Y2k что это стиль
Y2K Fashion: How To Dress Like Y2K In 2021 (Full Guide + 16 Clothing Stores)
Y2K fashion is back in vogue again, two decades and a bit after its appearance.
The Y2K comeback proves once again the cyclical nature of fashion.
And the fact that if you hold onto your favorite pieces long enough, they will come back in style!
The Y2K fashion style is revived by the Gen-Z on social media, a generation too young in 2000 to embrace the midriff-baring, butt-skimming ensembles favored at the time.
Now, as young adults growing nostalgic for the pre-algorithm advertising times, Gen-Z seeks metallic jackets, bubblegum pink, velour tracksuits, and other Y2K aesthetics to wear in 2021.
In this article, I’ll detail everything you need to know about the Y2K fashion, and the best 16 clothing stores in 2021
Take this quick gateway into the early tech-loving fashion trends of the late 90s and early 2000s.
Discover the origin of Y2K fashion, the characteristics of the style, and the most wanted pieces right now.
Learn how to wear Y2K fashion as an adult without looking like you’re having a mid-life crisis.
What Is Y2K Fashion?
In the world of fashion, Y2K is a stylistic trend covering the late ’90s and early-to-mid 2000s styles.
Y2K fashion has a distinctive style resulting from blending the millennium’s pop culture with the latest (for those times) tech advancements.
Y2K times are a natural place to return to, filled by a nostalgia for a simpler time before the convergence of logomania-led fashion and the crossover between streetwear and luxury.
From the 2000 computer bug to the launch of Bratz dolls in 2001, there are plenty of nostalgic influences impacting the Y2K fashion trend.
For millennials, Y2K fashion captures the energy and the shopping habits of their childhood and early teens.
The end of the last millennium was defined by women who ruled the pop culture of those times: Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliot, and Paris Hilton, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, and Regina George of Mean Girls.
As such, their wardrobes are seen as quick gateways to the best Y2K fashion looks of those times.
For the last decade, fashion designers have focused on a minimalist look, somehow fronting the obsessive advertising and growing consumer culture.
On the other hand, the revival of Y2K fashion (whether through Y2K aesthetic clothing or Y2K aesthetic room themes) took place during the global pandemic in a “We’re still here” kind of statement, louder than ever before.
Y2K clothing brings back bubblegum pink everything, metallic jackets, wide-leg denim trousers, bedazzled logos, teeny-tiny bags, denim on denim, and lots of Juicy Couture.
But, don’t think that’s just the social media crowds pushing for the revival of the Y2K fashion trend.
Modern-day celebrities such as Rico Nasty, Bella Hadid, Saweetie are also putting a fresh spin on the nostalgia-driven movement – check out their social media.
Is Y2K Black Culture?
Y2K is not black culture and it is not a ‘man-made’ fashion style, as some authors suggest.
As the name suggest Y2K stands for Year 2000, the begining of the new millenium.
Going back to ‘a men-style’ analogy, Y2K clothing are promoted (and worn) more by women – of all skin colors and all body types – than men.
Teenage girls, adult women, black women, white women, women with body image issues, ideal body type, they all loved (still love) the Y2K clothing style.
What Is Y2K Aesthetic?
There are multiple aesthetics and styles considered part of the overall Y2K trend.
The more distinctive ones are inspired by the mid-90s and early 2000s, during the dot-com boom when the ‘internet world’ started to shape.
Any ideal representative Y2K aesthetic must have a slightly retro edge, but with a futuristic touch.
Think shiny materials, chunky, trendy sneakers, pleated skirts, baguette bags, wide-leg jeans, and colorful sunglasses.
Music, films, and the decor of those times are excellent sources of the Y2K aesthetic, with some of the biggest influencers in Carrie Bradshaw, Bratz Dolls, and films like The Matrix and Mean Girls.
How Do You Dress Like Y2K?
(13 Most Popular Y2 K Trends & Outfits)
If you’re looking to shop original couture, platforms like Depop and Etsy are treasure chests of inexpensive vintage clothes and accessories from the Y2K fashion era.
For coveted designer emblems of that era, such as the original Dior Saddle Bag or Fendi Baguette, check resale platforms or online thrift stores like Vestiaire Collective or Grailed.
Of course, check contemporary high-end designers as well, as, since the start of the year, many have put their own spin on some of the core pieces of the Y2K fashion style.
Finally, check out high-end retailers such as Farfetch and Net-A-Porter for a more curated fix of the best Y2K fashion moments.
