Every single decade has a set of certain style trends that are affiliated with it. The poodle skirts and hour glass accentuating a line dresses of the rocking 50’s, groovy tie-dye and funky flare from the 70s, and of course the grunge rock aesthetic from the 90’s. Every decade has a style and that style reflects the trends of that time.
The new millennium came to life just a little over 25 years ago. For some of us that feels really recent and for others it feels like something that happened a long time ago. However it does feel weird to look back and see exactly what was trending during that time. Seeing Y2K fashion is like looking at a fashion catalog from the future in some aspects while also looking at something that possesses a certain retro charm. From the trendy sneakers, to the crop tops made of shiny fabric layered with oversized jackets and low rise jeans. Let’s take a moment to learn exactly what Y2K fashion is, why the trends are coming back into style, and how you can style yourself based on its triumphant return.
What is Y2K Fashion
Y2K fashion is a type of vintage based fashion, that is based on the fashion trends that were popular from the year 2000 through the year 2009. During this decade a lot of fashion ideas were very experimental. Today a lot of Y2K based fashion trends don’t focus on particular pieces, but instead on certain vibes. Although most people are much more well put together than the chaotic layering of Y2K fashion, stylish aesthetic actually hasn’t changed a lot since then. Therefore, many people can sport the Y2K fashion with only some minor tweaks of their wardrobe.
But what makes Y2K, Y2K? Although the era held a lot of variety throughout the years there are definitely a few factors that stand out from the era.
- Fabrics consisting a shiny metallics
- Highly saturated and vibrant colors that may remind you of plastic capsules or easter eggs
- An emphasis on futuristic elements that give off almost a sci-fi look
Unlike the influencers online starting and holding fashion trends, most of these trends came from public obsession with popstars, and celebrities. There was also a need to fit in rather than stand out, as many would choose to get their hair styled and dyed to make themselves look exactly like their favorite celebrities. Growing up in the 2000’s it wasn’t uncommon to see large groups of people with frosted tips, walking around as was the fashion of the time.
This era also lead to a rise in a lot of fashion subculture trends, such as goth, scene, punk, and lolita styles. All of which might have gained inspiration from the grunge rock aesthetic of the 90’s, as well as inspiration from the start of the rising popularity of anime and other forms of Japanese media. Although, despite their place and influence in the era, as well as their influence on fashion trends today, these sub cultures of fashions don’t really speak for this era.
Understanding and Wearing Y2K Fashion
If you were to go out wearing a Y2K style outfit with little regard to how it looked you might stick out in the worst possible way. There are definitely rules to dressing up in certain styles of the decade. After all, there is a fine line between being fashionable and being a Halloween costume.
Start with subtle changes. Take outfits you already wear and change one thing about them. Perhaps layer a long sleeve shirt underneath that t-shirt, or switch those loose fitting jeans with a pair of tight skinny jeans? You could also replace your purse with something that’s a little more juicy couture. There are many ways for you to subtly change or add modern wardrobes. Which means you can captivate fashion enthusiasts by putting a modern twist on the fashion scene of the early 2000s
Understanding Y2K Fashion Subcultures
The early 2000s was a great time for experimental fashion trends and subcultures to come to fruition. Many fashion enthusiasts today believe that these subcultures helped to shape many of the most iconic trends that we see today. We could write entire articles about this subcultures, why they came to fruition, what kind of fashions fall under their categorization, and so much more. Here is a short explanation of each of these subcultures as well as a couple of examples of those fashion trends to show how they influenced fashion today.
Goth
Goth fashion of the early 2000s was characterized with the use of dark clothing with dramatic flare, and dark colored makeup. This fashion style had been around for a while at this point, having been in existence since the late 1970’s. However goth fashion became more mainstream during the early 2000s as stores in malls that specialized in that genre of fashion such as Hot Topic and Spencer’s grew in popularity during that time. Today this fashion inspires the use of dramatic silhouettes as well as the use of monochromatic color swatches.
Scene
This Y2K fashion trend was characterized by tightly fitted jeans, bright neons, graphic tees featuring cartoon and Japanese anime characters, heavily styled straightened hair, clothing that utilized lots of layers, as well as lots of accessories such as clips, bows, headbands, tiaras, and studded belts. Like most fashion trends of the Y2K subcultures this style was highly androgynous, and was worn by both male and female aligning people. Today modern fashion takes inspiration from this fashion subculture with elements such as the use of bold colors, as well as bold accessories .
