5 Hilary Duff Outfits That Lizzie McGuire Definitely Would Have Worn

When Hillary Duff starred as the central character in Disney Channel's original series "Lizzie McGuire," she was both relatable and aspirational. She was just a normal — but exceptionally well-dressed — girl trying to navigate middle school. The show premiered in 2001 and was peak Y2K. Like many Disney Channel shows of the era, its wardrobe was over the top, with the middle school protagonists serving head-to-toe looks at every turn. Though just a tween, Duff's onscreen counterpart dressed with an eclectic aplomb that would make even Carrie Bradshaw jealous. She was the queen of Y2K maximalism, from her sequins to her creative hair accessories. She always appreciated a good pattern, as well as a platform shoe and an ever-timeless baby tee.

But if seeing middle school kids dressed to the nines for school seems weird to adults watching the show back now, it was just regular inspiration for Millennials who grew up on Lizzie's fashion choices. Elizabeth Belsky is the fashion historian behind the Instagram account @EveryOutfitOnLizzieMcGuire, which features classic fashion moments from the show. "It's just fun to make jokes and celebrate how completely over-the-top these kids were dressed, because for every iconic unicorn sweater or fake nose ring, there's also a scene where it looks like Limited Too just threw up all over Lizzie," she told Teen Vogue in 2019.

But no one, it seems, has been more influenced by Lizzie than the actor herself, whose real life fashion choices appear to have taken their cues from her character's sartorial courageous choices, even as Duff's personal style has transformed over the years. Below, here are some of Duff's looks that she could have shopped right out of Lizzie's fictional closet.

Our girl Lizzie McGuire loved a head-to-toe look, and here Hillary Duff serves exactly that. This whimsical, Y2K twist on a Canadian tuxedo, that Duff wore for to the 2002 premiere of "Crossroads", features low-rise pants and metallic teal accents. But the most important detail is Duff's Tiffany & Co. charm necklace. The character Lizzie loved to experiment with different styles but the charm necklace — a gift from her mother according to "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" canon — was a signature accessory no matter how crazy her looks got.

The purple-forward look that Hillary Duff rocked for the E! Online Sizzlin' 16 Party would have been well-suited Lizzie McGuire, who loved a girly color moment, as well as mixed textures. Yes, the look is a lot but so was Lizzie herself, who never shied away from glittery embellishments and copious accessories. The stylish tween would have stunned in this fur-trimmed coat. And don't overlook the frosted purple eyeshadow completing the monochrome commitment; it would have suited the character's beauty choices, which often included Y2K trends like pastel colors and shiny gloss.

It's easy to imagine Lizzie McGuire donning this early aughts look to hit the red carpet, just as Hillary Duff did for the 30th Annual American Music Awards in 2003. Our favorite fictional girly girl would have loved the slightly-sheer powder pink top, with its ruffled hem and ribbon detailing — feminine with a modern asymmetrical twist. Of course, nothing is more Y2K than the decision to layer it with a pair of dark gray trousers, a fashion forward choice that would have earned the Lizzie stamp of approval.

Lizzie McGuire would have been all over these business casual, pin-striped trousers as red carpet look. Hillary Duff wore them for the 2003 MTV Movie Video Awards. Never one to step out of the house unaccessorized, you can bet that Lizzie would have appreciated the glittering cuff bracelets and blush pink baguette bag. The inventive flower-detailed chatelaine is perfect for a girl who isn't afraid to take a few risks in the name of making the "Best Dressed" list. Plus, the perky color palette is the entire 2000s era unto itself.

The hyper-feminine, Victorian-influenced look that Hillary Duff wore for the 2005 Nickelodeon's 18th Annual Kid's Choice Awards would have been a hit with Lizzie McGuire, who always gravitated toward maximalist accessories and feminine detailing. Lizzie was never shy about committing to an aesthetic, and would have been all in on the rhinestone choker and puffy sleeves.

But it's hardly surprising that the actress took fashion cues from her beloved character, since Duff has admitted she still feels very close to Lizzie. "I think I was just playing myself. And I really related to that girl. She was me, and I was her, and that was that," she told Bustle.