Trigger Warning: This article mentions themes of body image and size exclusivity in fashion
For better or for worse, “Y2K” and early 2000s fashion is back, and unfortunately, to a certain extent, so are some aspects of the culture around thinness. But Y2K fashion can be very fun with its bright colors, funky prints, unique silhouettes, and inspiration taken from the 1960s and 1970s, and should be able to be enjoyed by everyone.
I have been passionate about fashion since middle school, and I was plus size for most of high school. While I am no longer plus size, I am still a curvy woman and have worn and continue to wear Y2K styles at any size and shape I have been.
Look out for certain brands, and avoid others
In my thrifting experience, certain brands of low and mid rise jeans are more comfortable and supportive to larger hips and stomachs. I personally found that AppleBottom jeans and BabyPhat jeans are stretchier, comfier, much more true to size, and less expensive than TrueReligion jeans, another popular jean company from the early 2000s. BabyPhat specifically has more extended sizes with their modern jeans going up to a size 24W. Gloria Vanderbilt is another brand popular in the 2000s that is easy to find in thrift stores and goes up to a 3X/26W. When thrifting I also look out for brands such as FashionBug and Candies and avoid brands like Mudd, which only have smaller sizes. When thrifting proves to be a bust, modern Abercrombie & Fitch, which was very popular in the 2000s and has recently made a comeback, has a curve line and plus sizes in their jeans and clothing.
participate in some trends, and forgo others
There are some aspects of Y2K fashion that are inherently exclusive because of the diet culture of the time. As a result, there are some trends I don’t participate in. I typically avoid wearing babydoll tops, a type of shirt or dress with a gathered bust, because I can rarely find one that properly fits my chest. Continuing, while I had no problem finding halter tops in my size, I found them to be very uncomfortable because of my proportions. In high school especially, I would opt for a mid rise jean over a low rise jean. If you are uncomfortable with wearing low rise bottoms but would still like to participate in the trend, opt to wear a longer shirt for a practical, comfortable, and historically accurate look. If you are unable to find low rise bottoms in your size, perhaps try a high rise flare jean or focus on finding bright colors and funky patterns emulating the textiles of the era. Additionally, you can always put your attention on Y2K makeup, hairstyles, outerwear, and accessories, such as belts that are colorful or made of chain.
inclusive trends
One clothing item that I have had no trouble finding in any size is the slip top or slip dress. Satiny, sexy, and super cute, I see women of every size and shape being able to rock the iconic staple. I often find them in the lingerie section of thrift stores or in modern retail stores. While low and mid rise bottoms are not very inclusive, it is much easier to find high rise bootcut and flare jeans. Layering tank tops and t-shirts is another trend that is not exclusive to thin people, and neither are wearing popular patterns of the time such as hibiscus and other summer floral prints, polka dots, and plaids. While in high school, I picked up on the hobby of sewing, and I was able to alter my thrift finds to fit me better and even create my own clothes perfectly tailored to my body and liking.
Overall, Y2K fashion can be difficult to participate in when the style was not made with your body type in mind, but it is possible. It is important to remember that you can wear whatever you want. No matter what size or shape you are, you still deserve to feel good in your clothes.
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