These are some of the key pieces you want to find and purchase to achieve that perfect Y2K fashion look:
1. Shiny Outfits
With the internet booming in the early 2000s, the idea of futuristic fashion was a huge trend.
Shiny materials in silver or pearlescent shades are a great way to give your outfit a touch of nostalgia and create that Y2K fashion look.
Wear a metallic puffer jacket with a pair of flared jeans and combine them with other pieces in bright colors like orange, pink, and light blue.
2. Baby Tees
The teeny-tiny t-shirts are some of the cutest trends of the early 2000s to make a comeback.
In general, these shirts are cropped above the belly button but have a larger fit across the chest.
Always choose tops with quirky quotes, cute characters or patterns on the front, and other related graphics from iconic Y2K brands like Fiorucci or Juicy Couture.
Just make sure to style your baby tees with loose-fitting jeans, pleated skirts, or denim cut-offs.
3. Wide-Leg Denim Jeans
When it comes to denim, the early 2000s is best known for bootcut and low-rise jeans and the ever-polarizing Canadian tuxedo made famous by Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake in 2001.
Another denim cut that made waves in the Y2K was ultra-wide leg jeans.
The grungy, skater-inspired silhouette took a feminine twist when paired with cropped tank tops, fitted babydoll T-shirts, or slinky, ribbed button-ups.
The modern-day take on wide-leg denim is slightly less extreme. Nevertheless, it still makes a powerful Y2K fashion statement.
See if you can find a Raey’s Open Unisex Faded Wide-Leg Jeans in faded blue, for everyday wear.
Or an Acne Studios 1991 Toj Belted High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans in dark denim, for an equally powerful Y2K statement.
Both deliver a classic and yet modern character that you can style depending on the occasion.
If you’re keen on doubling down and trying out two ’00s trends at once, Maison Margiela’s high-rise jeans come complete with cutout detailing upon the hip, so you don’t have to choose between being Britney or Christina.
4. Double Denim
Double denim is an equally controversial and polarizing Y2K trend.
However, when styled correctly, double denim can deliver a fierce look.
The Y2K aesthetic has a particular way of styling the ensembles – it’s all about creating a versatile silhouette.
For example, you want to match shorts with cut-off vests, flared jeans with crop tops, or low-rise bottoms with oversized jackets.
Ideally, you maintain a consistent color palette to elevate the overall look.
Finally, polish your double denim look off with a very colorful pair of sunglasses, a baguette bag, or a pair of chunky heels.
5. Ribbed Cardigans
Bedazzled logo T-shirts reigned supreme in the casual ’00s lookbooks and embodied the perfect approach to off-duty Y2K style.
But Y2K fashion also had an elevated top option that came in the shape of soft, ribbed button-ups and cardigans.
Worn with the top and bottom buttons undone, the clingy ribbed cardi was usually paired with baggy denim, mini skirts, and even styled over silk slip dresses.
Take a cue from Katie Holmes, pair a cropped cardigan with a matching bralette beneath, and finish the outfit with some dark denim jeans and heeled boots.
6. Mini Skirts
Very popular in the early 90s, miniskirts returned to the 2000s catwalks (in part thanks to Alicia Silverstone) as the perfect form-fitting counterpart to cropped tees.
Vibrant colors and the right texture are critical here, so look out for bright hues that will bring a flash of nostalgia to your outfit.
Also, to keep the look elevated, opt for Y2K-relevant fabrics like leather and wool.
If you want to wear this style in the colder months, pair your mini skirt with a tonal turtleneck and some knee-high boots – for a relaxed but elevated look.
The early 2000s also embraced the styling of Bratz Dolls, which included lots of colorful pleated skirts.
Whether you like your skirts micro, mini, or a little bit longer, all these uniform-esque pieces are great when paired with oversized sweaters, crop tops, or baby tees.
Also, match them with chunky sneakers or boots for that extra casual effect.
7. Tie Front Tops
One of the biggest trends of the 2000s, making a comeback, is the tie front tops.
In 2021, the tie received a fresh update with pastel tones and ribbed fabrics.
You can style your ties with cute bralettes, T-shirts, or even nothing underneath to create a super fresh look.
Personally, I love to rock my tie-front tops with high-waisted jeans, mini skirts, or patterned wide-leg trousers.
Try it, and you’ll see that this is a style you can wear over and over, and it will never go out of fashion.
