The Enduring Appeal Of Kate Moss’s 2000s Wardrobe

Moss has always loved going out – and dressing up. Her style in the early 2000s was perfectly undone and eclectic. See her now-iconic (and sadly lost) vintage lemon-yellow dress worn in New York in 2003, the teal embellished cape from 2007 and the asymmetric lace skirt and tank top she styled in 2001. “[Her evening looks] are a masterclass in committing to a statement piece without overcomplicating it,” says Gen-Z content creator Linnea Turner, who emulates Moss’s ’90s and ’00s outfits. Recreate the supermodel’s 2001 look yourself with Calvin Klein Collection’s ‘Erin’ tank and Valentino Garavani’s lace-trimmed slip, adding Saint Laurent slingbacks and a Rabanne chainmail bag to hit the perfect note.

The key to nailing Moss’s nonchalance isn’t just about the clothes, though. “The tension created by her signature undone, textured hair makes the look compelling,” says Turner. “It gives off a ‘Parisian girl’ energy that is dressed up yet completely unbothered.” Lowthorpe similarly points to the importance of her approach to beauty – particularly her signature smoky eye. “She uses makeup really effectively,” says the editor.

Moss has always been a part of London’s music scene, but in the 2000s, she was immersed. She appeared in a video for The White Stripes in 2003 and started dating musician Pete Doherty in 2005. Her place amongst the coolest bands of the day is echoed by the rock ’n’ roll elements in her wardrobe – plus, she’s responsible for taking the underground indie trend to new fashion heights. From boho-coded pieces loved by her own style icons Nico and Marianne Faithfull (think: patchwork jackets and skinny scarves) to classic signifiers of the indie sleaze wardrobe (see: skinny jeans, ballet flats and soldier jackets), these styles are the cornerstone of some of Moss’ most iconic looks – whether captured on the streets of London’s Primrose Hill or the muddy fields of Glastonbury Festival.

Turner calls this her “bohemian festival-girl era” and says, “it still holds up”. For a modern take, try combining Nour Hammour’s slouchy funnel-neck leather jacket with faded gray denim from Saint Laurent and Alaïa’s lace-up ballet flats. Foundrae’s necklace also brings a touch of personalized charm. And while ‘effortless’ is often a word associated with Moss, particularly in this era, Lowthorpe argues we can learn from the underlying work she puts into developing a signature cool. “She knows that she can rock a skinny jean with a flat ballet shoe and she’s going to look gorgeously undone and sexy in a way that works on her body,” says Lowthorpe. “She looks comfortable in everything.”