Plastic fantastic! As noughties chick flick Mean Girls is set for a Gen Z revival, how TikTokers are reclaiming the ‘bimbo’ aesthetic in a new wave of feminism (with a little help from Taylor Swift and Margot Robbie)

In the 1990s, calling a young woman a “bimbo” was one of the worst insults you could think of.

While its appeal was acknowledged, the criticism insinuated that the person in question is unintelligent, vapid and naive.

But thanks to the recent release of the Barbie movie and Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, Generation Z is now reclaiming the once derogatory term for themselves.

On TikTok, ‘#Bimbo’ has been viewed more than three billion times – while ‘bimbo aesthetic’ has a further 14.9 million views, as users demonstrate how to recreate bright pink, 1990s-inspired outfits.

And with the The remake of Mean Girls hits screens in January, the ‘Bimbo-core’ trend shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Here, FEMAIL takes a look at the rise of ‘bimbo feminism’ – and why Regina George and Paris Hilton have become Gen Z’s unlikely role models.

When the Barbie movie debuted in theaters in July, Mattel’s sales shot up 16 percent.

However, it also had an effect on fashion and beauty trends around the world – with Pantone declaring Viva Magenta the color of 2023.

Like To Know It, an affiliate marketing platform, said they saw a 194 percent increase in “purchases from Barbie-related posts” when photos from the film first appeared.

According to Good morning AmericaSearches for bright pink items on Etsy increased by 35 percent between 2021 and 2022.

“With many nostalgic for simpler, sunnier, and more carefree times, it only makes sense that this ’80s-inspired, unapologetically pink aesthetic takes center stage as summer’s ‘it’ style,” says Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johsnon. .

“A much-welcomed mood-lifter after recent years, Barbiecore is all about embracing vibrant hues – especially the doll’s signature hot pink – in everyday life.”

Although previous generations were quick to dismiss Barbie as a bimbo, Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody noted how she is now celebrated for exactly this.

Speak with GQ in July he said: “If you look up ‘Barbie’ on TikTok you’ll find a beautiful subculture that celebrates the feminine, but in 2014 it was a tall order to turn this skinny, blonde, white doll into a heroine.”

According to Rolling stoneare today’s bimbo “all-inclusive, gender-neutral left-wing icons” who are “pro-sex work, pro-LGBTQ, pro-BLM, and anti-straight white men.”

Last summer, TikTok user Molly — who describes herself as a “Barbie Stan” — posted a video showing off some of her “bimbo-inspired outfits.”

In the nine-second clipthe social media star showed her 30,000 followers some ensembles inspired by the noughties.

The first consisted of a white satin pleated skirt paired with a bright pink butterfly. The fashionista then happily showed off her pink floral hoodie which she wore with a matching drawstring mini skirt.

A few months later, TikToker Isabella Demarko follows up this video with a clip of her putting together a ‘bimbo’ outfit for when it’s ‘cold’.

The ensemble consists of a deep pink V-neck cardigan and a pleated mini skirt – which is heavily inspired by Plastics member Gretchen Wieners in the film Mean Girls.

In the meantime, TikToker Linnea Bendiksen posted a video of her makeup look – complete with pale pink lip gloss and heavy foundation – after transforming into a ‘bimbo’.

Additionally, TikTok star Sydney also filmed herself adjusting her ‘bimbo’ pink jacket for various excursions – including a trip to the bank or going out.

Explain how the term ‘bimbo’ was reclaimed in a TikTok video, New York-based influencer Vivian said: ‘Bimbofication is no longer just getting lip fillers and hair extensions, wearing go-go boots.

“I think for me it represents presenting yourself in a feminine way while living in a patriarchal society.

‘Especially in the male-dominated field that I work in, I feel like if I present myself in a very feminine way, if I express myself through the way I dress, my hair, my makeup, people have misconceptions about who I am. .

“They may think I’m less intelligent or that I don’t speak as eloquently, personally, things that they can assume from just seeing me. So by calling myself a bimbo, it’s kind of like reclaiming that identity and not allowing men to tell me who I am.

“So I know I’m smart and capable, and it almost means they’re playing on that idea so I can prove them wrong.

‘I like to present myself in a way where I wear little mini skirts with cute heels. To me, being a bimbo means doing what you like, presenting yourself in whatever physical way you want.”

Leaders of ‘BimboTok’ include influencer Chrissy Chlapecka, who has more than four million followers on the platform and is known for her hyper-feminine aesthetic and videos including ‘how to be a bimbo 101’.

Speaking to Glamor magazine about her self-proclaimed bimbo status, she said the term means someone who wants to “celebrate and appreciate their own hyper-femininity, which they express in their own special way.”