Punk
Punk is considered to be an amalgamation of multiple different fashion styles that is characterized by a visual feeling of rebellion, attitude, and a need to challenge the norms of society. Punk fashion of the time was showcased with the use of band hoodies and graphic tees, Converse brand or style shoes, spiked hair during the early years that was slowly replaced with sleeker styles, wristbands, patrol caps, among many more pieces. Today Punk fashion inspires modern day trends by implementing a spirit of individuality.
Lolita
Lolita fashion first originated in Japan sometime in the 1990’s, and came to fruition as a way for young women to fight back against the pressures of society and gender roles that were placed on them by giving them a way to reclaim their femininity in a way that wasn’t made for the male gaze. This style of fashion was inspired by the clothing one would wear during their childhood as well as hints of Victorian elegance. Lolita fashion involves a lot of coordination in terms of color, fabric choice, and patterns. In fact an outfit based on this fashion is often called a coord. This fashion was often showcased with the use of dramatic a-line or bell shaped skirts, large ribbons, berets, hair accessories such as bows, petticoats, and more. Today Lolita fashion inspires modern fashion with elements such as exaggerated lace, high collars, ruffles, blouses, jumper skirts, and a focus on achieving a feminine silhouette.
There are many more forms of Y2K fashion subculture, and these are just a few examples of all of them. However through these examples fashion enthusiasts can easily see how these subcultures of fashion from the early 2000s helped to shape trends today.
What Was “All the Rage” in Y2K?
Y2K fashion is characterized by many different trends in fashion. Some of them lost to a bygone era, and others gaining a significant resurgence in bold eye catching ways. Gen Z is helping many of these old trends make a strong come back by designing Y2K outfits inspired by the must have pieces of fashion from that time. It’s not just a unique blend of nostalgic prints and cargo pants that are helping these trends come back in full swing. But instead an understanding of what was popular and why that is making these accessories and Y2K outfits become a must have for people today.
Accessories
A good outfit always needs a great accessory to complete it, and Y2K fashion does not disappoint when it comes to the many accessories associated with the fashion world of this time. Whether they gained popularity through pop culture, or they seemed to just randomly appear here are some of the best accessories from the Y2K fashion scene.
Baguette Bags
Don’t be fooled by the name, because they do not look like a loaf of bread at all. These bags are small compact shoulder bags that were more of an accessory than they were functional. They played a crucial role in tying an outfit together because they were so small. Although baguette bags themselves aren’t making a strong comeback themselves many y2k outfits being designed do utilize small bags or purses as accessories.
Butterfly Clips
These playful accessories were brightly colored plastic butterflies that became some of the most iconic pieces of fashion in the early 2000s. Although they were considered to be made for children their innovative designs, ease of use, and bright noticeable colors made it a great way for children, teens, and adults alike to showcase their self expression through a variety of different styles made to showcase the brightly colored butterflies in their hair.
Tinted Sunglasses
These were considered to be the must have accessory of the early 2000s. Everyone who was anyone owned a pair of tinted sunglasses. These glasses came in a multitude of colors and were made popular by many popular pop culture icons such as Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and the Olsen Twins.
Beaded Chokers
These necklaces were made with multiple tiny beads and often one large accessory bead that was made to be noticed. These necklaces were simple, undistracting, and a great way to subtly improve the look of your fit. When styling y2k outfits take inspiration from simple beaded chokers and choose accessories that keep simplicity in mind.
Make Up Trends
Just like accessories, make up can also help to drastically improve an outfit. Whether you are one to go for more contemporary styles, or one to try and make things more bold, the make up trends of the early 2000s was inspired by many pop culture icons such as Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.
