Plastic fantastic! As noughties chick flick Mean Girls is set for a Gen Z revival, how TikTokers are reclaiming the 'bimbo' aesthetic in a new wave of feminism (with a little help from Taylor Swift and Margot Robbie)

In the noughties, calling a young woman a 'bimbo' was one of the worst insults you could possibly pick out.

Although it acknowledged their attractiveness, the put-down insinuated that the person in question is unintelligent, vapid and naive.

But thanks to the recent release of the Barbie movie and Taylor Swift's Eras tour, Generation Z are now reclaiming the once derogatory term for themselves. 

On TikTok, the '#Bimbo' has amassed over three billion views - while 'bimbo aesthetic' boasts a further 14.9m as users demonstrate how to recreate hot pink noughties-inspired outfits.

And with the Mean Girls remake hitting screens in January, the 'Bimbo-core' trend shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. 

Here FEMAIL takes a look at the rise of 'bimbo feminism' - and why Regina George and Paris Hilton have become Gen Z's unlikely role models.

When the Barbie movie debuted in cinemas in July, it caused Mattel's sales to sky-rocket by 16 per cent.

However, it also had an effect on fashion and beauty trends the worldover - with Pantone naming Viva Magenta the colour of 2023.

Like To Know It, an affiliate marketing platform, said that they have seen a 194 per cent increase in 'purchases from Barbie-related posts' when stills from the movie first emerged.

According to Good Morning America, searches for hot-pink items on Etsy went up 35 per cent from 2021 to 2022. 

'With many nostalgic for simpler, sunnier, and more carefree times, it only makes sense that this '80s-inspired, unapologetically pink aesthetic is taking center stage as the "it" style of the summer,' Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johsnon said.

'A much-welcomed mood-booster after the last few years, Barbiecore is all about embracing vibrant hues - particularly the doll's signature hot pink - in everyday life.'

Although previous generations were quick to dismiss Barbie as a bimbo, Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody noted how she is now being celebrated for exactly this.

Speaking to GQ in July, he said: 'If you look up ‘Barbie’ on TikTok you’ll find this wonderful subculture that celebrates the feminine, but in 2014, taking this skinny blonde white doll and making her into a heroine was a tall order.'

According to Rolling Stone, the modern-day bimbo are 'all-inclusive, gender-neutral leftist icons' who are 'pro-sex work, pro-LGBTQ, pro-BLM and anti-straight white male'.

Last summer, TikTok user Molly - who describes herself as a 'Barbie stan' - posted a video of herself showing off some of her 'bimbo-inspired outfits'.

In the nine-second clip, the social media star showed her 30,000 followers some ensembles inspired by the noughties.

The first consisted of a white satin pleated skirt paired with a hot pink butterfly. Next, the fashionista happily showed off her pink floral hoodie which she wore with a matching drawstring miniskirt.

A few months later, TikToker Isabella Demarko followed on from this video with a clip showing her putting together a 'bimbo' outfit for when it's 'cold out'. 

The ensemble consists of a plunging pink V-neck cardigan and pleated mini skirt - which has been heavily inspired by Plastics member Gretchen Wieners in the movie Mean Girls. 

Meanwhile, TikToker Linnea Bendiksen posted a video of her makeup look - complete with light pink lip gloss and heavy foundation - after transforming into a 'bimbo'. 

What's more, TikTok star Sydney also filmed herself adapting her 'bimbo' pink jacket for various excursions - including a trip to the bank or going clubbing. 

Explaining how the term 'bimbo' has been reclaimed in a TikTok video, New York-based influencer Vivian said:  'Bimbofication is no longer just getting lip fillers and hair extensions, wearing gogo boots. 

'I think to me it represents presenting yourself in a feminine way while living in a patriarchal society. 

'Especially in the male-dominated field I work in, I feel if I present myself in a very feminine way, if I express myself through the way I dress, my hair, my make-up, then people have misconceptions about who I am. 

'They might think I am less intelligent or I don't speak as eloquently, personal things about me they can assume based on seeing me for a second. So in turn, me calling myself a bimbo is kind of reclaiming that identity and not letting men tell me who I am. 

'So, I know I'm smart and capable and it's almost letting them play into that idea so I can prove them wrong.

'I find presenting myself in a way where I'm wearing little mini skirts of cute heels is enjoyable. Being a bimbo to me represents doing what you enjoy, presenting yourself in any physical way you would like.'  

Leaders of 'BimboTok' include influencer Chrissy Chlapecka, who boasts more than four million followers on the platform and is known for her hyper-feminine aesthetic and videos including 'how to be a bimbo 101'. 

Speaking to Glamour magazine about her self-appointed bimbo status, she said the term means someone who wants to 'celebrate and appreciate their own hyper-femininity which they express in their own, special way'.