Photo By Gail

Ah yes — the iconic Pink Skirt Suit worn by Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003) is one of the most memorable looks in early 2000s pop culture. This particular outfit is deeply tied to Elle’s character arc and fashion legacy.

Designed by Sophie de Rakoff, the film’s costume designer who also dressed Witherspoon in the first Legally Blonde, Sophie crafted Elle’s wardrobe to balance her “Barbie pink” aesthetic with a professional Washington D.C. twist in the sequel.

The skirt suit is a bold, almost electric bubblegum pink. It signifies Elle’s unwavering femininity even in the conservative and traditional setting of Capitol Hill.

The suit is sharply tailored — with a fitted jacket that features slight lapels and subtle detailing like contrast piping (white or lighter pink). The skirt is knee-length and straight, keeping it within the realm of “business attire,” but the color and styling make it uniquely Elle. Accessories include matching pink pumps and  a pink pillbox hat (a nod to Jackie Kennedy’s iconic D.C. style).

In Legally Blonde 2, this pink power suit becomes a symbol of challenging norms — Elle enters the political sphere without sacrificing her identity. The outfit says: “Yes, I’m feminine and fashionable, and I can take on Congress, too.” It has become a go-to reference for feminist fashion that doesn’t conform to masculine dress codes. It’s frequently recreated in Halloween costumes, cosplay, and even referenced in discussions about women in politics and leadership.

Fun fact:   Witherspoon was reportedly allowed to keep many of Elle’s costumes after filming wrapped — including that iconic Pink Suit!

Photographed in  the Academy Museum in Los Angeles.