Top 10 Iconic 2000s Movie Looks

“Josie and the Pussycats” (2001)

How can we still remember all the lyrics to “Three Small Words” but we can’t remember what we had for dinner two days ago? “Josie and The Pussycats” came into our lives at the very beginning of the decade, in 2001, and the over-the-top kitty cat inspired fashion was just what we needed. Leopard prints, cat ears and crop tops may all be back in style, but this was a very specific brand of girl-rock early aughts look. Also all those shiny, sequined outfits? We’re totally ready to rock those again.

“Crossroads” (2002)

By 2002, Britney Spears was basically the biggest pop star in existence and she made a foray into movies to take a break from her bangin’ music career. The result was “Crossroads,” a movie that may not have been a critical hit but which we all absolutely went to see in theatres anyway. The road trip fashion in the movie is laid back and irreverent, but the outfit we recall best is the extreme crop top that Britney wears while performing. It has the word “Freedom” emblazoned across the front, although it’s not fully legible because of the way it’s designed. Now be honest, how many of you tried to DIY the same look?

“13 Going on 30” (2004)

In 2004, writers Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa decided to essentially recreate the much-loved Tom Hanks movie “Big” but with a female lead. Jennifer Garner is Jenna, a 13-year-old girl who wakes up and is suddenly 30. Of course, dressing herself with her new grown up wardrobe but her old teenage sensibilities makes for a hilarious result, which entails way too much blush, an oversized butterfly necklace, pigtails and a sequined dress. If we had grown up in the ‘80s, that’s probably exactly how we would have dressed ourselves too.

“Freaky Friday” (2003)

How many teenage forays into punk rock were started because of Lindsay Lohan’s rebellious character in “Freaky Friday”? She plays Anna, a teenager who inadvertently switches bodies with her mom. But before the big switch, she sports this grunge rock look when she’s sparring with her mother early in the film. The choker, studded belt and black and red baseball tee (that she eventually wears inside out) were pitch perfect at the height of emo fashion. And her chunky streaks really completed the look. Of course it’s not flattering but that’s not what it’s about, Mom!

“Almost Famous” (2000)

In “Almost Famous,” the main character and protagonist may technically be William, but Kate Hudson’s Penny Lane is at the heart of the film. She’s a young groupie to a popular rock group who takes a liking to William, and he ultimately tries to save her from herself. She wears incredible ‘70s outfits throughout the film, but the constant that links them all together is her long fur trimmed coat, which she incorporates into many different ensembles- some more suggestive than others. Wouldn’t you know it, but after that, it seemed like everyone had a coat like this one!

“Bring It On” (2000)

Of course, there have been cheerleader outfits in film for decades, and many have come since this one, but the Toros ensemble from “Bring It On” is still a standout. At Rancho Carne High School, the cheerleader uniforms are probably a bit skimpier than they are in any real life high school, with midriff baring tops and super short mini skirts. Pairing the uniform itself with chunky white sneakers and white socks was essential of course. By 2000, cheerleading had mostly gone out of vogue, but we have a feeling this movie reinvigorated it as a trend.

“The Cheetah Girls” (2003)

Is there any one outfit that exemplified this decade better than a velour tracksuit? We saw them all over the place, in J. Lo. videos, on Regina’s mom in “Mean Girls” and of course on the Cheetah Girls in their eponymous movie. Galleria, Chanel, Aqua, and Dorinda all sport these fetching ensembles in the film, where each of them picks a color and sticks to it, matching their pants, zip up hoodies and even headbands. We desperately wanted to be part of this group, so of course we had to buy one of our own!

“Kill Bill: Volume 1” (2003)

Many of the looks on this list are from teen movies or romance flicks, but we’ve gotta make an exception for this gory action film. Quentin Tarantino’s martial arts movie “Kill Bill: Volume 1” featured Uma Thurman in the central role, playing The Bride AKA Black Mamba. Her signature outfit is an all yellow ensemble that is perfect for fighting but also definitely catches the eye. It’s certainly an empowering look, one that gives off a badass energy and has made for some awesome Halloween costumes in the years since the film was released.

“Legally Blonde” (2001)

There’s no point in debating the fact that “Legally Blonde” is one of the best movies of the 2000s. Reese Witherspoon is iconic all the way through the film as the plucky Harvard law student who defies everyone’s expectations of her. To show off her bubbly personality and make her stand out in a crowd full of brown and tweed, Elle Woods wears flashy pink outfits in nearly every scene. Her first day of school outfit is particularly memorable, as is, of course, her video application look. We’ve also gotta give credit to the Playboy bunny outfit that she wears when she’s told a get together is a costume party, which she rocks no matter how anyone is looking at her.



Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Spaghetti Strap Top & Flared Jeans

“What a Girl Wants” (2003)



Halle Berry's Bikini

“Die Another Day” (2002)



Newsboy Hat & Corduroy Pants

“The Lizzie McGuire Movie” (2003)



Keira Knightley's Green Dress

“Atonement” (2007)

Everyone's Outfits

“Coyote Ugly” (2000)

“Mean Girls” (2004)

Perhaps the most influential and memorable movie of the decade, “Mean Girls” is an iconic high school film that stands the test of time, still being culturally relevant 15 years after it was released. While there is no one particular outfit that stands out as being the absolute essential one in this story, the entire ensemble cast wears amazing stuff the whole way through. There’s a LOT of pink (especially on Wednesdays) and seeing Lindsay Lohan as Cady go from preppy new girl to popular Queen Bee is a fashion journey we’d take again and again.