Why femininity and intelligence were never mutually exclusive.
Somewhere along the way, we decided that a woman could have beauty or brains, but asking for both was apparently getting a little greedy.
Fortunately, fictional women like Elle Woods, Cher Horowitz, and Summer Roberts never seemed particularly interested in following that rule.
I’ve always found the assumption that femininity and intelligence are somehow incompatible amusing. Why is it that a woman can be ambitious, articulate, and accomplished, yet her interest in fashion or beauty is sometimes enough to make people question her seriousness? It’s as if a likeness for lip gloss somehow diminishes someone’s intellectual capabilities.
Personally, I’ve never considered the two to be contradictory! I mean, even my own room is decorated in shades of pink and cream; my mini coffee maker is pink, and so are many more of my belongings than I care to admit. Somewhere among all that pink are my textbooks, assignments, and the occasional late-night study sessions.
I also happen to be a college student maintaining straight A’s while balancing five classes and several student organizations.
And the funny thing is, I’ve never considered those two sides of my life particularly noteworthy together. They’re just parts of who I am.
Maybe that’s why I’ve always had a soft spot for characters who refuse to let other people’s expectations dictate their ambitions.
Elle Woods: A Little Pink Never Hurt Anyone
If there’s anyone who understands the supposed contradiction between femininity and intelligence, it’s Elle Woods.
In Legally Blonde, Elle arrives at Harvard Law School with an impressive wardrobe, an optimistic attitude, and a determination to win back her ex-boyfriend. Naturally, her classmates aren’t particularly convinced that she belongs there.
And admittedly, Elle doesn’t exactly make the most conventional first impression as a new student at an Ivy League. Between her scented résumé and colorful outfits, she hardly resembles the ‘stereotypical’ Harvard Law student.
But that’s exactly what makes her character so wonderful.
As the beginning of the film progresses, we watch Elle dedicate herself to her studies, sacrifice social outings, and work tirelessly toward her goal of getting into Harvard. And later, she doesn’t suddenly become intelligent when she starts taking law school seriously. I firmly believe that her intelligence was always there; she simply learns how to apply it in an environment that initially underestimates her.
And while Elle briefly experiments with a more subdued wardrobe, she eventually returns to the bright colors and playful fashion that make her unmistakably herself.
What I admire most, however, isn’t necessarily that she proves everyone wrong. It’s that somewhere along the way, her ambitions become her own.
She stops working toward becoming the woman Warner wants and starts becoming the woman she wants to be.
And really, isn’t that a much better ending?
Cher Horowitz: More Than a Computerized Closet
Now, I’d be doing a horrible disservice to this article if I didn’t mention Cher Horowitz.
For starters, her computerized closet in Clueless remains one of cinema’s greatest technological achievements. Even now, I’m still waiting for someone to make that particular invention a household staple.
But beyond her plaid skirts, designer clothing, and matchmaking endeavors, Cher is also a character whose intelligence is often overlooked because of how she presents herself.
She’s socially perceptive, persuasive, and incredibly resourceful. Granted, her judgment isn’t always perfect, and her attempts to improve other people’s lives occasionally create more problems than they solve.
But, honestly? I hardly think making questionable decisions at sixteen disqualifies someone from being intelligent.
What I appreciate about Cher is that her character reminds us that intelligence doesn’t always manifest itself through academic achievement. Sometimes, it’s reflected in our ability to understand people, navigate relationships, and recognize when we have something to learn.
And throughout the film, Cher does exactly that.
Her growth doesn’t require her to abandon her love of fashion or suddenly become an entirely different person.
She simply becomes a little more thoughtful about the person she already is.
Summer Roberts: Never Judge a Girl by Her Handbag
And then there’s Summer Roberts from The O.C.
Initially introduced as the quintessential popular girl, Summer seems to embody nearly every stereotype associated with a fashionable, socially prominent teenager.
She’s beautiful, outgoing, and seemingly more interested in her social life than in anything particularly academic.
But as the series progresses, we discover that there’s considerably way more to Summer than her initial characterization suggests.
She’s intelligent, academically capable, and eventually earns admission to Brown University.
I especially appreciate Summer’s character development because it challenges the idea that someone’s first impression must define their potential.
At the heart of it, people are super complicated. We have different interests, ambitions, strengths, and personalities, many of which aren’t immediately apparent.
And sometimes, the girl everyone assumes is only interested in shopping has an Ivy League acceptance letter waiting for her.
Becoming the Woman You Want to Be
I think what draws me to these characters most is their willingness to pursue their ambitions without completely compromising who they are.
And in a lot of ways, that’s something I’ve come to appreciate in my own life.
When I was younger, I wasn’t necessarily the student I am today. I did reasonably well in school, but I knew I was capable of accomplishing more. Eventually, I made the decision to take my education and ambitions more seriously, not because someone demanded it of me, but because I wanted to see just what I could achieve.
Today, when I look at the opportunities I’ve pursued and the effort I’ve invested in my education, I feel incredibly proud. Not because I have something to prove to anyone else, but because I know how much those accomplishments mean to me.
I sometimes wonder what my younger self would think if she could see me now. I like to imagine she’d be pleased.
And that’s probably the message I hope someone takes away from this article!
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be successful, admired, or taken seriously. But I think it’s equally important to remember who you’re working toward becoming, and why those ambitions matter to you in the first place.
You don’t need to abandon the things you love to become someone worth respecting.
Wear the pink outfit. Pursue the ambitious career. Spend a little too long deciding which shoes look best with your dress.
And if someone happens to underestimate you along the way, you’re more than welcome to prove them wrong.
Just remember that you never needed their approval to begin with.
After all, a good head on your shoulders and a really good outfit have never been mutually exclusive.