8. Velour Track Sets
It’s impossible to think of Y2K fashion without your imagination immediately conjuring images of velour Juicy Couture track sets, as worn by JLo, Paris Hilton, and Nicole Richie, the screen queens of the early aughts.
I never imagined how or when the velvet track pants and jackets would become trendy again.
Yet, it was the quietest social year ever that has made the world go back and reach for the coziest pieces in their closets.
But, how do you wear your velour sets for a perfect Y2K fashion look?
First, acquire an O.G. bedazzled Juicy Couture set or Les Tien’s pared-back navy blue hoodie and track pants.
Then, style your velour with matching crop tops and bralettes, denim jackets, and chunky sandals.
For an extra effect and true Y2K aesthetic, choose bright shades of pink, orange, light blue, or green.
9. Translucent Clothing
The late 90s and early 2000s were years of experimental time for fashion.
One of the biggest trends of the era was the translucent and metalling clothing styles, even in the case of the super posh black cocktail dress.
Translucent clothes can be worn in so many ways; rock a mesh or lace baby tee with a cute bralette underneath or a transparent slip dress; both are great options for a date or a night out with friends.
You can wear a transparent button-down shirt for a more casual setting, with a crop top and trousers.
Overall, wear patterns and colors that you enjoy wearing, and let your imagination run wild.
10. Baguette Bags
The little bag nestles under your arm as the perfect accessory to wear on your daily tasks.
For a more nostalgic feel, you can opt for a vintage Louis Vuitton Pochette or Fendi Baguette in pastel shades – an excellent choice for lovers of that era.
If you prefer futuristic touches, go for shoulder bags with metallic features and shiny fabrics – these work well with almost any outfit.
11. Kitsch Accessories
Playful accessories complete a significant part of any respectable ’00s outfit.
Whether you’re going all-out ’00s or want to inject the tiniest hint of noughties fun into an otherwise minimal outfit, these are the accessories you need to wear:
1. We love A Better Feeling’s Arctus sunglasses; with a dual-lens construction, it’s essentially two pairs of shades in one.
2. For pieces that harken back to your youth, choose Roxanne Assoulin’s Fruit Stripe Enamel Bracelets.
3 But, if you’re after the best way to accessorize your Y2K fashion flex, pair Gucci’s Logo Resin Hair Clip with a Ganni Scrunchie and stake your claim of being the next noughties IT-girl.
12. Bandanas
Bandana was a staple accessory for all Y2 K fashion trends of early 2000.
Great to create that Y2 K style, the bandana is a versatile headscarf that can change your outfit, depending on how you wear it.
You can rock it in many ways, including folding it into a triangle and wrapping it on top of your head.
Add some skinny sunglasses and keep your hair loose below for the Y2K aesthetic.
Alternatively, you can twist the fabric into a thin strip and wear it as a headband.
For a fun take, match the piece of clothing colors and pattern with the rest of your ensemble for a polished look.
13. Butterfly Hair Clips
From the ’90s to today, these accessories have always been a favorite for millennial women.
Butterfly clips are a cute addition to your Y2K style and can be worn in many different ways.
For once, you can try placing the clips on the lengths of your locks.
You can also pin your hair behind your ear with the help of delicate barrettes.
Or, replicate the most prominent trends of the Y2K fashion era with a half-up, half-down hairstyle and achieve that proper nostalgia look.
Best 16 Stores To Get Y2K Clothing In 2021
As a style that is trending once again, you can buy 90s fashion trends and Y2K fashion almost anywhere now.
However, for authentic clothing from this era, search online at second-hand stores such as Depop and Etsy for vintage pieces from the late 90s and early 2000s.
Just remember that the 2000s fashion reawakening and return of Y2 K must be defined by bold fashion choices regardless of what you’re buying are box-pleated skirts, yoga pants, or any affordable designer pieces.
For a more updated version of the Y2 K trends, you can also try retailers such as A.S.O.S., Nasty Gal, Revolve, Missguided, and even Amazon.
Here are the best Y2K aesthetic clothing brands of all times:
1 /16
Baby Phat
I still remember Alicia Keys out and about in New York City in 2003, repping a Baby Phat tracksuit with Nike Cortez sneakers and signature “A” gold hoops.
We were all for the Baby Phat zip-ups, but especially the cropped, sleeveless ones that still came with a hood.
Baby Phat is an American clothing brand established by Kimora Lee Simmons.
