As Tatler first reported, an unlikely fashion icon emerged earlier this season at Miu Miu’s autumn/winter 2023 show in the form of Bridget Jones, whose big pants dilemma in the 2001 movie must have been at the forefront of Miuccia Prada’s mind when she created the brand’s sequin-saturated ones for the runway. There is no question that said pants are well and truly back in style when you note Dolce & Gabbana’s bedazzled pair, and Tom Ford’s recently launched boxers and briefs for women.

Ms Prada’s invocation of the 2000s’ most lovable (and, until now, least fashionable) character recalls the wonderful time in film and TV that was the mid-90s and ’00s, when Hollywood rom-coms peaked and stars like Lindsay Lohan, Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway were emerging.

And however you defined yourself, there was something for you. In your early 20s and house-sharing? Friends (1994-2004) was reality. Experimenting with your rebellious side? The Craft (1996) channelled all the angst. Newly single? Bridget Jones knew just how you felt. So it pleases us immensely that, this season, the world’s best designers have taken us on a trip through the era.

A case in point is hot pink’s recent revival. Some might credit it to Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie film, but we’ve traced its origins back to the you-can’t-sit-with-us moments of Mean Girls (2004), and Reese Witherspoon’s utterly fabulous wardrobe in Legally Blonde (2001). In fact, we can just imagine Elle Woods as a regular on Sloane Street if she were a Londoner. The very same Tiffany & Co. necklace and bracelet from the film are still available in the iconic Return to Tiffany line, while Prada’s smart pink gingham trousers are the ultimate in law-school-but-make-it-chic. Valentino’s entire Pink PP collection, too, could have come out of Woods’s video application to study at Harvard University (they do pink accessories for tiny dogs too, of course), and the brand’s fuchsia Rockstud pumps are the only shoes to wear when perfecting your bend-and-snap.

 And while we continue to await the invention of Cher Horowitz’s digital wardrobe, Gucci has at least created a marvellous skirt suit that, although not bright yellow, channels the spirit of the checked two-piece that became Clueless’s (1995) biggest star after Alicia Silverstone. Ganni on the King’s Road has played the Clueless game this season, too, with a pinstriped set that is more ‘soignée’ than ‘sophomore’.

For those who adore the ’00s but love the ’70s even more – or more specifically, Kate Hudson in 2000’s Almost Famous – there is much to appreciate in Isabel Marant’s Étoile line at Harvey Nichols, and in Rag & Bone’s perennially rock’n’roll collections. Anya Hindmarch’s woven bag also qualifies as suitable ‘band-aid’ attire – slip your festival tickets and Saint Laurent sunglasses inside and you’re good to go.

Speaking of Hudson – who can forget her pale gold satin dress from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)? Loewe and Galvan clearly haven’t, because they’ve captured its late-90s minimalistic essence in their versions, both available at Harvey Nichols.

Finally, a case of fashion inception, perhaps? 2006’s The Devil Wears Prada (2006) began as an industry satire, but has since come to influence the fashion world through its outfits and quotes (florals for spring, anyone?). Valentino Garavani himself made a cameo in the film (and designed Miranda Priestly’s black gown), so it’s fitting that his brand has created a selection of looks perfect for Anne Hathaway’s character, Andy, this season. Her boss would certainly approve.