Legally Blonde is 15 today. We know, we can’t believe it either. We can’t thank Reese Witherspoon enough for bringing Elle Woods to our screens, giving us iconic looks, career inspiration and proving that blondes are anything but dumb. Elle Woods was 2001’s biggest screen icon, and 15 years on her nuggets of wisdom are still completely relevant, so we’ve compiled a list of 7 things Legally Blonde taught us. In Elle, we trust.

Life is too short not to have fun all the time

Elle proved to us that literally EVERYTHING can be fun, you just have to make it so. Making notes in a uni class – fun when you have a pink fluffy pen. Awkward icebreakers – fun when you give unusual details about yourself. Even courtrooms can be fun when you manage to prove your client innocent through perm maintenance knowledge.

Whoever said orange is the new pink was seriously disturbed

100% true. Who would ever say such a thing? Pink will always be in.

Don’t let anyone get in your way

Elle was told countless times that she couldn’t do it – by her horrible boyfriend, the other students in her class, and even her professors. Did she listen? No. She went out and shocked them all by proving the innocence of her client by using a piece of information that no one else would have considered for a second, proving that she was a better lawyer than all of them combined – even in her bright pink ensemble (a look we envy to this day).

Celebrate yourself

Always one to celebrate and share her achievements, Elle was proud of everything she did, from getting into Harvard Law, to getting acing her History of Polka Dots module. All your achievements in life are worth celebrating, from using legal jargon in everyday life to teaching your girls the bend and snap.

You must always have faith in yourself

When she graduated top of her class, Elle Woods gave a speech that made us feel all tingly inside. After being relentlessly told she wasn’t good enough, Elle graduated with job offers left, right and centre, but that would never have happened if she didn’t believe in herself. Telling us that “you must always have faith in yourself,” Elle taught us one of the most important lessons we’ve ever learnt. This is one we’ll never forget.

Dogs are a woman’s best friend

Isn’t Bruiser Woods just the cutest? Elle emphasised the importance of having a beloved pet in our lives, giving us a permanent side-kick to support us through all those hard times. There is nothing like a pet’s undying love, especially when they’re as stylish as Bruiser. Dogs really are a woman’s best friend.

Never be afraid to be yourself

Elle Woods would never change for anyone, and neither should you. If you want to use a big pink fluffy pen – go for it. If you want to use your knowledge of perms in a courtroom – go ahead. Yes, she got some funny looks in the corridors of Harvard Law, but she came out on top after refusing to mold herself into what they wanted. Elle Woods was a force of nature and ferociously believed in herself, never doubting herself for a single second.