Today, we’re delving into how TikTok turned The Parent Trap villain Meredith Blake into a Gen Z style icon. In Anatomy Of An Aesthetic, Her Campus dissects the latest style trends to tell you where they came from, why they matter, and how to DIY.
With Gen Z in their villain era, it should be no surprise that we’re revisiting the pop culture icons our childhood selves thought of as evil, and seeing them in a new light. Sharpay wasn’t the real villain in High School Musical! The critic in Ratatouille was just doing his job! And, in perhaps the biggest twist of all, The Parent Trap’s Meredith Blake, played by Elaine Hendrix, was branded a “gold digger” when the 1998 film first came out, but maybe she was just making lemonade when life gave her lemons — oh, and she’s a style icon, too. Being young and beautiful’s not a crime, as she said.
#MeredithBlake has over 100 million views on TikTok, where creators are making videos showing off bodysuits, dresses, matching sets, sunglasses, and more items of clothing that embody Meredith’s summer country club aesthetic in the movie. Think coastal grandmother, but younger, more tight-fitting, and wouldn’t look out of place on the tennis court or by the pool. Meredith also favors a black-and-white color scheme, with touches of gold accessories — the Meredith Blake aesthetic is athleisure at its sleekest and chicest.
Most of the videos are set to an audio clip of one of Meredith’s iconic lines in the movie (she doesn’t eat trout, for the thousandth time!), with creators mouthing the words, because Meredith isn’t just a fashion role model — Gen Z has decided she’s also got an aspirational personality.
Perhaps some of the recent narrative shift around Meredith and her role in The Parent Trap, where she played evil stepmother to Lindsay Lohan’s Hallie and Annie, comes from Elaine Hendrix’s resurgence on TikTok, where she’s gained over 700,000 followers and is keeping the Meredith Blake love alive.
In a TikTok posted by E! News, Hendrix (in character as Meredith) shared her thoughts on the demonization of Meredith in pop culture. “I had a fantastic job as a major publicist in San Francisco,” she said, in response to allegations of gold-digging. And as for her role as an antagonist? “It’s not my fault he lied to his kid her whole life and then I became the one standing in the way of their happy ending.” Fair and valid!
Of course, she did try to send Hallie and Annie to boarding school, away from her and her luxurious life with their father. Ultimately, though, she said, “Meredith Blake was never a selfish gold digger. She was determined and opportunistic.” So when you gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss, remember Meredith walked so you could run.
If you want to join in on the Meredith Blake comeback tour, grab your sunnies and your gold hoops — here’s everything you need to nail the Meredith Blake aesthetic.
- Sunglasses
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You knew this was coming. With a villain like Meredith, it’s all about the shade — or should I say shades? To nail the aesthetic, opt for something oversized with thicker frames, in a cat-eye or rectangle shape. As long as you stick to the black-and-white monochromatic look, you’re good to go.
Urban Outfitters, $16
- Compression Leggings
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Athleisure has never looked better — everyone say thank you, Meredith. And say thank you to Girlfriend Collective while you’re at it, because these leggings are super comfortable, and will have you ready for a round of tennis or golf.
Girlfriend Collective, $78
- Golf dress
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Black-and-white dresses or matching sets with a zipper and collar like this one are perfect for emulating Meredith’s preppier style. Of course, if you’d rather not actually play the sport the dress is intended for, you’re welcome to lounge by the pool — or, you know, in your dorm — instead.
Halara, $50
- Gold hoops
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Gold accessories dress up some of the athleisure to make it truly Meredith, and few things are more classic than a pair of little gold hoops. These ones are small enough to be more delicate, but still thick enough to match the energy of the bigger Meredith-core accessories you might pair them with, like your oversized sunglasses or sunhat.
REVOLVE, $45
- Red lipstick
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Hot girls wear red lipstick, and Meredith knows this. This Urban Decay Vice Hydrating Lipstick in Bad Blood will be a deep, attention-grabbing pop of color in your otherwise monochromatic look.
Sephora, $19
- Sunhat
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Even the star of the movie needs some sun protection. Give your sunglasses a UV-ray-beating buddy with a wide-brimmed, rounded, black straw hat, just like the one Meredith wears when we meet her in the movie.
J.Crew, $60
- LBD
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Alright, enough casual wear — if you want to channel your inner Meredith when you go out at night, all you need is an LBD in a classic, fitted silhouette like this one. Go for a midi length rather than something shorter, to give your outfit a more mature feel.
Lulus, $62
- Gray blazer
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You might not think an oversized jacket is an intuitive fashion choice for the summer heat, but Meredith pulls off the blazer with flair in the movie, and you can too. The best part about a piece like this: It goes with almost everything, and you’ll get a ton of use out of it.
ASOS, $34
- Black top-handle purse
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Need something to store your lipstick in? A small-to-medium sleek black purse with gold hardware is a great way to tie storage into your outfit without sacrificing style.
REVOLVE, $90
- Sandal heels
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You can dress them up, and you can dress them down — a black sandal with a skinny kitten heel will tie your whole look together with a delicate touch (just no running by the pool!).
DSW, $50