Bold Eyeliner
Bold eyeliner was used as a statement piece when it came to doing ones makeup in the early 2000s, and is considered to be one of the most influential fashion choices in makeup trends today. In the early 2000s, this type of eyeliner was applied in all black all around the eye, for a more playful look and youthful spirit. Today many make up trends of the new generation give a nostalgic nod to this style of makeup through the use of thick cat eyes, boldly colored graphic liner, as well as even more stylized forms of make up usage. If you are piecing together Y2K outfits for yourself try playing with bold makeup looks
Glossy Lips
In order to match the bold colors of velour tracksuits and butterfly clips without adding too much color, glossy became a staple of makeup trends during this time. This made the lips appear more moisturized and noticeable without covering them with lots of color.
Clothing Trends
Whether you’re more likely to wear contemporary outfits with the use of cargo pants, and graphic tees. Or you’re wanting something that makes more of a bold statement such as baby tees from a bygone era paired with a mini skirt covered in bold prints and oversized jackets. You want to let your inner fashionista shine. From velour tracksuits, to chunky sneakers. Let’s take a look at each one and see why they were such a major trend at the time and how you can showcase the enduring appeal of Y2K fashion.
Baggy Cargo Pants
In the early 2000s one of the biggest parts of Y2K fashion was the use and balance of color. They say that the more you blended in the more you stood out. This made baggy cargo pants one of the most popular choices for style of the time.
Velour tracksuits
Before we all went out wearing leggings and sweats most of us owned velour tracksuits which were well known for being plush, comfortable, and easy to move in. Juicy couture was one of the most popular brands of these track suits .
Graphic Tees
New generation or old some y2k fashion choices never seem to go out of style and graphic tees are an excellent example of this. During the 2000’s the whole idea was to fit in to stand out, which left very little room for self expression. However, graphic tees were a great compromise to this. Unlike the tube tops and crop tops of the time graphic tees were made to be noticeable in different ways. They were made to showcase the interests of a person, while also helping them blend in in terms of fashion.
Low Rise Jeans
These jeans were very popular due to the fact that they help to showcase the body, and if there’s one thing we love it’s showing off how good we look. In fact in many examples of Y2K outfits one can see that a lot of the time the bottoms sit low on the hips which brings attention to that area of the body.
Mini Skirt
Mini skirts and midriff displaying tops were a classic combination outfit of the early 2000s. These items were seen as empowering, and were actually a symbol of women’s rights. Today this once daring look is considered to be quite tame, however mini skirts remain popular today. Gen Z may not be pairing them when crop tops much, however when it comes to a more casual or relaxed outfit, pairing them with oversized shirts, graphic tees, and sweaters makes for a great fit with just the right amount of Y2K inspiration.
Chunky Sneakers
Large, thick shoes were very popular during this time due to the feeling of nostalgia they held as well as the bold statement that they made. Today these shoes are some of the most popular, in fact many who wear them don’t realize they are inspired by Y2K fashion. So while the average person wearing them many not be pairing them up with low rise jeans or cargo pants, none of the Y2k outfits are really complete without them.
Baby Tees
When it comes to thinking about y2k outfits it’s hard to not think about baby tees. Like many pieces of Y2K fashion, these shirts were made to showcase the body and make the person wearing it feel as good as they looked. The reason why they were called baby tees was the fact that they were made to look as if they were just slightly too small with shorter than average short sleeves as well as a slight peek at the midriff.
Tube Tops
A piece that truly showcases the cyclical nature of trends in the fashion world. These tops were originally created in the 1970s, dropped from fashion in the 80’s, regained their popularity in the 90’s and 2000’s, and then dropped again in popularity before regaining it recently. These tops were seen as being fun, sexy, and a way to show off ones body. Gen Z often style these tops much like they did in the early 2000s, by creating modern versions of Y2K outfits by pairing these bold tops with low rise jeans.
Crop Tops
Unlike baby tees, crop tops are a bit more flexible than the stiffly fitted baby tees. While baby tees were made to look like they were too small, crop tops were made to be of any fit or style and most of the time they were knowingly made and worn to showcase the midriff in all forms. Your favorite crop top paired with a loose fitting pair of cargo pants is a great example of a modern day y2k outfit you can wear today.
Conclusion
The early 2000’s showcased many different types of fashion trends. From the fashion subcultures that inspired many of the trends we see today, to the renewal of old trends we are seeing cycling back for us to experiment with again. Fashion is a never ending cycle, and while these trends may fade out in a few short years they’ll come back better and stronger than ever.
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