Spice World Changed My Style
Or, how the Spice Girls (specifically Mel B.) got me to love platforms, rompers, and glasses again, plus much more.
Hello! I had the good fortune of watching the 1997 film Spice World the other night and it was honestly, I think, the best new-to-me film I saw in all of 2025. Alan Cumming being in it had me predisposed to loving the film but I was shocked at how underrated this campy wonderland of homoerotic femininity truly is, especially sartorially. The clothes that struck the most vibrant chords for me were all sported by Mel B., and considering the PR machine tried its best to nerf her racistly by making her do “Scary” faces in every group photo, it’s all the more impressive that she still shone like a beacon of coolest-woman-you-know light among the rowdy gang. From astronaut-like anoraks to devil horn beanies to the comfiest-looking rompers known to man, Melanie Brown’s outfits have me completely rethinking not only what I wear, but how I wear it. Read on for more insights, tips, and ideas re: how to capture Scary’s insouciant-but-seductive charm, plus commentary on a few other Spice Girls’ looks for democratic good measure.
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Sellout Segment
Before we begin the main event, I have decided that I’m going to try and include a few items every week that I either genuinely want or recently purchased with my own $$ in an effort to be more consistent with my affiliate links without being a total monster and compromising the quality of my blog, most of which is, as you know, centered around more abstract content and secondhand or DIY buys. I will always provide rationale for my recs and they will never be behind a paywall—even just clicking them helps me in my efforts to start getting free stuff from companies I’ve been giving free PR to for going on 5 years now, so your attention is much appreciated (and the stuff I’m including is actually cool and/or useful—no $890 fuckass jelly flats here, thanks)!
My doctor told me I should really invest in some compression socks for my POTS, but the A*azon ones I “invested” in ended up leaving my under-knee area red and irritated. Luckily, Comrad heard wind of this and sent me a few pairs (true comrades, eh?)—these are legit, making me feel like a happy, comfortably encased sausage instead of a raw, scratchy sausage. I like the firm compression the best for my POTS but the medium is surprisingly compressive too. I will always, always choose striped socks when they’re an option, so I went with the colorways above.
I would never have thought that I’d be so taken with a jammy scent, but this buttery, toasty, fruity joy has me in a chokehold as I desperately try to siphon what little joy I can out of the wintry darkness—I even bought a candle of the scent for Black Friday (it’s still on sale, along with the EDT!).
This was Mel B.’s most-worn outfit in the film, a flagship look if you will, and it immediately reminded me of how my friend Ellie dresses when she goes clubbing: in something that looks like an Austin Powers character’s pajamas (a little cheesy-retro but also futuristic and streamlined) but made sexy via cut or silhouette (or detail like a peeking-out leopard print bra), plus solely practical accessories like Mel’s headband and teensy glasses above. Ok, maybe the ginormous platforms aren’t so practical, but I think they’re gestating in comeback territory and some time soon we’ll see the bravest among us tie five-inch bricks to our sneakers à la these ladies. The key to wearing a romper and not looking like a child is sticking to something tight, slinky, and casual but keeping it unbuttoned and uncuffed. Above, you can see how impossibly practical the look is for winter: throw a huge, puffy coat over it and you’re ready to roll. Lastly, Mel B. single-handedly brought back my love of wearing glasses as part of a look rather than forsaking them when I go out, specifically tiny, skinny, rectangular glasses, preferably paired with voluminous curls.
Here’s another impeccable romper look for those (like myself) who don’t thrust their ankles to survive ten minutes in platforms. A colorful, skintight thing left strategically unzipped and worn with natural hair, the aforementioned glasses, and shin-high padded moto boots works just as well (and makes even more sense if you intend to go out dancing).
I couldn’t find any better pictures of this outfit so apologies for the Internet Archive rip, but I love that Mel B. has successfully fashionified a space suit by pairing a humongous white anorak dotted with brand-name patches with white cargo pants and sneakers. Underneath, I believe she’s wearing a tiny, bra-like tube top. This is another recipe for an immaculate wintertime club look when it’s below freezing outside but will be 95 degrees in the dance hall. With such a huge top, Mel’s choice of keeping her hair close to her scalp in Bantu knots is the perfect one.
Yet another nightlife look I have yet to see anyone attempt off a runway: a tiny, bikini-like set covered up with a bulky matching parka, a jaunty, voluminous cap, also in the same pattern/colors, added for good measure. Scary Spice might have broken the seal for me on liking camo clothes after decades of outspokenly hating them. I do recognize that military aesthetics have slowly been creeping into “trendy” wardrobes and it’s eerie that they’re becoming normalized, but I also am now more acquainted with radical leftist hunting culture and realize that tactical gear isn’t just for the right wing. I dunno, what do you think?