What is it?
Y2K (or “year two thousand”) fashion first originated in 1997, just prior to the millennium, and thrived throughout the late nineties and the early 2000s (Finelli). Today, it’s thriving once again as the bright, blingy, maximalist trend has seduced mainly Gen-Z fashion-enthusiasts with its carefree and enjoyably-haphazard nature.
Origins
The trend’s first iteration was characterized by maximalism, loads of accessories, metallics, and the ever-so-controversial low-rise jeans (Finelli). Bold colors, layered tee shirts, and midi skirts were also characteristic of this fashion era, and popular brands included Diesel, Juicy Couture, and Ed Hardy (Finelli). “Like any period in history, the early 2000s bore witness to a slew of style moments, from the stacked jelly bracelets and pattern clashing of Disney stars to the bedazzled bandanas and baby tees of R&B girl groups” (Black). Icons who shaped the developing Y2K trend’s first iteration were celebrities such as Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, Avril Lavigne, and Sex And The City’s star Sarah Jessica Parker (Finelli). There was variation in y2k as well, including niches such as grunge or pop Y2K fashion (Finelli).
Its Renaissance
It’s no secret that the Y2K fashion trend has had a revival, but like any other second-iteration of anything, it features nuances that distinguish it from its precursor (Black). According to Vogue Magazine, “The early aughts fervor was first ignited by Gen Z last year, when they began rocking bootcut jeans and silk scarves as tops on TikTok.” Joanna Pope, within Highsnobiety Spring 2022 print issue, describes that nowadays the label Y2K is a buzzword to increase sales, and consequently it’s often used to define styles that weren’t authentic to the original Y2K trend period (Black). As a further result, the label of Y2K has adopted a new meaning that’s constituted by not only styles from the original Y2K period, but by those of the earlier 90’s and 2010s (Black).
Why it’s back
According to Harper’s Bazaar Magazine, “At the heart of the Y2K fashion revival is the lightheartedness of a more innocent time—and probably also Euphoria’s reign. That means short minidresses sometimes paired with chunky boots and crystal-embellished everything” (Caruso). The carefree ease that comes with dressing unabashedly in bright, bold styles is a part of why the trend is even having a revival (Caruso). Secondly, according to forecaster Samantha Hine, the Y2K trend is a defiant reaction to current escalating demands to be flawless and picturesque. “The over-the-top, glitzy, and sleazy aesthetic of the early 2000s acts as a subversive counterpoint to the demand for flawless skin, a designer wardrobe, and a carefully curated online presence” (Black). Also notably, following the pandemic lockdowns ending, people were excited to party more and resultantly wanted fresh going-out outfits. Y2K had started trending on social media, so these outfits leaned towards this millennium style (Black): “What began with hair accessories like butterfly clips and the comeback of straight-leg jeans has expanded to all-denim garments, cargo and flare pants and everything shiny, among other looks” (Hadero).
What’s next?
Expert Samantha Hine believes that the new Y2K fashion will linger due to people rejecting perfection. Instead, through the Y2K trend, participants embrace the bold, the bright, the maximal, and the messy (Black).
Sources:
Allaire, Christian. “Like It or Not, Gaudy Y2K Style Is Roaring Back.” Vogue, Vogue, 26 July 2021, www.vogue.com/article/y2k-style-celebrity-runway-trend.
Black, Cierra. “What Is Y2K Fashion, Anyway? Depends on Who You Ask.” Highsnobiety, 20 Jan. 2023, www.highsnobiety.com/p/y2k-fashion-definition-meaning-2023/.
Caruso, Lauren. “Y2K Fashion Aesthetic – How to Wear Y2K Fashion Trends 2023.” Harper’s Bazaar, Hearst Magazine Media, 6 Sep. 2022, www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g41042747/y2k-fashion/.
Finelli, Gabriella. “What Is Y2K Fashion and How to Wear Y2K Clothing?” Glass Onion, Glass Onion, 13 Oct. 2023, glass-onion.com/blogs/news/what-is-y2k-fashion-and-how-to-wear-y2k-clothing.
Hadero, Haleluya, and Anne D’Innocenzio. “Y2K Fashion Has Taken over. and Gen Z Is Loving It.” AP News, AP News, 15 Aug. 2023, apnews.com/article/fashion-retail-trend-gen-z-millennial-9d5cdf091384841999f28be8a243f889#.