20 years on: Why 13 Going On 30 was so iconic for fashion

A look into Jenna Rink's wardrobe 20 years later...

Adam Lovegrove
16th May 2024
Image credit: Tony Hoffarth, flikr, Wikkimedia Commons
The early 2000s were a revolutionary time for fashion, from the rise of Y2K at the start of the millennium, to the revival of old styles via vintage clothing, to the ever growing influence of hip-hop and pop artists on the industry. Gary Winick’s rom-com 13 Going On 30 captured the style of this era perfectly, as well as influencing the world of fashion for years to come.

The wardrobe of Jennifer Garner’s character, Jenna Rink, serves as a time capsule for fashion trends of the 2000s, covering so many styles that defined the fashion of the time, most notably the iconic multicoloured dress she wears to the party that perfectly embodies Y2K energy of the era. So much of the film’s success in it’s fashion department is owed to costume designer Susie DeSanto, who meticulously crafted Garner’s wardrobe for the film, aiming to impress through every outfit with designer brands, jewellery and hairstyles to any given scene.

I think what makes the film’s message so powerful to this day is the way it resonates with the timeless teenage desire to be past your awkward growing-up phase, hoping everything will be alright when you're finally an adult. 13 Going On 30 tells the story of this struggle through Jenna’s hopes of being “thirty, flirty and thriving,” suddenly waking up as a thirty year old fashion editor. But despite having everything she wished for, she discovers she won’t be truly happy without her family and the boy she loves, waking back up as a child and and choosing to live her true dream life, not one surrounded by material things.

13 Going On 30 remains as iconic as ever, acting both as a cautionary tale for teenagers as well as a relatable rom-com to adults who have felt the same way as Jenna before. It’s influence on the fashion industry is near unparalleled by other films, with people replicating Jenna’s outfits for Halloween costumes and selling headdresses on sites like Etsy, remaining in style a whole 20 years after it’s release.

AUTHOR: Adam Lovegrove
BA English Literature | Head of Culture

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