27 Trends That Everyone Tried in the Early 2000s

In the early 2000s, life was much simpler. We ate pre-packed Lunchables and rolled to class in our Heelys (if your school hadn’t already banned them). Despite the interesting fashion choices and odd trends, we can’t help but to feel nostalgic every now and then. Whether you were in elementary, middle or high school, chances are that you were rocking the following 27 trends back in the day.

1. Dramatic side bangs

Side bangs were rampant in the 2000s. There were many variations including the subtle celebrity style and the scene girl look, but either way this trend preceded the bang trend of present day.

2. Side ponytails

Similar to our bangs, we also enjoyed tilting our ponytails to the side. Up high, down low, it didn’t matter.

3. Hair accessories

Butterfly clips, headbands and scrunchies made our hairstyles that much more fun.

4. Sun In

Highlights and bleached hair was coveted in the 2000s, and this product would give you the desired look (or turn your hair green).

5. Link charm bracelets

The most painful, yet popular piece of jewelry ever invented.

6. Silly Bandz

Even if you were in high school when Silly Bandz became popular, don’t pretend you weren’t guilty of trading your blue dolphin for a tie-dye dragon.

7. “I love boobies” bracelets

These bracelets were not only trendy, but also supported a great cause.

8. Slap bracelets

Slap bracelets weren’t as fun to were as they were to hit your friends with.

9. Baby G watches

The more durable and colorful cousin of the G Shock watch was the Baby G watch. If you didn’t own one, you wanted one.

10. Lip Smacker

Before there were Kylie Jenner Lip Kits, there were Lip Smackers. Bonus points to you if you had Skittles or soda flavors.

11. Soffe shorts

You probably rolled ‘em up and owned them in every color.

12. Denim skirts

Denim skirts made their way to red carpets and your closet. You were especially trendy if it was a skort.

13. Gaucho pants

Comfort meets “style” … or at least what we perceived to be style back then.

14. Shrugs

Shrug sweaters were a wardrobe essential even though it may look like you accidentally shrunk your favorite cardigan in the wash.

15. Polo shirts

If you didn’t own an Abercrombie & Fitch polo, did you even live through the early 2000s?

16. Platform sneakers/flip flops

Whose idea was it to put a heel on comfortable footwear? Thankfully this trend has died down.

17. Converse

High top, low top.

18. Floaties

The. Most. Comfortable. Shoes. Ever.

19. Juicy Couture

Velour tracksuits were all the rage (see Mean Girls for reference)

20. Limited Too

Before it was Justice, we knew and loved the wonderland that was Limited Too.

21. Lisa Frank

Walking into the first day of school with colorful unicorns all over your school supplies.

22. Paul Frank

This adorable monkey could be seen on every teen and preteens pajama pants.

23. Smencils

Not to be confused with scented markers, these scented pencils were always in your pencil case.

24. Bratz dolls

The modern Barbie, Bratz dolls rocked full lips before Kylie made them popular.

25. Polly Pocket

These fun size dolls were great for playing on the go as long as you didn’t lose all the teeny tiny pieces.

26. Club Penguin

This game took the internet by storm and we would be lying if we said we weren’t devastated that the virtual world is shutting down next month.

27. Fruit Roll Ups Tongue Tattoos

These delicious treats made traditional temporary tats look like child’s play.

We hope that this list made you miss your childhood. Perhaps it’s time to take your Bratz dolls down from the attic and log on to Club Penguin one last time. No judgment here!

• 2000s
• Drexel
• elementary school
• high school
• middle school
• trends