Decoding Y2K Fashion: Here's What Actually Looks Good 20 Years Later (2024)

I'm old enough to remember Y2K fashion the first time around. I can still vividly recallthe cowl-neck black top I wore with my knee-length stonewash denim skirtanda choker for New Year's Eve 1999. I loved that outfit at the time, and 14-year-old me was very happy about it, but I know there isn't muchfrom it I'd wear today. However, thanks to TikTok and the fact that the 2000s were 20 years ago, there is a current revival going on of everything related to Y2K fashion. According to aStylight report, these turn-of-the-millennium trends are booming thanks to Gen Z discovering and showcasing them on TikTok. While I'm not keen to re-create muchfrom mywardrobe from that era, there are plenty of other trends that still look good today.

I delved into the archivesand dug up some of the best celeb outfits from that time to showcase just what I mean.While it might seem very particular, I'm looking at outfits from around the 1999/2000 mark, as this is thebest way to find the most Y2K looks. I discovered that thereare actually plenty of trends to wear today. I also found it interesting that fashion around the turn of the millennium wasn't very extravagant. Pre–Lady Gaga (she released her first single in 2008), everything seems pretty low-key in regard to red carpet looks. This was also the time when Dawson's Creek was big andThe O.C. was far from hitting our screens. Late-'90s fashion still had its influence, but there was a newer, more polished look coming in, too. Keep scrolling to see the Y2K trends that still look good today.

1. Crochet

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes:A surprising trend, crochet spans decades and still looks good with whatever you wear with it. This is the classic Y2K pairing of jeans and a nice top, with the statement bag adding a little extra.

Shop the trend:

FRAME

Crocheted Cotton Vest

This crochet vest from FRAME has understated Y2K luxury at its core.

2. Lace-Up

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes:Strings are back, including theG-string (but not as you know it). Here, Lucy Liu is wearing what looks like a lace-up jumpsuit. Today, it's all about flashing a hint of this — think Jacquemus's SS23 collection.

Shop the trend:

Weekday

Cassidy Lace Up Trouser

A very cost-efficient way of tapping into the trend.

3. Nice Tops

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes:There are few celebrities who avoided this look during Y2K. The nice-jeans-and-a-top outfit was a go-to for even red carpet events, as proven here by Liv Tyler.

Shop the trend:

Free People

Greta Lace Shirt

From the sheer design to the flared satin cuffs, this top feels red carpet-ready.

4. Body Chains

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Shop the trend:

Free People

The New Classic Belly Chain

I think these will be everywhere again this summer...

5. Feathers

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes:While head-to-toe extravagance wasn't necessarily embraced, details were. Rhinestones, gems and feathers were always present on the A-list at this time. We're still seeing feather trims going strong today.

Shop the trend:

16ARLINGTON

Hoku Cropped Feather-Trimmed Crepe Top

Wear witha denim midi skirt and strappy heels for optimum Y2K appeal.

6. Basics

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Style Notes:With the more pared-back styling of the '90s hanging over our heads around Y2K, minimalist looks were often embraced for the red carpet. Case in point: Katie Holmes wearing a white T-shirt with a pencil skirt and strappy sandals.

Shop the trend:

Arket

Crew-Neck T-Shirt

Our editors love this classic tee.

7. Baguette Bags

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes:It'll come as no surprise thatSarah Jessica Parkerwas the one trying to push the fashion boundaries around this time, and it was often hard to know where Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe ended and hers started. This brightly coloured bagdemonstrates exactly what I'm talking about.

Shop the trend:

Staud

Tommy Bead-Embellished Shoulder Bag

Staud’s beaded-bag offering just keeps getting better.

8. Loose Tailoring

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes:The king and queen of casual-but-chic outfits were Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. These loosely tailored trousers on Jen An were the epitome of Y2K styling.

Shop the trend:

COS

Wide-Leg Tailored Twill Trousers

These tailored trousers are wise style investment.

9. Chokers

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes:Find me someone who says they didn't own a tattoo choker, and you will have found yourself a liar. Nearly everyone owned some kind of choker at this time, and thanks to brands likeMango, they're back.

Shop the trend:

Mango

Rigid Choker Necklace

An easy way to elevate your daily outfits.

10. Snakeskin

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes:WhileChristina Aguileramight have some questionable outfits from the past (let's avoid all the chaps talk), these snakeskin trousers are absolutely something I would wear today.

Shop the trend:

Topshop

Topshop Faux Leather Snake Print Straight Leg Trousers

You needn’t opt for bright colours—neutral snake print will also nail the aesthetic.

11. Pinstripe

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes:The corporate world really bled into late-'90s styling, with pinstripe being a fixture for plenty of A-listers.

Shop the trend:

GANNI

Stretch Striped Belt Blazer

I’m picturing wearing this with blue straight-leg jeans and mules.

12. Flatform Sandals

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes:There are so many flatform sandals around right now,particularly as we head into the warmer months. We can't help but feel nostalgic when we spot this trend out and about.

