How 2000s Chick Flicks Changed Our Perception of Pink
Pink. Delicate, sweet, cute, romantic, charming, feminine.
Before the likes of Sharpay Evans, Elle Woods, and The Plastics emerged onto our screens in the early 2000s, society’s perception of pink was one of softness, reserved for ballerinas and princesses, things that were deemed vulnerable and in need of protection.
This out-dated perception of pink stems from the years after WW2 when the colour was reserved for women, encouraging society to perceive them as weak and vulnerable to re-establish pre-war gender norms – the homemaker and the breadwinner.
This connotation of pink seemed to stick until the surge of chick-lit films in the early 2000s birthed icons donning a rainbow of pink. Powerful female characters wore every shade from baby pink to bubblegum. Whether they were a trio of school bullies or a misunderstood law student, it was undeniable that each character held a certain power, mirrored by their favourite colour.
They weren’t afraid to tap into the femininity that the colour pink held and used it to fuel their power – winning court trials and running schools. Whilst some of our favourite fuschia wearing characters held the mean girl title, most of them served us valid learning lessons while twisting our perception of pink.
Elle Woods held her own when a sleuth of Harvard Law students snickered at her monochrome hot pink leather skirt suit.
Sharpay Evans taught us that it’s fine to fail. She turned heads in a pleated pink snake print mini skirt and matching fringed knee-high boots as she marched into school determined and sure of herself - despite losing the Lava Springs talent contest just weeks before.
Regina George showed up to the Spring Fling in a gorgeous blush-coloured satin gown after being hit by a bus, learned from her mistakes, and started to work on herself.
Despite being fictional characters, the 2000s teen movie queens put new power into pink, and we haven’t looked back.
Pink. Delicate, sweet, cute, romantic, charming, feminine – and powerful.
by Lizzy Swinerd
Follow Lizzy’s Instagram
(also featured in Bloom I05)
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