drag

7 life lessons Elle Woods taught us that are still important today

Vote for Elle.

There are few things the FJ Office loves more than Legally Blonde. In fact for us, this movie goes down in history as one of the greatest and most quotable of all time.

Who could forget the inspirational tale of Elle Woods, president of her sorority and Miss June in her campus calendar. Following her breakup from Warner Huntington III (a clear blessing in disguise), Elle attempts to win him back and follows him to Harvard Law School. What follows is a series of events that allow Elle to come into her own and discover her true potential.

It’s been 15 years since Elle Woods captured the hearts of people worldwide. Yeah, 15 – we’re officially old.  And while it has often been overlooked as a one-dimensional or fluffy film, we’re here to tell you the film’s messages are still extremely important.

1. Don’t judge a book by its cover

Legally Blonde taught us about relinquishing stereotypes, not allowing them to warp your judgment of people.

Initially, none of Elle’s classmates took her seriously because she was blonde, had an adorable Chihuahua named Bruiser and was courteous enough to scent her résumé. As the film wears on, however, Elle proves the haters wrong, getting accepted into Callahan’s internship and basically stealing the goddamn show.

Moral of the story, don’t let the stereotypes stick. 

2. Your knowledge of hair/beauty/fashion is important

Elle showed us that being well versed in hygiene and fashion maintenance is not a weakness, but actually a great strength. 

Like the moment she told off the shop assistant for trying to sell her last year’s threads for full price. Or who could forget the moment Elle schooled Chutney in the courtroom over her clearly fabricated perm maintenance story.

The rules of haircare are simple and finite, people.

3. Sexual Harassment is not cool

After being sexually harassed by Professor Callahan, Elle immediately rejected him and rallied. Not only did she take his job, but she also one-upped him in court by winning the trial and proving that she’s not just a pretty face.

4. It’s important to keep a friend’s secret (even when you don’t agree)

In the real world, keeping a secret is just a standard part of friendship. However, when you might not agree with your friend’s behaviuor, keeping your mouth shut can get a lil tricky.

This has never been truer than when Brooke Windum admitted to Elle that she got liposuction, cementing her alibi for her husband’s murder. Because it compromised her fitness empire, Elle respected her friend’s wishes to keep it a secret, even though she didn’t 100 per cent agree with it.

5. Don’t let a guy dictate your #goals

Although Warner may have been the initial reason that Elle applied for Harvard, he wasn’t the reason she got accepted. A combination of hard work, dedication and a brilliant admissions video gave Elle access to the most prestigious law school in the country.

Let’s not forget the iconic scene in which Elle explained to Warner that since they both took the same LSATs and were taking the same classes, they were clearly academically equal in every way? Sorry that’s not good enough for you Warner. We like Luke Wilson better anyway. 

6. Girls helping girls is cool

This movie has so many examples of female empowerment; we don’t know where to start.

Firstly Elle’s relationship with her sorority sisters: they weren’t depicted as just a bunch of party girls, but more as supportive best friends who wanted Elle to succeed. 

Secondly, the friendship between Elle and Paulette really is what dreams are made of. They helped each other in some truly fab ways – from manicuring to seducing the mail guy. And don’t even get me started on the bend and snap.

Thirdly, Elle believed Brooke Windum when no one else would. Because exercise gives you endorphins and endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.

And finally, while most films would have taken the Vivian character and kept her as Elle’s enemy and competition, Legally Blonde took a different route. They saw these women’s stories as an opportunity to empower each other, rallying against Warner and enjoying a long-lasting friendship. 

7. You don’t have to change yourself to succeed

“You must always have faith in people, and most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself.” A quote from Elle Woods’ valedictorian speech. Have truer words ever been spoken?

Happy 15th birthday Legally Blonde. Vote for Elle. 

Lazy Loading