The Y2K Throwbacks To Have On Your Radar
Style in the 2000s wasn’t just about velour and visible thongs – and now, the decade’s quieter heroes are claiming their moment in the sartorial spotlight, says LAURA ANTONIA JORDAN
While they are to be admired for their gusto, the TikTok generation’s enthusiastic interpretation of turn-of-the-millennium style can be a touch limited. In fact, the recent take on Y2K dressing has been so one-note that those of us who are old enough to remember it the first time around (and who weren’t tabloid It girls living in Chateau Marmont circa 2000–2010) can be left doubting our memories. Did we really all wear candy-colored velour tracksuits with trucker hats, and thongs poking out of our ultra-low-slung waistbands? Was everything really drenched in glitter and butterflies? Well, no. While that was certainly part of the style story back then, it wasn’t all of it.
Now, fashion is embracing a more low-key reading of that notoriously brash decade. Navigating the new 2000s nostalgia is all about placing it in the context of the 1990s style that preceded it. Think of it as an evolution of that era’s much-lauded minimalism; the restraint and simplicity offset with a dash of whimsy and levity. At the heart of this season’s take is pulling out those pared-back pieces that were just as important as the obvious headliners – and giving them their moment in the spotlight.
The low-rise skirt
The pelvic-grazing waistband (a signature of the era) doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking proposition. Far easier than a perilously low-slung pant is the hip-hugging skirt, but worn not with a teeny bra – you should have just a sliver of midriff showing. Take note from Jennifer Aniston, for instance, who made a satin maxi skirt look effortless by opting for a low-rise waist and teaming it with the perennially stylish white tank. Want something a little more polished? Sarah Jessica Parker’s skirt suit is all the proof you need that a flash of the hips can have uptown appeal.
Leather jackets and denim shorts
In the UK, the style decade belonged to the festival queens – and none more so than Alexa Chung, whose Glastonbury get-ups still grace many a millennial’s mental mood board. The reason that her looks have aged so well is that the components were classic – weather-beaten, shrunken jackets, Breton-striped T-shirts and denim shorts – but mixed together with attitude and in unexpected, playful pairings. Try the look now by teaming McQueen’s cropped leather biker with Burberry’s stompy biker boots and Frame’s cut-offs. Muddy field, entirely optional.
Drainpipe denim
It took years to prise women out of their beloved second-skin jeans. And now, drainpipe denim is finally back. Forever synonymous with Kate Moss, they always look sharp with ankle boots and a nipped-in, tailored blazer. But the skinny jean also brings a bit of rock’n’roll swagger to after-dark dressing, particularly for events that require something more glamorous than what you went to work in but aren’t smart enough to justify hitting cocktail-dress mode. The solution? Denim plus a ‘going-out’ top, such as ‘The Eloise’ from Brandon Maxwell. The swish of volume in the sleeves and the delicate Chantilly lace contrast perfectly with Mother’s ‘The Kick It’ jeans. Just add a stiletto heel to really take the look into sundown mode.
The It bag
The 2000s were the era of the It bag – a term coined for styles that were so in-demand brands struggled to keep them in stock – sparking endless waitlists. From jumbo totes (usually accompanied by equally massive, saucer-like sunglasses) to slim, baguette shapes that neatly tucked underarm, all it took was one paparazzi shot of a celebrity carrying theirs through an airport lounge, or using it to shield their face, for said bag to sell out. Balenciaga’s ‘Le City’ tote was one such style. Detailed with biker-inspired hardware, the slouchy design was often photographed swinging nonchalantly from the crook of Kate Moss’s arm. Sienna Miller was a big fan, too – channel her iconic boho style by wearing yours with floaty separates by Jacquemus and Chloé.
Suede everything
Sumptuous, buttery suedes in delicious tones of chocolate, coffee and caramel are a luxe addition to laid-back looks. Stouls’ ‘Astrid’ supple cardigan and cropped leggings make the case for wearing it head-to-toe, but don’t underestimate the power of a suede accessory (Gucci’s ‘Jackie’ is a classic for a reason). Just one word of warning: beware the rain.
Belts
Jeans, meet belt. Kate Moss shows exactly why the humble belt is a hard-working wardrobe hero. Often woefully overlooked, it’s the kind of accent piece that (literally and figuratively) pulls together an impeccable off-duty outfit. Although the decorative coin belt was a 2000s signature, a braided-leather version is its understated cousin that you’ll find yourself turning to again and again and again. Side note: the perfect gray sweater is one of those pieces that transcends trends altogether.
Boho beads
If this summer’s elevated ‘boho-luxe’ revival (the 2000s take was itself a riff on the ’70s) was too jangly, ruffled and swishy for your tastes, but you still admire that barefoot sensibility, then get into the mood via artful gateway accessories. Possessing the carefree allure of trinkets and charms made for endless summer adventures in Ibiza/Goa/Mexico, beaded bohemian jewelry and bags bring a hefty dose of dopamine to daily (read: ‘real’) life. ‘More-is-more’ might typically be the style mantra of these fashion free spirits, but alas, what worked for Sienna Miller ’03 doesn’t work for everyone. Adding just a touch of gypsy glamour – be it Diane Kordas’s beaded 14-karat rose-gold necklace, or Valentino Garavani’s lavishly embroidered ‘Vain Soft’ baguette – to otherwise classic looks instantly transports you to far-away lands. Almost as far as the 2000s, in fact.
Cargos and colorful sneakers
Remember the cargo pants of the 2000s? So big, so many pockets, so impractical! Now, they still have volume, but not an excess of it, and are cut to sit higher on the waist (Slvrlake’s ‘Rookie’ barrel-leg jeans are a modern take on utility). Keep it simple with a tank and the essential retro-inspired sneakers. The most beloved Adidas kicks of the 2000s might have been the ‘Superstars’, but try hitting refresh on the look with a lower-profile shoe – such as Adidas Originals’ ‘Handball Spezial’ in maroon suede.
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