“Clueless” and “Mean Girls” are both quintessential chick-flicks that have maintained their status as staples on my rewatch list for years. 

I love them both for many reasons, but there are some things that “Clueless” simply does better than “Mean Girls.” 

Both of them are fashion and romance — integral factors of enjoyment for any coming-of-age teen rom-com.

“Clueless” is a 1995 movie set primarily in Beverly Hills. It follows main character Cher and her group of wealthy,  teen friends through their troubles with romance, friendship and identity.

While “Mean Girls” and “Clueless” each represented the iconic styles of two very different eras, the “Clueless” costume designer and wardrobe department inarguably did a better job.

The costume designer for “Clueless,” Mona May, has worked on a number of popular ‘90s and 2000s movies, and for good reason. 

“Clueless” was May’s big break, and the iconic yellow plaid outfit she designed for Cher’s first day of school was a top-selling Halloween costume all over the world for 20 years after the movie’s release, according to one Forbes article.

Every single outfit in the movie was so cute and flattering to the characters as individuals.  

From the workout sets, to the party looks, to the everyday casual wear of the rich and beautiful ‘90s teens, the outfits in “Clueless” will beat out those in “Mean Girls” every time. 

There are some really cute outfits in “Mean Girls” too and as a lover of pink, they will always have a special place in my heart. 

That being said, a number of the outfits in “Mean Girls” were unmemorable at best, while most, if not all, of the “Clueless” outfits were uniquely beautiful and timeless. 

Not to mention the unforgettable opening scene of the movie where a program on Cher’s computer picks her outfit for her. 

And let’s be real, most of us would kill for Cher’s revolving closet.

I’m a huge romance fan and when it comes to sweet, exciting love stories, “Clueless” is a much better provider than “Mean Girls.”

Besides that of the main couple, Cher and Josh, there are three other romances that are developed throughout the movie that leave viewers smiling and sighing wistfully.

At the beginning of the movie, Cher and her best friend Dionne are shown playing cupid for two of their single, middle-aged teachers. 

What follows is a montage of shared coffee, long talks on school benches and kisses by cars that ultimately lead to a beautiful wedding for the unlikely lovebirds. 

Another romance in the movie is the one between Dionne and her long-time boyfriend Murray. 

Their relationship is sometimes troubled, but it is shown that they have a deep love and care for each other. It is so beautiful to see their bond revealed layer by layer throughout the movie. 

Of course, we can’t forget the story of Tai and her crush-turned-boyfriend Travis. 

Tai was the new-girl-turned-popular in “Clueless” who Cher and Dionne took under their wings as a friend and mentee, and Travis was the friendly burnout-skateboarder who was nowhere near their social status.

These two met early on in the movie and had an immediate connection, which was essentially forbidden by Cher and Dionne. 

Tai and Travis have small moments of connection and longing throughout the movie, and end up together in a sweet, accepting relationship that anyone with a heart would root for. 

From forbidden love, to childhood sweethearts, to second-chance romance, “Clueless” features a variety of love stories that keep me coming back to it.

The romance plots in “Mean Girls” were definitely interesting, but didn’t have me rooting for them or giggling and kicking my feet by any means. 

Regina and Aaron, her on-and-off boyfriend, were messy as hell, and so were Cady and Aaron. 

The only other romance I can think of in the movie was between Janice, the social outcast and personal enemy of Regina George, and Kevin Gnapoor, the captain of the mathletes. While it was really funny at times, I didn’t get that feeling that every romance fan chases from them, or any other couple in the movie.

Overall, I have a deep love for both “Clueless” and “Mean Girls.” 

I’ve definitely watched each movie at least three times by now, and they’re funny and comforting every time. 

At the end of the day, if I was stuck on a deserted island and could only choose one to bring with me, I’d definitely choose “Clueless” just so I could look at Paul Rudd’s ‘90s baby face LOL.