TV & Film
Back in the early 2000s, the term “girlboss” might as well have been invented by three chic high schoolers from Beverly Hills—Sam, Clover, and Alex. The hit children’s show Totally Spies! took the world by storm, introducing young audiences to the trio who lived dual lives as international spies under the World Organization of Human Protection (WOOHP).
Though it’s been years since the last release, the series is reported to make a comeback with a new season currently in the works. As past avid fans or even just casual viewers of Totally Spies! hit their dreaded twenties, this might be the sign to revisit the show they grew up loving.
Here are some of the ways the show inspires us to get our lives together.
A divine sense of style
It’s a no-brainer to say that the creators of the show were very liberal in creating the overall aesthetic. Just take a peek at Clover’s room. We all wanted (and still want) that funky rug, spacious bed, and bright pink teddy bear.
The girls were also the fashion icons at the time, and still are today. You never see them repeat the same outfit twice (except for their spy uniforms, of course). With the popular Y2K aesthetic reemerging, the show offers a style inspiration, even for some YouTube creators. Anyone interested in this fashion trend can simply pull out an episode of Totally Spies! as a trusted reference for a personal lookbook.
They traveled everywhere all the time, and for free.
Sure, they had to deal with bizarre villains intent on destroying the world, but at least that came with free rides and cross-country vacations! The moment they got sucked into the WOOHP headquarters (which by the way, was a whole adventure in itself), there’s no telling where the girls would end up. They could be found roaming the cities of Japan, examining temples in Egypt, and even enjoying a Hawaii getaway vacation.
While fighting criminals isn’t exactly the ideal image of a vacation, traveling daily sure is. We all wished we were living the spies’ “Material Girl” lives (minus the violent action, of course).
Insanely balanced time management
From fighting off the most evil criminals around to staying on top of their school work, it’s an understatement to say the girls had amazing time management skills. They managed to maintain A’s and B’s even after traveling the world at ungodly hours. Forget study gurus, we need Sam’s Notion template now!
Of course, they’re not perfect, most memorably noted when Alex quit being a spy due to problems in school and missions. But one thing we can all learn from the girls is to carve out time for the things we love.
Feminine confidence at its finest
You can forget all about the “damsel in distress” stereotype when Totally Spies! is in the picture. Finding role models for little girls is easy, with every episode living and breathing female empowerment. Furthermore, girls on kids shows aren’t typically seen handling weapons, but Totally Spies! is an exception. With WOOHP’s high-tech weapons at their disposal (which looked like beauty products, by the way), the girls prove that you can be ready for anything with whatever’s inside your purse.
All you need in life are your besties, and this show is a true testament to that. Throughout the seasons, Sam, Clover, and Alex proved to be that inseparable group we all wanted to be a part of. From civilian life to spy missions, their unconditional support for each other made them a power trio like no other. As Clover once said, “You’re going to give me moral support and no, you don’t have a choice.”
From fashion to femininity and friendship, Totally Spies! never failed to be the exact manifestation of girl power. These teenage girls would beat the world’s most notorious criminals (ones not even Charlie’s Angels could conquer) and still be on top of their schoolwork and the latest fashion trends. While we may expect differences in the new season, we can only anticipate the same impeccable energy that Totally Spies! originally brought into the world.
