Pink on Wednesdays, jeans on Fridays and other notes from the Plastics style guide.
Mean Girls is back in the spotlight. Two decades after the original story, written by Tina Fey, premiered in 2004, a musical adaptation of the film premiered on January 12, introducing the Plastics to a new generation.
In Mean Girls, the Plastics are a group of high school students led by the character Regina George, first played by Rachel McAdams and revived by Renee Rapp in the new film. Created as a parody of the American high school experience, the group showcases early 2000s and Y2K fashion with Juicy Couture tracksuits, low-waisted swim trunks, and graphic tops.
More from WWD
However, the Plastics had strict fashion rules.
“We wear pink on Wednesdays.”
Amanda Seyfried’s character Karen delivered one of the fans’ favorite quotes (and fashion rules) from the original film when she explained to Lindsay Lohan’s character Cady that “we wear pink on Wednesdays.” The clothing recommendations prompted Kady to wear an oversized pink polo shirt to hang out with her new friends, who were wearing pink cardigans with low-slung miniskirts.
Pink returned to fashion in 2023, with Barbicore dominating the runways and red carpets. The same thing happened with low-rise miniskirts, thanks to Miu Miu.
“You can’t wear a tank top two days in a row.”
Gretchen, originally played by Lacey Chabert, was responsible for revealing some of the rules regarding the Plastiques’ wardrobe to Cady. One of the main rules was not to wear T-shirts to school two days in a row.
Tank tops were a fashion staple of the ’90s, popularized on the runway by Calvin Klein. The style is back in fashion after being seen on models from Loewe, Schiaparelli and other fashion brands for fall 2022.
“On Fridays you can only wear jeans or sweatpants.”
Not knowing the rest of the Plastics rules, Cady shows up to school wearing jeans on the wrong day. Gretchen informs her that they can only wear jeans and sweatpants on Friday or she’ll have to sit with the “art freaks.”
Jeans were presented in the spring 2023 collections from Chloé, Versace, Bottega Venetta, Givenchy and others. Meanwhile, sweatpants became a hit in 2020 as comfort became a priority during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Only wear your hair in a ponytail once a week.”
The Plastics also had hair rules, including that members could only wear their hair in a ponytail once a week. Otherwise, they could be driven away from the dinner table.
“You know I can’t wear hoop earrings, right?”
No member of the Plastics except Regina George was allowed to wear hoop earrings, as Gretchen Cady said when they first became friends. The accessory carries a sense of power throughout the film, with Cady wearing hoop earrings when she becomes popular and Gretchen finally being able to wear jewelry at the end when Regina loses control of her.
“You wouldn’t buy a skirt without first asking your friends if it suits you.”
In one scene, Cady witnesses Regina complimenting a student who is wearing a plaid miniskirt. “Oh my God, I love your skirt! Where did you get this?” Regina asks, adding that the item is “vintage and so adorable.” Later in the film, Gretchen reveals another rule to Cady: You can only buy a skirt if one of your friends approves of it first.
The new Mean Girls movie is currently in theaters and also stars Christopher Briney, Ashley Park, Busy Phillips, and more. Since its release, the film has grossed $43.8 million worldwide.
Mean Girls red carpet looks: Lindsay Lohan, Renee Rapp and more
View gallery
Presentation gallery: Mean Girls red carpet looks: Lindsay Lohan, Renee Rapp and more
Best of WWD