10 Ways to Wear Y2K Style Now
From tube tops to cargo pants, bandanas to bling – the decade you thought would never return to fashion is back. Curious to try it out a second time around? Look to our ultimate guide to the trend, featuring sleek and chic iterations, and a masterclass on how make it feel fresh in 2022
Fashion is nothing if not cyclical, but few could disregard the sense of deja vu that emerged from the SS22 runways. Bold, blingy and definitely bootylicious, the effect was disorientating as we were evocatively transported back into a contemporary era of popular culture – when Destiny’s Child’s tops were cropped, Britney Spears’ jeans were slung low, and Paris Hilton’s handbags were tiny and sparkly.
No one saw it coming, but Y2K style is back with a bang. The formerly overlooked era of fashion proved ripe fodder for designers this season, as they plundered their own memory bank to offer a fresh take on this most audacious decade. And after years of minimalism and utilitarian polish, the aughts revival feels like a mood-boosting palate cleanser that’s wrapped up in our own modern nostalgia – there’s a sense of vivacious freedom attached to an era where the skirts were so short, the accessories so statement, and when girl power was abundant.
If you’re daunted by the idea of sporting Y2K style a second time around, fear not. For today’s iterations are sleek and chic: think the grown-up sister to the era’s teenage superstars. From tube tops to cargo pants and breezy, boho styles – here’s how to wear them now.
Throwback bling
It was the era of the bejewel, when everything from belly-skimming bustier tops to bootcut jeans glinted with crystals. For SS22, they’ve been used more sparingly as a refined accent rather than a full-on sparkly statement. Pair frosted denims with black leather – Alexandre Vauthier embellished his everyday version with sparkling rhinestones – or opt for after-dark dresses trimmed with glittering crystals for nights on the dance floor. Those looking for impact, though, should opt for chainmail-inspired pieces – bling at its very best.
Tube tops
Carrie Bradshaw, Britney Spears and Naomi Campbell all sported the kind of tube tops that rose in popularity in the late ’90s and endured throughout the early 2000s. Simple-cut tube tops were the day-to-night de rigueur of the decade. This season, they’ve been given a grown-up twist, foregoing slinky, sexy fabrics to instead favor texture – think sturdy denims, patterned jersey and understated crepes. For the full effect, style with cargo pants, or pair with loosely tailored pants for a polished take.
The shoulder bag
The ‘It’ bag as a concept came about in Y2K, and no silhouette was more delectable than a baguette bag. Cute and cool, this tiny piece of arm candy was often carried by Paris Hilton, who was rarely papped without both a tiny bag and a tiny dog. Thankfully, this season’s styles are capacious enough to fit the ever-sizable smartphone – there’s plenty of modernist versions up for grabs – or pay true homage to the decade by bagging a Fendi, literally.
The PVC shoe
A firm fixture on the aughts dance floor, the PVC sandal is a party shoe like no other. Simultaneously understated and yet undeniably sexy, these stilettos are this summer’s wear-with-anything silhouette – whether after-dark minis or jeans and tailored blazers – and colorful iterations are an easy way to brighten up more muted looks.
The bandana
Move over scrunchie, for there’s a new hair accessory in town. Back then it was both kooky and cutesy, and beloved by Christina Aguilera; this season, designers ditched the paisley print and went for more geometric designs in monochrome and technicolor. Those brave enough should indulge in nostalgia with a butterfly motif that undeniably takes its cue from Mariah Carey. Wrap around your head, or simply style as a top, à la Bella Hadid.
New-age boho
Beachy bohemia was not just a trend, but a way of life – think Sienna Miller and Kate Moss roaming around Glastonbury with their tousled tresses, billowy skirts and studded disk belts slung low. Opt for crisp cotton dresses with asymmetric hemlines or frilly prairie-style skirts, paired with suede cowboy-style boots and a woven leather belt – one of the most wearable styles to undergo a revival.
The cargo pant
Sported by Jennifer Aniston and Aaliyah in the late ’90s and early aughts, this classic cotton pant is the ultimate in off-to-on-duty wear, and is as ideal paired with tank tops now as it was then. This season, the silhouette gets a tailored edge, with high waistlines and a wide-leg cut that feels appropriate for a boardwalk, boardroom or bar; black iterations are a particularly cool alternative to dressy pants.
DIY jewelry
No accessory is as nostalgic as a beaded bracelet, akin to the friendship bracelets that adorned our wrists in early adolescence. Rendered in candy colors, this season’s jewelry is equally irresistible, affixed to gold-tone chains and straps that feel girlishly grown up. Ideal for your vacation wardrobe, they look just as sweet paired with crisp shirting in the city.
Body confidence
Aughts minimalism played out in spare silhouettes that celebrated the female form – and this season, that spirit of body confidence is back. Slinky and strappy, wraparound ties are a major design detail here, whether they’re snaking around the waist and midriff on crop tops and pants, or lacing separates together to form dresses that feel contemporary and sleek. Take cues from Kendall Jenner and pair with knee-high boots.
The mini skirt
For SS22, mini hemlines provide a palate cleanser after season upon season of midi and maxi lengths. From everyday denim styles rendered in vivacious hues to scintillating after-dark versions and pleated styles that riff on sporty Wimbledon whites, there’s a sky-scraping hemline for every mood. Pair with strappy sandals for after-dark, or dial up the daytime appropriateness by teaming with socks and sneakers.
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