THE RACHEL GREEN EFFECT
A big part of womanhood is always holding a deep desire to look and dress like Rachel Green.
‘So, what are we doing today?’. The question I hear roughly every six months when I FINALLY pluck up the courage (a.k.a. I’ve gotten too fed up with my roots) to pay an alarming amount to get my hair done.
Each time I respond by pulling up a Pinterest photo of Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston – but do I need to tell you that?) circa season 6. The image of her natural golden blonde highlights and long face-framing layers is permanently etched in my frontal lobe.
Dare I say I would give up a limb to have her hair (okay, okay not a vital limb, perhaps just my pinkie finger!!!)
I like to think that getting your hair cut or coloured like Rachel Green is a mandatory step in womanhood. I can only imagine how many women have asked for the ‘Rachel cut’ since Friends first aired in 1994.
Despite my hairdresser’s wonderful work. I can’t help but leave the salon a little disappointed, every time. The source of said disappointment — my sheer delusion. Before I’ve even sat down in the chair, I will have already falsely envisioned that my haircut and colour will transform me into Rachel Green herself.
Each time I find myself underwhelmed by the discovery that I have in fact not miraculously metamorphosed, in the three hours I’ve sat there, into Rachel Green. But have instead transformed into someone who if you really (emphasis on the really) squinted your eyes (from an extremely far distance) could be mistaken for ‘someone that looks just a tiny bit like the Madame Tussauds replica of Jennifer Aniston’.
However, it’s not just her hair that makes her character so memorable. Every time I switch on Friends (which is most days) I find myself wishing I had her wardrobe. Falling in the category of 90’s minimalism it includes baby tees, capris, miniskirts paired with knee-high boots, the occasional dungaree short and of course the ICONIC long green dress.
Much like the Rachel cut, I like to envisage recreating Rachel Greens’ style as an obligatory step in womanhood. We’ve all — or at least I have — stood in front of the mirror, wearing something along the lines of a checkered mini-skirt or graphic baby tee and have deceived ourselves into thinking that ‘it is giving Rachel Green’.
Luckily, Vinted or Depop makes it a bit easier to replicate her style. If you type up Rachel Green on Vinted 500+ results will emerge. Meanwhile, over on Depop @bellavrana ethically manufactures staple basics to help you achieve the Rachel Green look.
So what are you waiting for? Get shopping sustainably and become the Rachel Green you’ve always wanted to be.
P.S. I’m going to watch Friends right after I publish this, and you should too!
