Would you believe us if we told you everything old is new again? Well, as we recently explored in our Retro Revival blog, the always cool styles of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s are back in a big, big way in home décor and design. And in fashion, it’s the early 2000s, turn-of-the-century vibe that has everyone excited and ready to go this summer. Just peep Julia Fox’s lowest-of-the-low rise pants or the sudden resurgence of velour track suits on everyone aged 15 to 55 landing at LAX.
But as we all know, styles are as fleeting as a cheap platform flip-flop. So let’s explore how to ride this one into its inevitable – if temporary – end, including what to amplify and what to skip all together. We’ll also cover what to do with all of the rest of the more timeless items you’ve got in your closet while you indulge yourself with some of the trendiest pieces of the early 2000s era.
Y2K Dressing is All About the Silhouette
If there’s one thing to play up in your Y2K lewk, it’s the contrast between silhouettes. Many of the clothes of that time were made in almost comical proportions, like absurdly gigantic jeans (looking at you, JNCO) or baby-sized t-shirts, which Paris Hilton should be credited in the history books for single-handedly popularizing in Western culture.
The key is to play with the forms to draw attention where you would like it to go, or to just create a bold, avant garde statement about the absurdity of those forms. The best part about Y2K fashion is that it’s easy to make a bit of a statement without saying a word.
Some of the classic early 2000s looks that fit this aesthetic include:
- Baby t-shirts, cropped tank tops or otherwise tight, short tops and loose-legged jeans
- Miniskirts and boxy sweaters OR miniskirts with Uggs OR miniskirts with boxy sweaters and Uggs
- Low rise, flared pants or jeans with ribbed cardigans
The latest versions of these products for sale are slightly less extreme than the originals – and a whole heap lot more expensive. So if you still have the originals – or can find them in a sister’s or brother’s closet, a vintage store or online secondhand store – definitely start there rather than buying new. And if you happen to find an original Fendi Baguette bag like Carrie used to swing around on Sex and the City all the time, well then — you’ll be Y2K fashion royalty.
Speaking of characters, you don’t want to look like you’re wearing a costume of course, so tread lightly – but mess around with the look until you find something that comes across as both fresh and authentic. A lot of what the early 2000s was about was finding your own way and expressing yourself. It combined a new femininity with the genderless form of grunge. And it was led by women – Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Shakira, Paris Hilton – who were dressing in a way that no one ever had before. Take a cue from their bravado and whatever you do, don’t take it too seriously.
Parts of Y2K Style to Skip
Of course, as with any retro revival, there are parts of it that shouldn’t see the light of day again. Parts that were so dastardly that we can’t believe they were even somewhat accepted by society once, and should in no way be brought up to bat a second time.
If you have any of the following in your plans for a Y2K style revival, please strike it from the list. After the last few years we’ve all had, none of us are strong enough.
- Double denim. Looking at you, Timberlake. Never forget.
- Layering dresses over jeans. Climate change may have put this absurd, somewhat uncomfortable and definitely unflattering one to rest forever. Buh-bye.
- Slappy platform mules and sandals. The ones that make noise when you walk?
- Adjectives in strange places. Let’s just collectively ban those.
- Tight denim miniskirts. They hobble your legs and you can barely walk in them. Throw ’em back.
- Tiny, tiny bags that fit nothing. Great, except we need to carry things.
- Sticky lip gloss. Great, except every single one of your hairs will adhere to it until it all wears off.
- Glittery cream eyeshadow. Great, except it will slide down your face within minutes of applying it.
Making Space for New Styles
Trends are always fun to play around with. And for whatever reason, they also seem to look better the second or third or fourth time (hello, bell bottoms) around. But most of us don’t have the space to store endless versions of the same thing, much less one version. It also doesn’t make much sense to keep everything handy in our closets when we need some items seasonally, annually or even less frequently than that.
At CubeSmart, we offer climate-controlled storage units to pack away your clothing until you need them — or they come back in style. Whichever comes first.
