10 Essential Items of Y2K Fashion

In the 2000s, headbands and bandanas were everywhere. Be it red carpets, TV shows, music videos, you wouldn't miss this on every 'it'-girl's pretty head. Now, current 'it'-girls like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid have begun re-wearing these items. Be it preppy style hairbands or more Americana-style bandanas, these are the ultimate accessories to give your look a distinct Y2K flair.

After years of high-waisted pants, the low rise is back with a vengeance. These belly-flashing pants hung on the hips of every young starlet of the early aughts, notably 2000s icon Paris Hilton. The look was criticized by some for promoting borderline unhealthy skinny bodies, but the trend has now returned with more inclusivity for other body types.

Chunky shoes were all the rage during the 2000s. Then, stilettos and sneakers came to replace its place in mainstream popularity. But recent years have seen the pendulum swing the other way, with shoe soles getting thicker and higher. There are different assortments of platform shoes popping back on the market: Mary Jane, sandals, boots, platforms. Petite girls everywhere can now appear taller without hurting their feet.

With low rise’s resurgence, the baby tees have also seen new prominence. In the aughts, the two items often go together. Everyone from Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan to Paris Hilton donned the body hugging, tiny tees. Now, Gen Zs are catching on to the trend. Gone are the days of oversized tees and loose vests, for the baby tees are in!

Layering denim with denim was a staple of the aughts. Who can forget the iconic all-denim ensemble then-lovers Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake wore at the 2001 American Music Awards? This one is also one of the easiest trends to sport because, well, who doesn’t have denim in their closets? 

Don these rimless, sheer, multi-color tinted sunglasses for a truly 2000s authentic vibe. While other trends are inspired by fashion trends from other time periods, this is one of the few that is truly uniquely Y2K. The 2000s was an era of hyper futuristic, millennium style - these sci-fi-esque sunglasses included. Pair this with shiny lip glosses and you’re good to go.

2000s were all about maximalist accessories and bejeweling every surface possible. There’s a childlike quality to them, as shown in the colorful and kiddie shapes appearing in many bracelets, necklaces, and earrings that girls of the aughts wore.

Not just body accessories, childlike butterfly clips also adorned every girl’s heads back in the early 2000s. Liked by style icons from Sarah Michelle Gellar to Britney Spears, this look is ultra feminine and cute as a button. With these accessories, you can’t skimp - you need a LOT of them at once as if you have a flower bed full of butterflies on your head.

It’s slim and teeny and it probably won’t hold too many items, but it’s cute as heck. Also known as the baguette bags, these purses were on every early aughts cool girls’ shoulders. At the time, every major fashion brand on the planet came up with a version of the baguette bag. Famous ones include iterations by Louis Vuitton and Fendi, which found prominence thanks to shows like Sex and the City and Friends. These brands, along with countless more, have started reviving the baguettes for the Gen Z era.

If you’re talking about 2000s fashion, you just cannot not mention Juicy Couture’s velvety tracksuits. A staple first popularized by Paris Hilton (which totally dominated the fashion scene of the era), velour tracksuits in all the rainbow’s colors soon became ubiquitous. Essentially glamorised sweatpants, this re-emerging trend offers both chicness and comfort, a total win-win.