Troop Beverly Hills in on Netflix Instant which means I can relive that Girl Scout trip where we watched it on repeat between Long Island and Washington, D.C.
That’s so much Troop Beverly Hills, y’all.
If you haven’t seen it and that animated title sequence didn’t help you out, the cinematic experience that is Troop Beverly Hills revolves around one spoiled, rich Beverly Hills wife, Phyllis (played by Shelley Long) going through a divorce, signing up to be a Wilderness Girls troop leader, and basically discovering herself again. She naturally becomes a great mentor to the girls in the troop, who all come with the baggage expected with rich girls. She teaches them to be resourceful and proud of their skills and basically is the best, with the best looks. Again, while all this girl power and message of friendship and loyalty is wonderful and all, who really cares, because the costuming in this movie is MIRACULOUS. Let’s just look because I don’t even care about this movie as much as I care about everything Phyllis does.
Amazing Fashion Choices Made by Phyllis Neffler
Best Intro Outfit Ever.Haggling is an art form. Also, so is this dress.This is my ’30s spunky heroine with an empowered woman of the ’80s look.My Girl Scout meetings looked exactly like this. Except in the basement of a church. With old folding chairs. And sometimes no heat. But otherwise, exactly the same.I wear outfits like this to run errands all the time.I have a similar sleepwear palette, in that I wear grey leggings that are so old they’re sheer and paired with a black shirt I think I stole from my brother.Minnie Mouse chic.I don’t have any jokes to make here, I’m just in awe of everything that’s happening here.HANDS DOWN FAVORITE LOOK. EVEN THE DIVORCE COURT JUDGE LOVES THIS.This pastel taffeta nightmare is what happens when you spend too much time celebrating how good everything else looks.Phyllis isn’t just about stealing the spotlight. She’s content to pass it on to whatever Annie has inherited from her. Phyllis is a gift.Even when she isn’t even trying, Phyllis is better than you, with her sheer knee socks and her bowling shirt.Seriously, where does Phyllis shop for pjs because my free college T-shirt and leggings are not cutting it.I want that bird broach for every important meeting in my life. Nothing says power like a large black bird on your shoulder.
Phyllis Neffler is a Better Troop Leader than You
So the core of the story revolves around Phyllis as she becomes a troop leader and guides these girls through success. The biggest success is Phyllis overcoming the trauma of seeing the uniform.
How will our brave heroine ever recover from this?SHE RISES LIKE A PHOENIX, THAT’S HOW. Look at that boning!Crucial for all overnight camping trips: handbook, water, sleeping bag, fur coat, espresso machine, and a sit-upon.THIS IS WHAT TRAGEDY LOOKS LIKE. Will no one think of the fondue?Phyllis looking glamorous at the second part of the Girl Scout trip in her casual jammies, with her thoughtful bottle of champagne for one. She’s had a rough night.Khaki capes for everyone! Fun fact, in the 2000s, they updated the Girl Scout uniforms by switching to khaki, so you know, fashion forward or something.PHYLLIS NO. TAKE THAT OFF RIGHT NOW.
To move past Phyllis’s misguided attempt at cultural appreciation that turned into appropriation, let’s focus on her better attributes. Have you seen Phyllis dance?
For good measure, here’s Phyllis dancing the Mashed Potato for two full minutes, because the internet.
These girls are feeling it. Also their workout clothes are great.Phyllis has many versions of her Troop Leader uniform, including this beautiful nautical look.
You can see her dance costume version in the iconic Cookie Time performance.
So here’s to Phyllis Neffler. All glamour and style with a heart as golden as the lining of her cape.
Karishma is a twenty-something living in New York City and is trying her hardest to live out every cliche about Millennials. This involves eating her feelings, drowning in debt and mocking infomercials. She likes sociology so much that she has two degrees in it, and is still warding off her parents' questions about a real career.