Initially named ‘Phat Fashions,’ the brand began in 1999 as an offshoot of her former husband Russell Simmons’s ‘Phat Farm’ clothing brand.
Baby Phat was relaunched in December 2019, and it brings back to life one of the most favorite trends of Y2K, the bucket hat.
2 /16
Juicy Couture
Best known for its tracksuits to its status as a luxury icon, Juicy Couture was founded by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor in 1997 and was purchased in 2003 by the Liz Claiborne fashion company.
As a label that defined the 2000s, JC holds a lot of weight in the world of fashion.
From the Velour tracksuit to the shoulder bag with charms to baby doll dresses, this fashion brand created some of the most iconic Y2K fashion looks we remember to this day.
If you can get your hands on velour or terry cloth pieces (in every color) that have the slogan “Choose Juicy” or any varsity-inspired duffle bags, you’re sorted.
Britney Spears would wear the heck out of these low-slung track pants, that’s for sure!
3 /16
True Religion
True Religion is an American clothing company established in April 2002 by Jeff Lubell and Kym Gold and based in Vernon, California.
While True Religion filed for bankruptcy back in 2017, the brand has since tried to revamp its image and collections. (Note: True Religion filed for bankruptcy again in April 2020).
The classic horseshoe stitched pocket is an iconic label of the 2000s.
The label was Jessica Simpon’s favorite brand in the 2000s and also worn by Jessica Alba on several occasions, pictured here at a Hollywood event in 2005.
Whether it manages to solve the 2020 bankruptcy issues or not, True Religion remains a Y2K fashion staple, so grab some of their pieces while still available.
4 /16
Ed Hardy
How many of you remember collecting Ed Hardy tees with different tattoo-style graphics, just like the one Miley Cyrus wore here in 2006 at the A.M.A.s?
Ed Hardy tees are not my preferred Y2K look, but I must admit that it is a quintessential 2000s style.
The brand was created by Don Ed Hardy, an American tattoo artist born in Newport Beach, California, known for his tattoos.
Ed had a strong influence in developing modern tattoo styles, also reflected by his eponymous apparel and accessories brand, all based on his artwork.
For better or for worse, Ed Hardy’s collections defined 2000s fashion, especially those bedazzled trucker hats that made the millennium fashion days so unique.
5 /16
Kangol
Founded in 1930, Kangol is an English clothing company famous for its hand-knitted angora wool headwear.
The name Kangol originates from ‘K’ for knitting, ‘ANG’ for angora, and ‘OL’ for wool.
Although no Kangol hat has ever been manufactured in Australia, the Kangaroo logo was adopted by Kangol in customers started to ask where they could “get that Kangaroo hat.”
Somehow driven by the current Australasian fashion trend, B.T.S. brought back the popular Kangol hats of the ’90s in their record-breaking music clip ‘Dynamite.’
The first to give them a thumbs-up was Missy Elliott, recalling her pink fuzzy bucket hat worn during the Fall 2005 Baby Phat runway show in New York City.
6 /16
YesStyle
YesStyle is an online Asian beauty and fashion retailer running an online store packed with Y2K clothing pieces you can’t find anywhere else.
Established in 2006, the company is specializing in Korean beauty and Asian fashion.
With over 40,000 beauty, fashion, and lifestyle items available on their online store, it is impossible not to find something you’d love to wear.
Shipping to over 40 countries, I highly recommend YesStyle if you’re after a unique Y2K clothing, with an Asian touch.
7 /16
Miss Me
Who wouldn’t recognize the little red tab on the side pocket of classic Miss Me jeans?
Completed with contrast stitching, embroidery, and a distressed wash, this denim was the staple of Y2K celebrities, like Queen B.
‘Miss Me’ launched its first collection in the Spring of 2001 – with the single purpose to dress the modern girl who was multi-dimensional in character and style.
Successfully capturing the many facets of a woman, Miss Me provided (still does) versatile wardrobe staples that make a statement.
8 /16
F.U.B.U.
FUBU is an American hip-hop apparel company, and the name of the label stands for “For Us, By Us.”
The brand was created when the founders were brainstorming for a catchy four-letter word following other big brands such as Nike and Coke.
“For Us, By Us” became the mantra of the Y2K moment when, in 2001, FUBU Founder and Executive Producer of FUBU Entertainment, Carl Brown, scored the highest-selling compilation album in Urban Music history, “The Good Life.”
9 /16
Le Tigre
Le Tigre is an American brand of apparel designed to rival Lacoste in styling.
