fan of the way she layers a tank over her white tee for gym class.
I added Lucite hoops and slipped into a silk midi skirt (which still feels totally '90s to me) instead of trying on Cher's biker shorts. I did wear this outfit to the office, after all.
Jenna Rink From 13 Going on 30, 2004
Jenna's most exciting outfit is obviously the cutout graphic-print dress she wears to dance to "Thriller."
I just picked up this '90s shoulder bag from Topshop [12], and it instantly reminded me of Jenna's purse in the movie. I wore it with a quirky, colorful Marc Jacobs dress, but I added Western influence with my Dolce Vita boots. As far as jewelry goes, Jenna might love butterflies, but I'm a fan of shells.
Mia Wallace From Pulp Fiction, 1994
There is something so sexy about Mia's casual combination: a white shirt, unbuttoned at both the top and bottom, with a pair of flares. Mia doesn't wear shoes to dance with Vincent Vega, and her outfit still seems complete to me. I see so many women re-create Mia's look for Halloween [13] — it's that iconic.
Instead of cropped flares, I kicked things off in my favorite wide-leg denim from Mother, and I wore a black headband, just to pay subtle homage to Mia's dark hairstyle. I unbuttoned my sheer top just like Mia does and wore snake-print boots.
Penny Lane From Almost Famous, 2000
OK, so Almost Famous is actually set in the early '70s, but like I mentioned, going-out crop tops and jeans are back in full force, and I personally take inspiration from bohemian fashion moments whenever I can. A young Kate Hudson [14] is also totally representative of the early '90s and 2000s to me — she had the same romantic look in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Le Divorce — so I think this one counts!
I did mix in some groovy tie-dye here, with the help of this Cotton Citizen crop top [15], but my wide-leg jeans blended both decades perfectly. The silhouette was a salute to the '70s, while the long belt and boot-cut length were details Britney Spears [16] would've favored in the '90s.