Shop the trend:

M&S

Flatform Toe Thong Sandals

Flip-flop flatforms? Shoes don’t get much more Y2K than that.

13. Rose-Coloured Sunnies

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes:After some new sunnies? Well, good news: Y2K has your back. Rose-tinted glasses, as seen on Naomi Campbell, are sure to make a comeback. Try finding some rimless ones for the realnoughties effect.

Shop the trend:

Ray-Ban

Ray-Ban Hexgonal Sunglasses

The thin gold frames make these throwback shades feel so premium.

This piece was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Decoding Y2K Fashion: Here's What Actually Looks Good 20 Years Later (2024)

FAQs

How long will Y2K fashion last? ›

Y2K won't die, in my opinion. It will eventually hop off the trend cycle and likely jump back on at some point, and some people will continue to dress like so in the same way there's folks who are obsessed with dressing like they're in the '70s or '90s. It's simply become another tool in the sartorial box.

What Gen Z thinks Y2K fashion is? ›

Short answer: nostalgia fashion. It makes people feel safe, confident and reminds them of the style icons they grew up watching. DIY aesthetics and comfort are also a big factor here.

Why is Y2K fashion popular again? ›

It's no wonder that the styles of the era are resurfacing. People are seeking an idealized version of the past, fueled by a love of fashion and noughties pop culture. The Y2K fashion trend has seen a massive explosion among gen Z, while also being a nostalgic trend for millennials who witnessed it firsthand last time.

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Is Y2K still trending in 2024? ›

The resurgence of Y2K fashion in 2024 is driven by a mix of nostalgia, sustainability, and the influence of social media. People are drawn to the unique blend of futuristic optimism and the iconic styles of the early 2000s.

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Is Y2K coming back in 2024? ›

Conclusion: Get ready for Fall/Winter 2024 – it's bringing back the cool vibes of Y2K with a modern twist. We're talking skirts over pants, classic black and white outfits, and even micro-short shorts making a bold comeback.

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Is Y2K considered vintage? ›

If, like me, you can remember when the years 1999, 2000 and 2001 were considered The Distant Future, you may be amused to learn that clothes from that era are now considered “vintage.”

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What is another name for Y2K fashion? ›

Y2K fashion, also known as "millennial" or "Z-generation" fashion, has become an increasingly popular trend in recent years. The characteristic of this trend is a nostalgic and retro aesthetic, reminiscent of the early 2000s, when the internet was relatively new and smartphones were just beginning to become mainstream.

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Is Y2K fashion still trending? ›

Fashion trends inspired by the early Aughts have repeatedly returned in recent years, proving that the 2000s just can't be shaken. As Millennials and Gen Z satisfy their craving for nostalgia, styles not seen for decades have bubbled up on social media and, in many cases, the catwalk.

Why is Gen Z so obsessed with Y2K? ›

The phenomenon is explained by the 20-year cycle. As defined by A Magazine, trends that were popular 20 years ago tend to come back with a modern edge added. This is seen with the 2000s taking heavy influence from the 80s, the 80s being into the 60s, and so forth.

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Why is Gen Z so obsessed with the 90s? ›

Simpler times

To them, the 90s was a simple time before smartphones, social media, and 24–7 connectivity. It's far enough away now to be nostalgic, but still close enough to be grasped. Plus, the 90s were the last good decade for art — movies and music have steadily gone downhill since the 90s.

What is 2000s fashion in 2023? ›

This year, it became clear: more Y2K fashion. Trends throughout 2023 have involved a plethora of born-again, solidified, 2000s-era staples, like ballet flats, low-rise jeans, ribbed tanks as statement pieces, unbuttoned pants, chunky belts resting on hips, and peekaboo bras.

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Why is Gen Z obsessed with aesthetics? ›

We've referenced Gen Z's reputation as digital natives, but thanks to their love affair with plastic surgery, some media outlets also refer to them as aesthetics natives. Heavily influenced by their constant screen time, Gen Z craves the same procedures as their favorite content creators.

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Who brought back the Y2K trend? ›

And before we knew it, Gen-Z tastemakers like Bella Hadid spearheaded the return of flatform sandals, crochet accessories, rhinestone and frameless micro glasses for a generation that is experiencing this trend for the first time.

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What time period is Y2K fashion? ›

Imagine bold colors clashing with metallic fabrics, logos so big you could see them from a mile away… that's Y2K for you! Originating from the late 90s and early 2000s, this style was all about optimism, embracing technology, and standing out. Today, the Y2K look is making a major comeback.

How long do fashion trends last? ›

It is considered that normally fashion trends re-emerge nearly every twenty years.

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What years are Y2K clothing? ›

Y2K fashion brings back the biggest trends of the late 1990s and early 2000s. It blends millennial pop culture with bright colors and tacky aesthetics, creating an apologetic minimalist appearance.

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