Y2K Fashion: The Top 10 Real 2000s Trends
Y2K fashion was always a little bit extra. A plain t-shirt? Of course not; it would be tight, cropped, and saying something back to you. Even your tracksuit would be bedazzled, and your jeans couldn't just be plain denim.
The Y2K fashion we really wore
As a teenager in the early 00s, Y2K fashion has a special place in my heart. I would spend hours poring over fashion magazines and making wish lists in mail-order catalogs (the days before internet shopping!).
These are the top 00s trends that I remember drooling over. And, if I was lucky enough - wearing!
1. Boho Y2K Fashion
The early 00s brought back the 70s bohemian look with a modern twist.
From tie-dye to ruffles and paisley print, it was equally as free-spirited and effortlessly cool as before, but this time with a bit more bling.
My prized possession in 2004 was a tiered, paisley print mini skirt. It was pink and brown tie dye, and the paisley print was bedazzled with sequins. This thing took me from discos to barn dances and casual summer days.
Where did we wear it?
- Worn by 00s fashion icons like Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and the Olsen twins
- Music festivals like Glastonbury
- Summer street style
What did we wear it with?
- Strappy sandals
- Anklets
- Layered belts
- Long necklaces
2. Handkerchief Hems
The boho revival brought handkerchief hems to the rest of Y2K fashion.
Handkerchief hems have an asymmetric cut. Basically, one side or part is longer than the other, like a folded handkerchief.
They were found on tops, skirts, and dresses. From the boho look to blinged-out club wear.
Where did we wear it?
- Clubwear
- Music festivals
- Formal occasions - Silk and chiffon tops, dresses, and skirts in pink and white were popular wedding guest outfits
What did we wear it with?
- Strappy heels
- Gladiator sandals
- Denim jackets
- Low-waist jeans
- Mini skirts
3. Y2K "Going Out Tops"
A Going Out Top was considered the peak perfect look in Y2K fashion.
Also known as a "Nice Top" or an "Evening Top". A conversation heard in every dorm in the 2000s would go something like this:
"We're going out tonight; what are you wearing?", "oh, just jeans and a Going Out Top."
A Going Out Top must have one of the following features to turn a pair of jeans from a day-to-night look:
- Spaghetti straps
- Halterneck
- Sequins, glitter or diamante
- Handkerchief hem
- Cowl neck
My Going Out Top of choice was a sequined, black strappy top with a layered chiffon handkerchief hem.
Where did we wear it?
- Day-to-night clubwear
- Discos
- Parties
- Drinks at the bar
- Weddings
- Any time you needed to dress up, but also down
What did we wear it with?
- Jeans
- Mini skirts
- Formal trousers (see Smart Casual)
- Strappy and bedazzled stiletto heels
- Chunky necklaces
4. Y2K Mini Skirts
Y2K mini skirts went from short to about as wide as a belt.
Micro minis in the 2000s were everyone's favorite skirt. Mini skirts came in the classic straight denim style but also in pleated styles in corduroy, tartan, or pinstripe.
There was nothing I wanted more in 2002 than a Burberry tartan pleated mini skirt. While I never got one, I've since filled my wardrobe with enough pleated tartan skirts to make up for teenage me's heartbreak!
Seen all over the characters in iconic pop culture movies like Mean Girls, Y2K minis have come back as the perfect example of the decade's aesthetic.
Where did we wear it?
- Clubwear
- Streetwear
- Partywear
What did we wear it with?
- Strappy heels
- Ugg boots
- Baby tees
- Going out tops
5. Y2K Casual Bling
When it came to Y2K fashion, everything could be bedazzled.
Diamante, rhinestones, sequins and glitter. A bit of glam was added to everything, from tracksuits to jeans and skirts. Nothing was safe from the bedazzler.
Where did we wear it?
- Street style - velour tracksuits were a favorite errand-running outfit of celebs. From WAGs (wives and girlfriends of footballers), to pop stars, and IT girls like Paris Hilton and Britney
- Red carpet - blinged-up tracksuits, jeans, and t-shirts were considered fancy enough for red carpet events in the 00s
What did we wear it with?
- A flip phone
- Sunglasses
- A tiny dog in a handbag (I'm only half joking)
6. Y2K Baby Tees
Y2K baby tees were tiny and cropped.
Short sleeves or sleeveless baby tees were decorated with brand names, logos, patterns, or tongue-in-cheek slogans.
The look was kind of like you were wearing a kid's t-shirt (hence the name!). Paired with low-waist jeans or baggy cargo pants, capris, or miniskirts.
Where did we wear it?
- Everyday casual wear
What did we wear it with?
- Low-waist jeans
- Mini skirts
- Ugg boots
- Vans
7. Y2K Surf-Core Fashion
The 00s experienced a surfing revival that made surf style the new street style.
Y2K surf-core was all about Hawaiin prints in oranges, blues, and browns.
Brands like Quicksilver and Billabong rode the wave of the success of TV shows like The OC that made beach casual look so cool.
The surfer look had us all in a chokehold. In the early 2000s, I dressed in far too many teal and Hawaiian prints for someone who could not tan, did not have beachy waves, and definitely could not surf.
Who wore it and where?
- Summer street style
What did we wear it with?
- Shell necklaces
- Flip flops
- A tan
8. 2000s Smart-Casual Fashion
2000s fashion took a business casual turn.
Satin shirts, fitted blazers, pinstripes, and black and white were the go-to smart-casual look.
Blazers came in every fabric and color, from denim to satin, but they were always fitted and detailed with ruffles, embroidery, or bling. Blouses had puff sleeves with belted waists, or peplum fits.
It was the perfect way to turn up looking smart, but not too much.
Where did we wear it?
- Office wear
- Day to night clubwear
What did we wear it with?
- Patent stiletto pumps
- Chunky necklaces
- Tiny handbags
9. Y2K Denim
More than just jeans, denim in the 00s was for everything.
Denim blazers with denim midi skirts. Denim capris with denim tank tops. Y2K denim was pretty out there and never, ever boring. Full double denim outfits were even often worn to red carpet events.
Y2K denim wasn't complete without distressing, faded washes, or embellishments.
My 00s double denim outfit was a fitted denim blazer paired with distressed bootcut jeans.
Where did we wear it?
Everywhere! Y2K denim was fit for every occasion
- Club wear ✔
- Street wear ✔
- Red carpet event ✔
What did we wear it with?
- Baby tees
- Going Out Tops
- Uggs
- Stilettos
- Lots of rhinestones
10. Y2K Jeans
Jeans in the 2000s had the lowest waist possible.
Washes were usually dark blue or greencast with fading and whiskering.
Brown, patterned, and white jeans were also popular.
The trendy fit for Y2K jeans was a flared bootcut. A hip and thigh hugging style, kicking out at the knees and calves to a shoe-covering flare. It was common to wear too long jeans, so your flares would drag on the ground, catch under your heels, and tear.
And when it rained, we all got soggy ankles as our dragging flares soaked up the puddles!
Where did we wear it?
- Everyday casual
- Clubwear
- Streetwear
What did we wear it with?
- Cropped baby tees
- Zip up hoodies
- Tank tops
- Going Out Tops
- White trainers
- Tucked into Ugg boots
- Stilettos
Where can you buy real Y2K fashion?
Check out our collection of 2000s fashion from the real decade. We are not just inspired by the trends; our stuff is the real deal.
Our 2000s clothes are hand-picked to bring you the authentic styles we loved back then, so you can nail your own authentic and unique Y2K outfit.
