Everyone Is Dressing Like Romy and Michele Right Now
How much do I love Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, which turns 23 years old today? Let me count the ways: The girl-power pop soundtrack! The bizarre and too-long dream sequence! Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino’s virtuoso comedic performances! Alan Cumming at his most Alan Cumming! But the thing I love most about this movie—which almost never even got made, by the way—is the glorious fashion. The film was released in 1997 and most of the pieces worn by the characters felt of-the-moment, but they also felt a little kooky and over-the-top. Well, almost two decades later, Romy and Michele are clear millennial fashion muses. Or are they just mine?
I recently organized my closet and realized how much of my personal style I owe to these two. My obsession with fruit accessories? Michele rocks cherry earrings in scene three. My love of colors that are one shade away from full-on hideous? Romy doesn’t favor anything close to neutral. The statement the fashion in this movie makes has clearly been imprinted in my brain from 15 years of rewatching, and I’m forever grateful.
The film’s costume designer, the iconic Mona May—who also did the costumes for Clueless two years before—somehow squeezed every incredible mid-to-late ’90s trend into this movie and left out all the less-exciting fashion moments often associated with the period, like flannel. Considering this decade is back in a big way (thanks, Bella Hadid), I’m revisiting this movie’s looks from some of my favorite scenes and pricing their still-relevant fashion in 2020.
Feathers
Let’s start with Romy and Michele’s most iconic look. Feathers are having a decidedly cool 2020 resurgence, and I’m here for it.
Sleeper Party Pajama Set
$320.00, Shopbop
Staud Feather Shoulder Bag
$425.00, Moda Operandi
Chunky Heels
ROMY AND MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, 1997, (c) Buena Vista/courtesy Ev
©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett CollectionSuper-thick heels inspired by the ’90s are in every cool girl’s closet these days, but Romy and Michele truly lived in this trend. In one scene, they literally work out in heels, à la Mariah Carey’s Cribs episode.
Street Style - Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Fall/Winter 2020/2021 : Day Nine
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
By Far Lola Suede and PVC Sandals
$380.00, My Theresa
Maryam Nassir Zadeh Sophie Suede Slides
$380.00, Moda Operandi
Fruit Fashion
ROMY AND MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino, 1997, (c) Buena Vista/courtesy Ev
©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett CollectionI knew there was a reason I’m so drawn to cherry earrings! I can imagine wearing Michele’s happy matching earring/necklace set all summer.
Sugarfix x BaubleBar Cherry Huggie Hoop Earrings
$10.00, Target
Susan Alexandra Watermelon Dream Bag
$280.00, Shopbop
Suits
ROMY AND MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino, 1997.
©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett CollectionSuits are basically the 2020 influencer uniform. This street style trend never seems to fade, and Romy and Michele managed to look amazing in their “business women” outfits even though we all knew they weren’t really suit types.
Street Style: September 22 - Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020
Photo by Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images
Mango Crop Blazer
$120.00, Mango
Mango Suit Pants
$80.00, Mango
Too-bright Colors
The fashion in this movie is all about color. Romy and Michele try to impress their former classmates with a made-up persona and wear dark, muted colors to fit in. But it’s only when they revert to their loud, bright personalities and personal styles that they gain the acceptance they crave and really come into their own. In particular, yellow—the color of optimism—makes a few appearances. It’s also been everywhere in 2020, from the runway to the street.
Reformation Linen Dress
$218.00, Nordstrom
Frame Mini Embossed Leather Crossbody Bag
$395.00, Nordstrom
ROMY AND MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino, 1997.
©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett CollectionSo go ahead, give in! Add Romy and Michele’s incredible style to your 2020 mood board, and make sure to rewatch (or rewear) this classic movie. We could all use a little color and laughter right now.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
