Chic To Be Geek, Hip To Be Square

Maria Sass | July 7th, 2011

“Sometimes, geeks can be chic” concluded Anna Wintour in her five-word acceptance speech as she received the “People’s Voice” award at this years Webby Awards (always pithy, that one). If that is the case, we must give homage to the most fashion-forward women we know, the original geeks. Yes, these five ladies were nerds before it was cool to be one… if that makes any sense.

Andrea Zuckerman, 90210 - Nothing says geek like coke-bottle glasses, big bangs, and unruly hair. Andrea was a dedicated high school student at West Beverly Hills High School (which was actually shot in Torrance, CA, just minutes from Wpromote HQ’s), who befittingly served as an editor of the West Beverly Blaze school paper. While her friends, you know, Shannon, Kelly, Donna and co., were consumed with attending parties and making out with boys, Andrea’s primary goal throughout high school was getting accepted to Yale. Atta girl!

Daria Morgendorffer, Daria - She has a sharp intellect, and even sharper tongue. Titular character Daria is an abrasively sarcastic “realist” who starred in MTV’s popular animated series, which unintentionally spun her into a cultural icon. This is quite ironic, because Daria would never want to be “popular.” In fact, she despised anything that even remotely pandered to the masses.

True to her nonconforming attitude, Daria proudly wore big, round glasses, combat boots, a blazer and pleated skirt. Take that, cheerleaders.

Josie Geller (better known as “Josie Grossie”), Never Been Kissed – Josie is a highly intelligent but socially inept, editor for the Chicago Sun-Times who was given the daunting task of going back to high school as part of an expose assignment. At first excited about this until her brother Rob reminds her that during high school she was labeled “Josie Grossie”, a nickname which continues to haunt her.

Josie ends the film with the ultimate “Geeks! Hear-hear!” moment:

“All of you people, there is a big world out there… bigger than prom, bigger than high school and it won’t matter if you were the prom queen, the quarterback of the football team, or the biggest nerd in school. Find out who you are and try not to be afraid of it.”

Let’s hear it for the nerds!

Laney Boggs, She’s All That - The morose, emo-turned-hot-chick, art student who paints her feelings. Laney happily lives a life in misery until the ever-stereotyped popular high school guy— a jock, aptly named Zach—accepts a bet that he can make Laney become Prom Queen. You know, because all guys in high school are so concerned with who will be crowned Prom Queen.

Classic popular girl vs. geek moment:

Popular girl Taylor Vaughan [spilling a drink on Laney]: Oh, Oopsie. You know, you really should be more careful with silk.
Laney Boggs: Thank you.
Taylor Vaughan: Excuse me?
Laney Boggs: Thank you. For a minute there, I forgot why I avoided places like this and people like you.
Taylor Vaughan: Avoided us? Honey, look around you. To everyone here who matters, you’re vapor, you’re spam, a waste of perfectly good yearbook space, and nothing’s ever gonna change that.

Ouch Taylor, ouch. That was like, deep. And you tell her Laney Boggs!

Michelle Flaherty, American Pie - This red-headed band geek truly needs no introduction, as she is responsible for what is probably the most famous line of the entire American Pie franchise.

“This one time, at band camp…”

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