The boom of Y2K
What is Y2K?
As mentioned above, the trend is rooted in the late 90s and early noughties. Some might think back on this time period and wince – we understand! A lot of us were in school at the time and still look at photos from the time and think “what were we doing?”.
Some of the memorable pieces from the time period include baguette bags, velour tracksuits, pleated skirts and the color palette includes a lot of pastels as well as shiny materials. The big players and the women who really cemented the style were – as mentioned above – Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in The Simple Life as well as Lindsay Lohan and the Olsen twins. But do you know who also truly embodied the style? The Bratz dolls! They had edgy clothes and great accessories, so if you’re ever questioning what Y2K means, you can easily google them.
We, however, don’t live in the 90s or early 2000s anymore and the Y2K trend can’t be copied and pasted directly into 2023. Here are our tips on how to wear this trend right now.
If you want to go all out and dive head first into the trend, you can start shopping for clothes. The jeans should be low-rise and baggy, and the t-shirts and tops should be small. Another great option, that’ll send you right back in time, is a tracksuit. Paris Hilton’s preferred brand was Juicy Couture, but yours doesn’t have to be.
Double denim – like Britney Spears and boyfriend Justin Timberlake at the 2001 American Music Awards – is also a great shout and has been adopted by the likes of Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa.
Butterflies must’ve been the animal for the millennials growing up in the 90s and early 2000s because everything resembling, printed or bedazzled with butterflies will make everyone think Y2K. If this is what you’re looking for, we recommend you check out Bluemarine as they seem to have perfected this style.
No matter what you choose, you’ll be on trend if you choose pastels (especially bubblegum pink).
Photos: ninasandbech, brandcoparis & charlottevanolm
It’s not necessary to go all out and buy full outfits to partake in the trend. Y2K style also has some outstanding and memorable accessories that will transport you back in time. One is the baguette bag. This shape of bag was a big hit at the time and could be done in many different ways and in even more types of materials. Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City was a big fan of the Baguette from Fendi, and we never disagree with her. Another great bag from the time is the Dior Saddle bag, but anything with logos as well as mini bags are an excellent testament of the time.
Kitten heels – they’re not for everyone, but they sure are back in style. They were massive in the 90s and now they’re back. They bring a sense of elegance to an outfit without hurting your feet, what’s not to love?
Y2K also easily equals glitter and sparkle. This goes for sunglasses in fun colors as well as logo earrings and necklaces. This is an easy way to upgrade any outfit! Imagine Paris Hilton wearing a Juicy Couture tracksuit, you bet she’s wearing some funky shades and a pair of large earrings as well.
Following trends the sustainable way
The Y2K trend is showing no signs of slowing down and what better way to join in then to buy actual designer pieces from the early 2000s? Shopping secondhand is an affordable way to take part in trends without partaking in fast fashion.
The Y2K trend especially has really shone a light on the secondhand resale market and all the amazing original pieces from the time – like Dior Saddle bags, Fendi Baguette, Dior sunglasses and jewelry – that you can still buy to this day.
The most important thing with trends is to just have fun! You don’t have to take part in all of them and you can choose to partake in the way that feels good to you.
