Happy March 5th to the absolute queen of early 2000s cool: Eva Mendes!
While she has given us so many iconic moments, if you are a true 2000s rom-com lover, there is one movie that instantly comes to mind today: Hitch (2005).
Playing the brilliant and guarded gossip columnist Sara Melas opposite Will Smith’s smooth “date doctor,” Eva didn’t just give us a great performance; she delivered a masterclass in the 2000s NYC “It Girl” aesthetic. Today, we are celebrating her birthday by looking back at why this movie remains an
absolute feel-good classic.
The Ultimate “Office Siren” Wardrobe
Before TikTok invented the “office siren” trend, Sara Melas was living it. Her wardrobe in Hitch is a Pinterest board waiting to happen.
She perfectly balanced the “I mean business” energy with effortless 2000s glamour. Think tailored trench coats, chic pencil skirts, perfectly blown-out hair, and those signature oversized sunglasses. She looked like a woman who could conquer Manhattan before her morning coffee. It was the ultimate inspiration for any girl dreaming of a big-city career.
A Refreshingly Smart Romance
What makes Hitch the perfect comfort movie is that it avoids the exhausting, heavy drama of other films. Sara wasn’t a damsel in distress waiting to be saved; she was a successful, independent woman who just happened to meet her match.
The chemistry between Eva Mendes and Will Smith was electric, funny, and completely natural. Their banter was quick, their dates (jet skiing on the Hudson River, anyone?) were legendary, and it all felt so genuinely fun. It’s the kind of pure, unproblematic romance that you can watch on a Sunday afternoon to instantly boost your mood.
Happy Birthday to a 2000s Icon
Hitch is a love letter to New York City and to the smart, stylish women who run it. Eva Mendes brought so much charm and intelligence to the role, making Sara Melas a character we still want to be friends with today.
Happy Birthday, Eva! Thank you for the endless fashion inspiration and for giving us one of the best rom-coms of the decade.
Tell us in the comments: What is your favorite scene from Hitch? And more importantly, would you wear Sara’s 2005 wardrobe today?