Launched in 1977, Le Tigre’s polos sported a leaping tiger in place of Lacoste’s signature crocodile and Retro Fox’s leaping fox.
The brand made a comeback in 2003, after being out of production through the 1990s.
Le Tigre had become popular during the late 80s with celebrities like Wilt Chamberlain, LL Cool J, and even president Ronald Reagan wearing the brand.
10 /16
Von Dutch
Von Dutch is an American global apparel brand named after Kenny Howard, a.k.a. “Von Dutch,” an American artist and pinstriper of the Kustom Kulture movement.
After Howard died in 1992, his daughters sold the Von Dutch name to Michael Cassel and Robert Vaughn.
Von Dutch trucker hats were all the rage in the 90s – 00s, represented even on the red carpet by Halle Berry in 2005.
11 /16
Kate Spade
Everyone back in the 2000s had to have a status symbol Kate Spade bag.
Kate Spade New York is an American luxury fashion design house founded in January 1993 by Kate and Andy Spade.
In many ways, Kate’s Spade was a Y2K fashion phenomenon that culminated with the Sam Satchel and the Chloé Paddington bags, very popular during the ’00s.
In 2017, the company was purchased by Tapestry Inc. – formerly known as Coach – and nowadays, Kate Spade New York competes with Michael Kors.
12 /16
Rocawear
Rocawear is an American clothing retailer based in New York, created in 1999 by Roc-A-Fella Records co-founders Damon Dash and Shawn Carter, also known as JAY-Z.
While JAY-Z later sold the company to Iconix Brand Group, Rocawear delivered to the Y2K fashion times logo-packed bold outerwear, repped here on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show red carpet by JAY-Z himself in 2001.
13 /16
Lacoste
Lacoste is a French company founded in 1933 by tennis players René Lacoste and André Gillier.
The label is globally recognized by the green crocodile logo, as a homage to René Lacoste, nicknamed “the Crocodile” by fans because of his tenacity on the tennis court.
Lacoste was the posh kid of Y2K fashion, and a must-wear nowadays for a perfect nostalgic preppy look.
Nowadays, you can see Dua Lipa and Kim Kardashian sporting Lacoste’s late 1990s fashions, usually matched with low-rise pants and skinny jeans.
14 /16
Abercrombie & Fitch
Once known for its sexualized ad campaigns, Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) is an American lifestyle retailer that focuses on casual wear.
In recent years the company has toned down its imagery and no longer displays nearly nude models in their advertisements, and, as of February 2020, the company operated 854 stores worldwide.
Some of us couldn’t wait to graduate into the A&F world after shopping the denim miniskirts and graphic tees at Abercrombie, the brand’s little sister store.
The brand gained a lot of media attention when Justin Timberlake and Britney Spear’s appearance for a Super Bowl party in 2002 looked straight out of a fashion catalog.
15 /16
Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger‘s career in fashion began in 1968 when he co-founded a clothing and record store named ‘People’s Place’ in upstate New York.
But, despite the initial success, People’s Place filed for bankruptcy in 1977.
It was in 1985, thanks to Mohan Murjani’s backing – an Indian textile magnate – Hilfiger debuted his first signature collection.
The collection impressed with a modernized approach to button-down shirts, chinos, and other classic preppy styles.
But Hilfiger reached popularity with the American “preppy” scene when Snoop Dogg wore a Hilfiger sweatshirt during Saturday Night Live in the 1990s.
The brand was sported in 2000 by Sheryl Crow, Britney Spears, Lenny Kravitz, and Christina Aguilera, to name a few Y2K celebs.
16 /16
Adidas
Adidas is a brand that needs no introduction, and it was of the most prominent Y2K fashion brands.
Initially, Adidas added stripes to its running shoes to make them more durable.
The stripes on the trefoil emblem symbolize the company’s focus on variety, with each leaf standing for three parts of the world (North America, Europe, and Asia).
The mountain-shaped logo conveys the idea of overcoming challenges and pursuing your goals, no matter what.
As for the round emblem, it stands for the globe and fast adaptation to new changes.
For all your Y2K Adidas fashion needs, make sure you go for the trefoil logo, as it was the only one featured at that time.
Now it’s your turn…
Do you have any memories of the year 2000 times? How old were you back then?
Which one of these Y2K clothing stores is your favorite and why?
Are there any other great Y2K fashion styles and brands you like and want to add to this list?