14 Times Reese Witherspoon Channeled Elle Woods

Reese Witherspoon Legally Blonde Inspo - LEAD

MGM/courtesy Everett Collection

Although Reese Witherspoon’s bend-and-snap days are long gone, there’s no doubt that the iconic sorority-sister-turned-Harvard-Law-student has influenced the actress’s sense of style.

In the 15 years since Legally Blonde was released, Witherspoon has had no shortage of Elle Woods-inspired ensembles—from sly rose-colored accents to full-out pink-on-pink, the actress clearly learned a lesson or two from her fictional counterpart.

Though Witherspoon has made it very clear that she’s a southern gal at heart (hello, Draper James), to this day it’s difficult to dissociate her early aughts Cali-girl demeanor from the family-oriented Reese we know and love.

Since Blonde’s debut, Witherspoon has earned acclaim for her roles as folk singer June Carter, soul-searching memoirist Cheryl Strayed, Mark Ruffalo’s comatose love interest … the list goes on and on, yet for some reason, Elle is the one who's stuck with us.

VIDEO: 7 Times Reese Witherspoon and Ava Phillippe Were Twins

Most recently, Reese channeled her inner Elle Woods on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at a Girls Inc. luncheon in Los Angeles. In a hot pink dress with a violet overlay, Witherspoon stirred within us a nostalgia for her Legally Blonde days.

Join us for a trip down memory lane as we discuss Witherspoon’s most Woodsian looks to date.

Start Slideshow

Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

1 of 14

Pattern-Clad Elle

Joshua Blanchard/Getty

Nov. 16, 2016: Witherspoon's pink-and-purple patterned dress would definitely earn a spot in Elle's designer closet. She might just be feelin' the velvet platforms, too...

2 of 14

Casual Elle

Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Feb. 10, 2016: Reese downplayed her outfit's rosy saturation with a pair of ripped jeans and a leather jacket.

3 of 14

SHOPPING CENTER ELLE

SMXRF/Star Max/GC Images

Aug. 13, 2015: Bright pink purse on one arm, shopping bag on the other—how Elle Woods-y is this?!

4 of 14

Buddy comedy Elle

Alexander Tamargo/WireImage

Apr. 21, 2015: We can totally see this shot sitting on the mantle at Elle's sorority house.

5 of 14

MELLOW ELLE

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Dec. 10, 2014: Witherspoon took Woods's aesthetic down a few notches, but still retained the character's pinky sheen.

6 of 14

Unapologetically Elle

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Nov. 8, 2014: Hot pink gown, hot pink lip—Witherspoon's sartorial influence was hardly a mystery.

7 of 14

COUNTRY CLUB ELLE

Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

July 31, 2014: The only way this hot pink cardigan and blouse set could be more Elle Woods-esque is if Witherspoon were toting the character's beloved ;Chihuahua, Bruiser.

8 of 14

RED carpet Elle

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

May 5, 2014: If Elle ever had a chance to grace the red carpet—and you know she must've—this gorgeous column-style gown would've been a definite contender.

9 of 14

Tech-Savvy Elle

Pixplus/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Mar. 19, 2014: Woods' screentime never crossed over into the iPhone era—but if it had, we think she would've loved Witherspoon's phone case.

10 of 14

Real world Elle

Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Mar. 18, 2014: This outfit is exactly what we imagine a fancy late-thirties lawyer Woods would wear to court.

11 of 14

FLORAL ELLE

SMXRF/Star Max/FilmMagic

Mar. 14, 2013: Witherspoon gave her simple look a girly edge with a floral blouse, pink pumps, and a matching bag.

12 of 14

SUBTLE ELLE

Mike Marsland/WireImage

May 26, 2012: Hot pink sandals brightened the actress's otherwise subdued look.

13 of 14

Bustier Elle

John Shearer/WireImage)

Dec. 13, 2010: Witherspoon gave her classic LBD a twist with a splash of Elle Woods-approved rose.

14 of 14

Edgy Elle

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Oct. 28, 2009: This lacy hot pink dress is totally next-gen Elle. P.S.: This was only seven years ago, how does Reese look like she's 15?

Replay gallery

Account

More

14 Times Reese Witherspoon Channeled Elle Woods

1 of 14

Pattern-Clad Elle

1 of 14

2 of 14

Casual Elle

2 of 14

3 of 14

SHOPPING CENTER ELLE

3 of 14

4 of 14

Buddy comedy Elle

4 of 14

5 of 14

MELLOW ELLE

5 of 14

6 of 14

Unapologetically Elle

6 of 14

7 of 14

COUNTRY CLUB ELLE

7 of 14

8 of 14

RED carpet Elle

8 of 14

9 of 14

Tech-Savvy Elle

9 of 14

10 of 14

Real world Elle

10 of 14

11 of 14

FLORAL ELLE

11 of 14

12 of 14

SUBTLE ELLE

12 of 14

13 of 14

Bustier Elle

13 of 14

14 of 14

Edgy Elle

14 of 14

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery