Most Popular Y2K Trends & Outfits To Dress Like Y2K In 2022
Two decades after its ‘birth,’ Y2K fashion is back in vogue, and here’s why.
Revived by the Gen-Z on social media – a generation too young in 2000 to know about the midriff-baring and butt-skimming ensembles – the Y2K fashion styles appeal to young and old alike.
On the one hand, Gen Z finds the Y2K fashion looks, with metallic jackets, bubblegum pink, and velour tracksuits, unique and innovative.
On the other hand, Y2k fashion rings home with the more mature fashionistas, triggering long-lost memories of schooldays fashion looks.
@chlodavieToday’s vibe 🦋 #fyp #fypage #fashion #fashionstyling #styling #stylingvideos #y2k #cutestyling #festivalstyle #funkyoutfit #y2kfashion #spring♬ original sound – char
No matter how old you are, in this article, we’ll look at the best Y2K fashion looks you can put together right now, in 2022.
Inspired by the late 90s fashion trends, the early 2000s fashion looks had an overall metallic-tech vibe, surrounded by a growing denim feel.
1. Shiny Outfits
With the internet booming in the early 2000s, the idea of futuristic fashion was a huge trend.
Nowadays, shiny materials in silver (or pearlescent shades) are the best way to give your outfit a touch of Y2K fashion nostalgia.
Match a metallic puffer jacket with a pair of flared jeans, and combine with bright color cardigans and tops – ideal colors are orange, pink, and light blue.
Red Cropped Vinyl Puffer Jacket
$97 $47
Silver Metallic Trim Flared Pants
$68$14
2. Baby Tees
Some of the cutest trends of the early 2000s fashion, the teeny-tiny t-shirts, are back.
Cropped your baby tee above the belly button, but have a more oversized fit across the chest.
The most representative Y2K tops have quirky quotes, cute characters, and patterns on the front.
Some of the most iconic Y2K brands to shop for your baby tees are Fiorucci or Juicy Couture.
You can also style your baby tees with loose-fitting jeans, pleated skirts, and denim cut-offs.
Baby Blue Babydoll Tee
$20$12
Sofia’s Choice Y2K Baby Tee
$15$9.99
3. Wide-Leg Denim Jeans
The early Y2K fashion trends are also known for bootcut and low-rise jeans.
The best example is the ever-polarizing Canadian tuxedo made famous by Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake in 2001.
Another famous pair of jeans for women in the 2000s were the ultra-wide-leg style jeans.
Paired with cropped tank tops, fitted babydoll T-shirts, or slinky, ribbed button-ups, the grungy silhouette took a feminine twist.
The modern-day take on the Y2K wide-leg denim is less extreme, and for everyday wear, I recommend Raey’s Open Unisex Faded wide-leg jeans in blue.
For an equally powerful Y2K statement, try Acne Studios 1991 Toj belted high-rise wide-leg jeans in dark denim.
If you’re keen on doubling down and wearing two ’00s trends at once, Maison Margiela’s hip cutout detailing high-rise jeans are the best to re-create a Britney or Christina look.
Old Navy Wide-Leg Jeans
$45$35
H&M Y2K Flare Low Jeans
$19.99
4. Double Denim
Double denim is an equally controversial and polarizing Y2K trend that, when styled correctly, delivers a fierce look.
To wear double denim Y2K style, you must match shorts with cut-off vests, flared jeans with crop tops, and low-rise bottoms with oversized jackets.
At the same time, maintain a consistent color palette to ease the overall nonconformist look.
Finally, polish off your double denim style with a colorful pair of sunglasses, a baguette bag, and a pair of chunky heels.
Levi’s Vintage Trucker Jacket
$300$229
H&M Cropped Jacket
$29.99
5. Ribbed Cardigans
In the casual Y2K lookbooks, bedazzled logo T-shirts reigned supreme.
But, it was the ribbed cardigan that embodied the perfect off-duty Y2K style.
Worn with buttons undone (top and bottom), the clingy ribbed cardi was paired with baggy denim, mini skirts, or styled over silk slip dresses.
Take a cue from Katie Holmes, pair your cropped cardigan with a matching bralette, and finish the look with dark denim jeans and heeled boots.
H&M Rib-knit Cardigan
$19.99
Mango Ribbed Knit Cardigan
$68$14
6. Mini Skirts
Very popular in the early 90s fashion, miniskirts returned to the 2000s catwalks (in part thanks to Alicia Silverstone) as the perfect form-fitting counterpart to cropped tees.
In vibrant colors with the right texture – Y2k miniskirts will add a dash of nostalgic feel to your outfit.
If you wear your Y2K mini skirt in the winter, match it with a monochrome turtleneck and knee-high boots to achieve a relaxed yet elevated look.
Another way to wear mini-skirts (particularly colorful pleated skirts) is the style of Bratz Dolls.
The uniform-Esque mini and micro skirts look great paired with oversized sweaters, crop tops, and baby tees.
Complete the look with chunky sneakers or boots for an extra casual effect.
Jemmia Stone Split Mini Skirt
$12$5.50
H&M Short Twill Skirt
$24.99
7. Tie Front Tops
One of the biggest Y2K trends that took the 2000s fashion by storm was the tie-front top in pastel tones and ribbed fabrics.
In 2022, style your ties with cute bralettes, T-shirts, or even nothing underneath to create a fresh Y2K look.
The best way to rock the tie-front tops in 2022 is with high-waisted jeans, patterned wide-leg trousers, or colorful mini skirts.
Ribbed Tie Detail Cardigan
$12.99
Hot Pink Tie Front Top
$25$16
8. Velour Track Sets
There’s no Y2K fashion without Juicy Couture velour track sets.
Sported by the screen queens of the 2000s, like JLo, Paris Hilton, and Nicole Richie, velvet track pants and jackets are trendy again.
Start by buying an O.G. bedazzled Juicy Couture set or Les Tien’s pared-back navy blue hoodie and track pants.
Add a crop top, bralettes, a denim jacket, and a chunky pair of sandals to create a unique Y2K style.
For an extra effect and true Y2K aesthetic, choose bright shades of pink, orange, light blue, or green.
Victoria Secret Velour Track Set
$55$35
Juicy Couture Velour Tracksuit
$34.99
9. Translucent Clothing
The late 90s and early 2000s were years of experimental time for fashion designers.
One of the biggest trends of Y2K was the translucent and metalling clothing style, sported everywhere, from schools to super posh dinners.
In 2022, translucent clothes can be worn in many ways to re-create that beautiful Y2K aesthetic.
You can blend a lace baby tee with a cute underneath bralette – or a transparent slip dress; both great options for a night out with friends.
Another excellent option for a more casual setting is pairing a transparent button-down shirt with metallic pants and sandals in the same color.
Neon Pink Vinyl Mini Skirt
$48$10
Neon Color Buckle Tank Tops
$14.99
10. Baguette Bags
Thanks to Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic performance in ‘Sex and the City,’ the baguette bag has become a symbol of the Y2K aesthetic.
Nestled under your arm, the baguette bag is the perfect accessory for any daily task.
Wear a vintage Louis Vuitton Pochette or Fendi Baguette in pastel shades for a more nostalgic feel.
Try shoulder bags with shiny fabrics and metallic features if you prefer a more futuristic Y2K touch.
Faux Leather Baguette Bag
$8
Black Vinyl Baguette Bag
$18$12.59
11. Kitsch Accessories
Accessories played a significant part in any respectable Y2K outfit.
Whether you’re trying to create a complete 2000s look or just want to inject a hint of Y2k into your outfit, these are the best accessories you can wear.
- A pair of ‘A Better Feeling Arctus Genesis’ sunglasses – with a dual-lens construction, you can say you’re wearing two pairs of shades in one.
- Lots of ‘Roxanne Assoulin’s Fruit Stripe’ enamel bracelets – to harken back to that Y2K youthful look.
- A few ‘Gucci’s Logo Resin’ hair clips – for a modern fashion flex.
- A ‘Ganni Scrunchie’ – to stake a claim as the next Y2K girl.
Cute Y2K Hair Accessories
$9.99
Gummy Bear Hair Clips
$7.99
12. Bandanas
Bandana was another staple accessory for all Y2K fashion trends of the early 2000s.
In 2022, a branded bandana acts as a versatile headscarf to augment any Y2K outfit.
The best way to wear it is by folding it into a triangle and wrapping it on your head.
Add a pair of oversized sunglasses and keep your hair loose, as in the pic above.
It would help if you tried to match your bandana with your clothes (colors and patterns-wise) to give your ensemble a polished and elegant look.
Floral Pattern Bandana
$2.50
Blue Satin Bandana
$18$11
13. Butterfly Hair Clips
Butterfly hair clips and similar accessories have always been a favorite of millennial women.
Nowadays, butterfly clips are a must-wear addition to any Y2K style but must be worn in a particular way.
To augment your look while keeping your hair in place, place the clips on the lengths of your locks, as seen in the pic above.
You can also pin the hair behind the ear to achieve that proper nostalgic Y2K look.
Color Butterfly Hair Clips
$6.95
Rainbow Butterfly Clips
$7.99
What Is Y2K Fashion?
Now, if you’re new to the Y2K fashion trend and aesthetic, this section is for you.
As the name suggests, Y2K (Year 2000) is a trend recreating the late ’90s fashion and early-to-mid 2000s fashion styles.
Resulting from blending the millennium’s pop culture with the latest (for those times) tech advancements, Y2K fashion has a distinctive style.
To millennials, Y2K fashion showcases the energy and the shopping habits of their childhood and early teens.
To more mature fashionistas, Y2K times are a natural place to return to, filled with nostalgia for simpler times before the convergence of logomania-led fashion and the crossover between streetwear and luxury.
Nowadays, several past moments are helping to re-create the Y2K fashion trend, such as the 2000 computer bug or the launch of ‘Bratz Dolls’ in 2001.
Or inspired by the women who ruled the pop culture of those times, like Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliot, Paris Hilton, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, and Regina George of ‘Mean Girls.’
As such, the wardrobes of these celebs are seen as quick gateways to the best Y2K fashion looks of those times.
For the last decade, designer brands have focused on a minimalist look, somehow fronting the obsessive advertising and growing consumer culture.
On the other hand, the revival of Y2K fashion (through Y2K aesthetic clothing or Y2K aesthetic room themes) occurred during the global pandemic in a “We’re still here” kind of statement, louder than ever before.
Y2K clothing brings back bubblegum pink everything, metallic jackets, wide-leg denim trousers, bedazzled logos, teeny-tiny bags, denim on denim, and lots of Juicy Couture.
But don’t think that’s just the social media crowds pushing for the revival of the Y2K fashion trend.
Modern-day celebrities such as Rico Nasty, Bella Hadid, and Saweetie are also putting a fresh spin on the nostalgia-driven movement – check out their social media.
Is Y2K Black Culture?
While Y2K is inspired by the black culture, it is not exclusively about black culture.
As the name suggests, Y2K stands for the Year 2000, the beginning of the new millennium, influenced by many cultural groups.
Y2K clothing is promoted (and worn) by women of all skin colors and body types, far more than men.
Teenage girls, adult women, black women, white women, women with body image issues, or women with ‘ideal’ body types all loved (still love) the Y2K clothing style.
What Is Y2K Aesthetic?
Multiple aesthetics and styles are considered part of the overall Y2K trend.
The more distinctive ones are inspired by the mid-90s and early 2000s when the ‘internet world’ started to shape during the dot-com boom.
Any ideal representative Y2K aesthetic must have a slightly retro edge but a futuristic touch.
Think shiny materials, chunky, trendy sneakers, pleated skirts, baguette bags, wide-leg jeans, and colorful sunglasses.
Music, films, and the decor of those times are excellent sources of the Y2K aesthetic, with some of the biggest influencers in Carrie Bradshaw, Bratz Dolls, and films like The Matrix and Mean Girls.
The Best Y2K Fashion Brands In 2022
As a style that is trending once again, you can buy 90s fashion trends and Y2K fashion almost anywhere now.
However, for authentic clothing from this era, search online at second-hand stores such as Depop and Etsy for vintage pieces from the late 90s and early 2000s.
Just remember that the 2000s fashion reawakening and return of Y2K must be defined by bold fashion choices, whether you’re buying box-pleated skirts, yoga pants, or any affordable designer pieces.
For a more updated version of the Y2K trends, you can also try retailers such as ASOS, Nasty Gal, Revolve, Missguided, and even Amazon.
Here are the best Y2K aesthetic clothing brands of all time:
1/15
BABY PHAT
Best Y2K Tops
from $29
EDITOR’S NOTE
“We were all for the Baby Phat zip-ups, especially the cropped, sleeveless ones that still came with a hood.”
I still remember Alicia Keys out and about in New York City in 2003, repping a Baby Phat tracksuit with Nike Cortez sneakers and signature “A” gold hoops.
Baby Phat is an American clothing brand established by Kimora Lee Simmons.
Initially named ‘Phat Fashions,’ the brand began in 1999 as an offshoot of her former husband Russell Simmons’s Phat Farm clothing brand.
Baby Phat was relaunched in December 2019, bringing back to life one of the most favorite trends of Y2K, the bucket hat.
2/15
JUICY COUTURE
Best Y2K Tracksuits
from $65
EDITOR’S NOTE
“If you can get your hands on velour or terry cloth pieces (in every color) that have the slogan “Choose Juicy” or any varsity-inspired duffle bags, you’re sorted.”
Best known for its tracksuits to its status as a luxury icon, Juicy Couture was founded by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor in 1997 and was purchased in 2003 by the Liz Claiborne fashion company.
As a label that defined the 2000s fashion, JC holds a lot of weight in the fashion world.
From the Velour tracksuit to the shoulder bag with charms to baby doll dresses, this fashion brand created some of the most iconic Y2K fashion looks we remember to this day.
Britney Spears would wear the heck out of these low-slung track pants, that’s for sure!
3/15
TRUE RELIGION
Best Y2K Jeans
from $29
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Although the label has not made much noise in the past couple of years, True Religion remains a Y2K fashion staple, so grab some of their pieces while still available!”
True Religion is an American clothing company established in April 2002 by Jeff Lubell and Kym Gold and based in Vernon, California.
While True Religion filed for bankruptcy back in 2017, the brand has since tried to revamp its image and collections. (Note: True Religion filed for bankruptcy again in April 2020).
The classic horseshoe stitched pocket is an iconic label of the 2000s.
The label was Jessica Simpon’s favorite brand in the 2000s and was worn by Jessica Alba on several occasions, pictured here at a Hollywood event in 2005.
4/15
ED HARDY
Best Y2K Graphic Tees
from $25
EDITOR’S NOTE
“For better or for worse, Ed Hardy’s collections defined 2000s fashion, especially those graphic tees and bedazzled trucker hats that made the millennium fashion days so unique.”
How many of you remember collecting Ed Hardy tees with different tattoo-style graphics, just like the one Miley Cyrus wore here in 2006 at the A.M.A.s?
Ed Hardy tees are not my preferred Y2K look, but I must admit it is a quintessential 2000s style.
The brand was created by Don Ed Hardy, an American tattoo artist born in Newport Beach, California, known for his tattoos.
Ed had a strong influence in developing modern tattoo styles, also reflected by his eponymous apparel and accessories brand, all based on his artwork.
5/15
KANGOL
Best Y2K Hats
from $50
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Almost synonym to the 2000s hip hop fashion style, Kangol hats are must-have Y2K accessories.”
Founded in 1930, Kangol is an English clothing company famous for its hand-knitted angora wool headwear.
The name Kangol originates from ‘K’ for knitting, ‘ANG’ for angora, and ‘OL’ for wool.
Although no Kangol hat has ever been manufactured in Australia, the Kangaroo logo was adopted by Kangol in customers started to ask where they could “get that Kangaroo hat.”
Somehow driven by the current Australasian fashion trend, B.T.S. brought back the popular Kangol hats of the 90s fashion in their record-breaking music clip ‘Dynamite.’
The first to give them a thumbs-up was Missy Elliott, recalling her pink fuzzy bucket hat worn during the Fall 2005 Baby Phat runway show in New York City.
