Today, we’re journeying back to the early 2000s to revisit some Y2K trends that are resurfacing and others we hope have disappeared for good. Born in 1989, the 2000s marked my high school and college years, a time when my love for fashion truly ignited. I devoured fashion magazines, worked at a mall, and invested every dime in updating my wardrobe. But enough about me—let’s explore some of the most iconic 2000s fashion trends.
Low Rise Jeans
The most obvious and iconic style of the decade. I recall our high school dress code was adamant about enforcing the “no midriff” rule, probably because every girl in school was wearing low rise jeans! Low rise jeans are making a comeback in 2024, thankfully the styles I have seen on the market are not quite as low as they were in the mid-2000s.
Mini Skirts
Denim and ruffled cotton skirts are hallmark styles from the 2000s. But they had to be SHORT. Micro skirts were made popular by starlets such as Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and Nicole Richie. This is another comeback trend we are seeing more in 2024, get ready for it!
Lace Trim Camis
During the 2000s, it seemed to be the only way to finish an outfit was to wear a lace-trimmed camisole as the base layer. It took me several years to break the habit of wearing tank tops beneath every outfit.
Monogram Handbags
POV: It’s 2007 and you go to a purse party during the to buy an overpriced knock off coach purse. We all remember these bags, the purses with an all over logo.
Y2k Shield Sunglasses
Who didn’t want to cover 1/4 of their face with what essentially was a ski shield. So funny and I hope this does not make a comeback in women’s fashion, though there I have spotted quite a few men’s sunnies like this recently.
Ballet Flats
Timeless and chic, this footwear style peaked in the 2000s for daytime attire. Y2k flats contain embellishment such as bow, patterns, or chunky crystals. The Mary Jane style flat is trending this year and honestly, I hope they never go out of style.
Going Out Tops
Your bestie calls and asks what you’re wearing to the mall before the party on Friday night. Your response? A going out top, because you don’t wear going out tops to school, they’re for trips to the mall and things like that. Stores like Charlotte Russe and Wet Seal were the places to shop going out tops.
Pencil Skirts for Going Out
Business casual in the club was the second best outfit option next to going out tops. But not just a plain black skirt, no, the y2k pencil skirts were full of character. Tribal prints, bright color, animal print, faux lace, and so many other options. This is one of those trends we look at and wonder how it became so popular.
Logo Polos
Hollister and Abercrombie are the most iconic polo shirts of 2000s fashion trends. These stores would have an entire wall dedicated to polo shirts in an array of bold colors. This was the base to the ultra popular preppy look of the decade and was the essential top to wear with low rise jeans.
Tracksuit Sets
Velour pants paired with a matching zip up hoodie. A grab and go outfit of the 2000s. The pants are of course low rise and a lace trim cami is a must have under the zip up.
Yoga Pants
This is when Victoria’s Secret PINK entered the chat. The rolled over waistband with PINK spelled across the backside in rhinestones. In today’s fashion market they are called flared leggings, but don’t be fooled flare leggings are really OG yoga pants.
Hoop Earrings
A must have accessory and the bigger, the better. Rhinestone rimmed or solid silver was the way to go for trendy hoop earrings of the 2000s.
Hair Clips
Plastic butterfly clips are a nostalgic 2000s trend used in various hairstyles. Whether spread throughout the hair or as a finishing piece to braided rows. This is another trend making a comeback, mostly because it was a way to polish off several of The Eras Tour outfits during 2023.
Camo Cargos
Cargos and carpenter style jeans are another iconic denim trend from this era. Of course, the hottest styles were ultra low rise. These could easily be worn with polo shirts or graphic tees. I distinctly remember going shopping for legit men’s camo cargos with my sister in high school so that we would have a pair to wear to football games and spirit day. You know, that’s what all the cool girls were wearing.
Trucker Hats
Who remembers the Von Dutch hats? Overpriced and colorful trucker style hats. To avoid wasting my money on one hat, I decided a Roxy trucker hat from Pac Sun was an affordable alternative I should invest in back in the day. 20 years later, here we are, and the 2000s fashion trends trucker hats are back!!
Boots with the Fur
Flo Rida and T-Pain’s 2007 hip hop song paid tribute to this memorable trend. This was more than sherpa lined Ugg boots we know and love today. “Boots with the fur” came in all sorts of colors and styles. From leather heels trimmed with plush faux fur, to boots literally covered in faux fur, there were endless furry boots styles.
Crystal Accessories
The crystal initial necklaces from Claire’s. This was the hottest “it girl” trend for high schoolers in the early 2000s. During this timeframe, Hollywood fashionistas could be spotted wearing crystal covered tanks or glitzy rhinestone handbags.
Distressed “holy” Jeans
This was another dress code item I distinctly remember. Holy jeans were a big no in school, oh but come the weekend you wore those jeans as much as possible! The kicker was that these jeans cost significantly more than a standard pair of polished denim. Parents everywhere were shaking there heads saying “I would wear my jeans until they had holes like this!”
Studded Belts
You can thank Avril Lavigne for this 2000s trend, made popular when she rose to fame during this fashion era. If you went through the infamous punk girl phase, you likely owned a studded belt. You know, the ones with double holes all the way around. Grab your roxy purse and Hurley court sneakers and you were STYLING!
Tube Tops
Cute and simple, tube tops were everywhere! Wear them alone or with a little white t-shirt underneath. One of the most iconic 2000s fashion trends that is also set to make a comeback in 2024 and beyond.
These Y2K Trends Are Back
Compiling this list of 2000s fashion trends was highly enjoyable and nostalgic. It’s fascinating to observe the resurgence of these styles! Camouflage pants, tube tops, trucker hats, hoop earrings, mini skirts, low-rise jeans, and ballet flats are all on trend in 2024 and seem set to stay fashionable for some time.
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