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It’s happening. The day many of us naively thought would never come is actually here. If you are a millennial who experienced the truly iconic Y2K era (“The Millennium,” if you will) then you may feel a shiver of horror when you read what we are about to reveal.
Low-rise jeans are back. shudder.
Yes, that’s right. Low-rise jeans in all their unforgiving, buttcrack-revealing glory have staged a comeback this year, along with many other Y2K fashion items.
As if we haven’t all been through enough in the last year and a half, now we have to be faced with Y2K fashion staples such as belly chains, butterfly clips, and trucker hats.
But it’s not all bad! There are some much-beloved Y2K fashion items we’re seeing hit shelves that are actually quite cute and making us feel all kinds of nostalgic. Let’s examine, shall we?
What is Y2K?
Y2K (shorthand for “the year 2000”) references the new millennium where everyone was convinved that once the new year hit, all hell would break lose. There was actually a computer flaw that could have potentially caused problems when dealing with dates beyond December 31, 1999, according to National Geographic. Banks, powerplants, airlines, transportation, and more were at risk. But thankfully in the end, the problem was rectified and there were very few issues.
So now when people reference Y2K, they are mostly referring to the years 2000-2004. This mini-era was loud, unapologetic, and at times quite frankly absurd. But for millennials, it was absolutely awesome.
It was the age of Paris Hilton and Missy Elliot. ‘NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt. Britney Spears and Destiny’s Child.
We all wanted to be Elle Woods, carrying around teeny-tiny bags holding nothing more than our Motorola Razr and some lip gloss. The first iPod was released, changing how we listened to music forever. And long before Facebook and texting, we lived on Myspace and AIM.
But the real icons of this era? The Y2K fashion. Bedazzled denim. Juicy Couture sweatsuits. Flip flops year-round. And so much pink!
What a time to be alive. But don’t worry, if you missed out on this era (or didn’t fully take advantage of it back then) now is your chance to relive all its glory.
Y2K clothing is making a serious comeback in 2021
Fashion is known to be cyclical, so it shouldn’t really come as a surprise that what was “so fetch” in 2001 became totally lame by 2005 and now — two decades later — suddenly “hits different” with Gen-Z.
Here are just some of the “vintage” Y2K fashion items making a big comeback in 2021.
1. Tube Tops
The bare midriff tube top was a staple of Y2K fashion, despite the fact that anyone with a slightly larger-than-average chest would be hard pressed to keep it staying up! But hey, at least it’s breastfeeding-friendly.
2. Monochrone mini sets
The monochrome look is always chic and never goes out of style (see: Meghan Markle’s latest trip to NYC). But the monochrome mini set was something we haven’t seen in a while. With 1960’s mod fashion influences, the monochrome mini set may not be work or carpool appropriate, but it would definitely make for a great fashion moment when out to dinner with friends.
3. Bootcut and low-rise jeans
As we mentioned earlier, low-rise jeans are back and they’re coming for our … well, our backs. But if that’s not your thing after a year of stretchy pants, the more comfortable (and forgiving) alternative of bootcut jeans are also having a serious moment. (Though to be honest, we’re not letting go of our skinny jeans just yet.)
“I have to say, I’m feeling the bootcut jeans look right now,” Luz C. told Mom.com. “They’re comfortable to wear around the house with my toddler but I can also style them up to look pulled together when I run errands.”
4. Ribbed button-down cardigans
There was a time when nothing made us feel more put-together and grown up than a short, ribbed, brightly colored button-down cardigan. Sigh. Those were the days. Now, we can’t help but think of that scene in Never Been Kissed where Drew Barrymore is riding down the escalator in matching cardigans with the most popular girls in school as Leelee Sobieski looks at her and says “Oh my God, like, there goes another lemming!” (If you haven’t seen that 1999 classic, add it to your queue STAT.)
5. Juicy Couture sweatsuits
The specificity of this trend is almost comical because it’s not just sweatsuits that are coming back, it’s specifically Juicy Couture sweatsuits that people are digging out of their closets once more. Yes, these iconic velour sweatsuits that were made famous by Paris Hilton are having A Moment and you know what? It makes sense. After all, they were the perfect balance of fashion and extreme comfort.
Y2K sunglasses and your other favorite accessories
Y2K fashion was extra in every way, especially the accessories. “Less is more” wasn’t really a thing during that time (unless you were referring to the size of your dog).
6. Those sunglasses
According to style-watching website What To Wear, the rimless, translucent, and shield-shaped sunglasses you wore to that Backstreet Boys concert 20-years ago are now “trendier than ever.”
7. Butterfly everything
You can thank Mariah for this one, because she was the ultimate butterfly accessory trendsetter. From butterfly bedazzled jeans, to bufferfly hairclips, statement jewelery and more, the butterfly is in a time of rebirth right now.
8. Belly chains
Well, you can’t have low-rise jeans without a blingy belly chain can you? This was such an “It” accessory and we’re seeing it pop up again in 2021. More jewelry than an actual belt, it’s not meant to serve function but instead add a bit of bling to your look.
9. Trucker hats
Bennifer is back. Britney is (almost) free again. Paris Hilton has a new show. So naturally, it was time for trucker hats to come back on the scene. Which honestly we can roll with (can you think of a better grocery store disguise than a face mask, sunglasses, and a big trucker hat?). But we draw the line at Ed Hardy.
Fashion expert Christian Allaire has this advice for adding the trucker hat to your Y2K fashion revival. “The consensus seems to be to let the hat take center stage, and to keep the rest of your fit simple,” Allaire wrote in Vogue. “Whereas Y2K stars wore their Von Dutch trucker hats with extremely maximalist outfits — think with ripped jeans, camo tees, and bejeweled sunglasses — now it’s all about balancing out the gaudiness of a trucker.”
