Image Courtesy of Focus Features, This Is That Production and Anonymous Content.
If you’re a millennial, you probably remember the mid-noughties rise of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl (MPDG), courtesy of film critic Nathan Rabin (but really Hollywood’s male writers and directors). To a certain degree, they too must have been pretty tired of the unattainable female stereotypes circulating screens and so they started to project their new desires into another fantasy woman: The MPDG. She was a fresh breath of air from either the purely sexy yet lost or seemingly shallow damsel in distress type of roles or the boring one-dimensional mother or wife figures, both defining major parts of previous decades in film.
Chances are you even wanted to be her: alluring, free-spirited, adventurous, excellent taste in music, inspiring and inspired, different (as in “you’re not like other girls“) and – the best part – having a valuable perspective on life. Sounds like progress, right? Finally some complex and influential characters, who dare to be truly themselves? Well, not really. The trouble with the conception of MPDG becomes quickly apparent: the always quirky, always white girl exists more or less only as a plot device. Namely to save the sensitive male protagonist from himself, teach him how magical life can be if he would only embrace it. All of her qualities are solemnly deployed in the service of his rescue – she’s the forever supporting act without any personal agency of her own. Sometimes, she doesn’t even want to fall in love (500 days of Summer). Often after her job is done, she sends the hero back onto his path and disappears.
However, the MPDG might have unconsciously initiated another important (fashion) lesson. This time it’s one for the women and femme presenting, which continued to grow stronger over time: she wasn’t really dressing for the male gaze. Sure, she still confirmed certain beauty ideals but you could notice a slight shift. Blue hair, no make-up, grandma accessories or layers of clothes topped off with a hoodie. Back then, her style represented something new. She was comfortable in her skin and more creative and daring in her fashion choices, her primary concern wasn’t to appeal.
Let’s Explore The SLEEK TOP 10 Manic Pixie Dream Girl Style Icons:
Image Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures, Dune Entertainment and Watermark.
1. Summer in “500 DAYS OF SUMMER” (2009).
Summer is the ultimate MPDG and key focus of the male character’s obsession and desire to feel alive. She loves The Smiths (the protagonist’s favourite band), is quirky, spontaneous and fun-loving, even going to IKEA is so much fun for her that she takes him on a date there. Everything we learn about Summer, we learn through the protagonist.
Image Courtesy of Focus Features, This Is That Production and Anonymous Content.
2. Clementine in “ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND” (2004).
“I’m not a concept. Too many guys think I’m a concept or I complete them or I’m going to ‘make them alive’…but I’m just a fucked up girl who’s looking for my own peace of mind. Don’t assign me yours.” Besides being pretty self-aware (see aforementioned quote), Clementine serves many cool hairstyle and colours as well as vintage combos.
Image Courtesy of Universal Studios, Marc Platt Productions, Big Talk Productions, Closed on Monday Entertainment, Dentsu, Relativity Media and Scott Pilgrim Productions.
3. Ramona in “SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD” (2010).
Ramona is a self-proclaimed “Ninja delivery girl”, minding her own business while she is getting over a break-up. By defeating Ramona’s evil exes, Scott is finally able to access his full superpower potential. Her style is giving steampunk meets Japanese gamer.
Image Courtesy of Paramount Pictures, Cruise/Wagner Productions and Vinyl Films.
4. Claire in “ELIZABETHTOWN” (2005).
Another ultimate MPDG. Claire comes into Drew’s life as a stranger as if she intuitively knew he desperately needed a good time. Her casual indie sleaze vibes seem contagious. Her job as a stewardess says she is adventurous and has no strings attached. She makes him a mixtape, sends him on a roadtrip and helps him find joy in life again.
Image Courtesy of Dreamworks Pictures, Columbia Pictures and Vinyl Film.
5. Penny in “ALMOST FAMOUS” (2001). This is another movie where music plays an important role, the band aid Penny is deeply mysterious, romantic, soulful and captivating. Her tinted sunglasses, big furry coat and curly hair make her the essence of Rock’n’Roll and the ultimate muse.
Image Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures, Camelot Pictures, Large's Ark Productions, Jersey Films and Camelot Entertainment Group.
6. Sam in “GARDEN STATE” (2005).
Here we have another exhausted and sad guy, whose life is in shambles and who needs to travel home to take care of some family business. He randomly meets a girl, Sam, and from then on she is tagging alone, restoring some life and ease in him and eventually falling in love. Sam’s style is very casual and girl-next-door, headphones as accessory and functional wear.
Image Courtesy of The Bureau, EM Media , IFC Films and Film4 Productions.
7. Vera in “LONDON NIGHTS” (2009).
Vera is an artsy and shy young woman, almost a young British inspired version of Amélie Poulain (even though she’s Belgian). During the day she works at a local bookshop in London and dwells in all the stories surrounding her. She moved there, to overcome a break-up when she meets a guy, who is in search of his father and himself.
Image Courtesy of Mr. Mudd Productions and Summit Entertainment.
8. Sam in “THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER” (2012).
Sam is the kind and supportive act, she is quirky and thinks vinyl sounds better. She’s also a cool girl and takes the male protagonist under her wing, eventually helping him mature into the person he is supposed to be. She seems to be balancing the act between “that girl” and “not that girl” perfectly, which also comes to show in her style, altering between cute college attire and dreamy dresses.
Image Courtesy of Universal Pictures, Jersey Films, Loofah Productions and Red Hour Productions.
9. Polly in “ALONG CAME POLLY” (2004).
It’s already in the title: Polly comes to make things better. Reuben is a risk analyst who is working for a big insurance company and has been cheated on in his first week of marriage. And along comes Polly, an old high school friend of Reuben’s. Although Polly might not be a typical MPDG, she does teaches Reuben to take some risks in life and her laid back boho style is a contrast to the classic and conservative style of the wife he was married to.
Image Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures and Bona Fide Productions.
10. Ruby in “RUBY SPARKS” (2012).
Ruby is literally the incarnated fantasy of a young tortured writer, who is suffering from writer’s block. She is the materialized muse and perfect romantic partner. She is sparkly, charismatic and not afraid to match colours. The only problem is that her life is completely controlled through the words of the writer. When he realizes that she is unfree, he let’s her go and writes a bestselling novel out of this experience.