6/15
YESSTYLE
Best Affordable Y2K Clothing
from $7
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Shipping to over 40 countries, I highly recommend YesStyle if you’re after unique Y2K clothing at affordable prices.”
YesStyle is an online Asian beauty and fashion retailer running an online clothing store packed with Y2K clothing pieces you can’t find anywhere else.
Established in 2006, the company specializes in Korean fashion & K-pop beauty.
With over 40,000 beauty, fashion, and lifestyle items in their online store, it is impossible not to find something you’d love to wear.
7/15
MISS ME
Best Y2K Boho Style Denim
from $49
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Successfully capturing the many facets of a woman, Miss Me provided (still does) versatile wardrobe staples that make a statement.”
Who wouldn’t recognize the little red tab on the side pocket of classic Miss Me jeans?
Completed with contrast stitching, embroidery, and a distressed wash, this boho-style denim was the staple of Y2K celebrities like Queen B.
‘Miss Me’ launched its first collection in the Spring of 2001 – with the single purpose of dressing the modern girl who was multi-dimensional in character and style.
8/15
F.U.B.U.
Best Y2K Urban Clothing
from $8.99
EDITOR’S NOTE
“More than just a fashion label, F.U.B.U. is all about Y2K urban culture, manifested in the brand’s unique stylistic approach.”
FUBU is an American hip-hop apparel company, and the name of the label stands for “For Us, By Us.”
The brand was created when the founders were brainstorming for a catchy four-letter word following other big brands such as Nike and co*ke.
In 2001, FUBU Founder and Executive Producer of FUBU Entertainment, Carl Brown, scored the highest-selling compilation album in Urban Music history, “The Good Life”.
That’s when “For Us, By Us” became the mantra of the Y2K moment.
9/15
LE TIGRE
Best Y2K Activewear Brand
from $19.95
EDITOR’S NOTE
“From Athleisure wear and activewear to limited streetwear pieces, Le Tigre is one the most loved Y2K fashion brands by hip-hop stars.”
Le Tigre is an American brand of apparel designed to rival Lacoste in styling.
Launched in 1977, Le Tigre’s polos sported a leaping tiger in place of Lacoste’s signature crocodile and Retro Fox’s leaping fox.
Le Tigre became popular in the 80s fashion, with celebrities like Wilt Chamberlain, LL Cool J, and even president Ronald Reagan wearing the brand.
The brand made a comeback in 2003 after being out of production through the 1990s.
10/15
VON DUTCH
Best Y2K Streetwear Brand
from $39
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Von Dutch streetwear style trucker hats were all the rage in the 90s – 00s, represented even on the red carpet by Halle Berry in 2005.”
Von Dutch is an American global apparel brand named after Kenny Howard, a.k.a. “Von Dutch,” an American artist and pinstriper of the Kustom Kulture movement.
After Howard died in 1992, his daughters sold the Von Dutch name to Michael Cassel and Robert Vaughn.
11/15
KATE SPADE
Best Y2K Designer Brand
from $89
EDITOR’S NOTE
“In many ways, Kate’s Spade was a Y2K fashion phenomenon that culminated with the Sam Satchel and the Chloé Paddington bags, very popular during the ’00s.”
Everyone back in the 2000s had to have a status symbol Kate Spade bag.
Kate Spade New York is one of the best American designer brands, founded in January 1993 by Kate and Andy Spade.
In 2017, the company was purchased by Tapestry Inc. – formerly known as Coach – and nowadays, Kate Spade New York competes with Michael Kors.
12/15
ROCAWEAR
Best Y2K Hip-hop Clothing
from $25
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Founded by Jay-Z in 1999, Rocawear delivered to the Y2K fashion times logo-packed bold hip-hop outerwear.”
Rocawear is an American clothing retailer based in New York, created in 1999 by Roc-A-Fella Records co-founders Damon Dash and Shawn Carter, also known as JAY-Z.
JAY-Z later sold the company to Iconix Brand Group. Rocawear delivered to the Y2K fashion times logo-packed bold outerwear, repped here on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show red carpet by JAY-Z himself in 2001.
