I’m not going to argue it’s anything but a terrible film - it’s a dreadful representation of women, romance, the music industry and of working long hours in a bar serving twats with a hard-on for damaged girls. But, I will argue to the death that Coyote Ugly has some of the most covetable costumes in the history of cinematography.
If you haven’t seen Coyote Ugly, then you were either born after 2000, or there is something wrong with you. It’s the heartwarming tale of a small town girl trying to break into the hard knock music industry, while disappointing her father and falling for a dishy Aussie. Along the way, there’s a lot of whisky spilt and bar-top dancing.
For ten-year-old me it was an education. To the soundtrack of LeAnn Rimes, I learnt that I couldn’t fight the moonlight, that Tyra Banks can act, that leather bras could be worn as tops and that there was no shame in a slut-drop. The outfits were peak early noughties, and the hair was The Rachel, but on speed and with stripey blonde highlights. Fashion trends come and go, but right now as we ride a wave of nostalgia the look of the early 2000s is back. So, tell me, 17-years-on since the film’s release if, like me, you’re not still craving Piper Perabo's leopard print crop top, or Bridget Moynahan’s lace-up leather trousers and thick-ass diamante belt buckle collection?
Lace-up Snakeskin Trousers
I’m 99% sure Bella Hadid wore a near-identical pair just a few weeks ago. And, let's be honest, whatever Bella does I’m willing to copy. There’s something raunchy - in a good way - about these. They are provocative, overtly sexy and say more about the wearer and their confidence than nearly any other trouser out there.
Vests As A T-Shirt
While Kate Moss may have been a big fan of wearing a menswear vest as a top around the same time this film came out, the Coyote Ugly squad wore it in an entirely different way. Mossy and Sienna Miller erred on the side of vintage/boho-chic teaming it with flowing Matthew Williamson dresses and gladiator sandals, while Maria Bello wore it buttoned-up and with nothing underneath. She took this stuffy piece of men's tailoring and made it unapologetically sexy. Team Maria all the way!
Bootcut Trousers
By 2003 skinny jeans had banished bootcut trousers to the back of our wardrobes, but after years in the dark, it’s time to dust them off. Think of them as the natural conclusion of last year’s kick flare and cropped culottes trend. I want to wear them low like Tyra Banks and with a cropped sleeveless top like Piper Perabo.
Low Slung Cowboy Belts
Big, chunky and encrusted with bling - nothing says millennium quite like an oversized belt buckle. While most of us wore them loosely slung over tiered skirts and flowing wanderlust dresses, the Coyote Ugly crew teamed them with bootcut jeans and snakeskin trousers.
Cropped Spaghetti Strap Tops
Nothing shows off your belly button piercing as well as a cropped spaghetti strap top. They are liable to roll up whenever you make the slightest move, so tread carefully with this trend.
Hip-Dripping Pencil Skirts
Back in 2000 wearing anything high rise was laughable. Seriously, we’d only mums wore mom jeans. Anything low enough to show off your hip bones (and your thong) was good enough for the Coyote Ugly girls and therefore is good enough for me.
Tailored Leather Jackets
Forget the biker jacket, what I want more than anything is a mid-length tailored leather jacket. It’s a little bit Fools and Horses, a lot Violet during her big move from small-town kid to NY vagabond. I’d wear it with kick flares and a polo.
Like this? Then you might also be interested in...
9 Cuuute Earrings For Under 9 Quid For Your Cartilage Piercing
Are We Seeing Triple? Or, Are ASOS, Elvi And H&M Selling The Same Dress?
Follow Lucy on Instagram @lucyalicemorris
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.