13/15
LACOSTE
Best Y2K Preppy Style Outfits
from $60
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Lacoste was the posh kid of Y2K fashion and a must-wear nowadays for a perfect nostalgic preppy look.”
Lacoste is a French company founded in 1933 by tennis players René Lacoste and André Gillier.
The label is globally recognized by the green crocodile logo as a homage to René Lacoste.
René was nicknamed “the Crocodile” by fans because of his tenacity on the tennis court.
Nowadays, you can see Dua Lipa and Kim Kardashian sporting Lacoste’s late 1990s fashions, usually matched with low-rise pants and skinny jeans for women.
14/15
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH
Best Y2K Casual Wear
from $45
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Back in the 2000s, Some of us couldn’t wait to graduate into the A&F world after shopping the denim miniskirts and graphic tees at Abercrombie, the brand’s little sister store.”
Once known for its sexualized ad campaigns, Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) is an American lifestyle retailer focusing on smart casual and casual wear.
In recent years the company has toned down its imagery and no longer displays nearly nude models in its advertisem*nts, and as of February 2020, the company operated 854 stores worldwide.
The brand gained a lot of media attention when Justin Timberlake and Britney Spear’s appearance at a Super Bowl party in 2002 looked straight out of a fashion catalog.
15/15
TOMMY HILFIGER
Best Y2K Denim Jackets
from $39
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Tommy Hilfiger’s y2k collections impress with a modernized approach to button-down shirts, chinos, denim jackets, and other classic American styles of the year 2000.”
Tommy Hilfiger‘s career in fashion began in 1968 when he co-founded a clothing and record store named ‘People’s Place’ in upstate New York.
Starting with $150 he had saved from working at a petrol station, Tommy managed to expand to a company of ten stores.
But, despite the initial success, People’s Place filed for bankruptcy in 1977.
It was in 1985, thanks to Mohan Murjani’s backing – an Indian textile magnate – Hilfiger debuted his first signature collection.
But Hilfiger reached popularity with the American “preppy” scene when Snoop Dogg wore a Hilfiger sweatshirt during Saturday Night Live in the 1990s.
The brand was sported in 2000 by Sheryl Crow, Britney Spears, Lenny Kravitz, and Christina Aguilera, to name a few Y2K celebs.
Y2K Fashion FAQs
What is Y2K Fashion?
Y2K fashion is a stylistic trend covering the late ’90s and early-to-mid 2000s styles. The distinctive style of Y2K fashion is inspired by the millennium’s pop culture and the tech advancements of those times.
What is Y2K Aesthetic?
Y2K aesthetic has a slightly retro edge but with a futuristic touch that includes shiny materials, chunky sneakers, pleated skirts, baguette bags, wide-leg jeans, and colorful sunglasses.
How do You Dress Like Y2K?
To dress like Y2K, you can wear shiny outfits, baby tees, wide-leg denim jeans, double denim, ribbed cardigans, mini skirts, tie front tops, velour track sets, translucent clothing, baguette bags, kitsch accessories, bandanas, butterfly hair clips.
Is Y2K Black Culture?
While Y2K is inspired by black culture, it is not exclusively about black culture. As the name suggests, Y2K stands for the Year 2000, the beginning of the new millennium, influenced by many cultural groups of all skin colors and all body types.
Conclusion
To dress like a Y2K, follow our Y2K fashion tips and shop original clothing from the year 2000.
The Y2K fashion brands mentioned in this article are the best place to start.
Also, platforms like Depop and Etsy are treasure chests of inexpensive vintage clothes and accessories from the Y2K fashion era.
For coveted designer emblems of that era, such as the original Dior Saddle Bag or Fendi Baguette, check resale platforms or online thrift stores like Vestiaire Collective or Grailed.
Of course, check contemporary high-end designer brands as well, as, since the start of the year, many have put their own spin on some of the core pieces of the Y2K fashion style.
Now it’s your turn…
Do you have any memories of the year 2000? How old were you back then?
Which one of these Y2K fashion ideas is your favorite and why?
Are there any other great Y2K fashion styles or brands you like and want to add to this list?
Leave your comments below, please!
