If you’re a millennial who grew up on Lizzie McGuire, Spice Girls, and Britney Spears, then start crimping your hair and bedazzling your shorts because it looks like we’re taking a trip back to the early 2000s.
By Melina Brum
Can you believe that our childhood is now considered vintage? It feels like just yesterday we were loading our iPod Nanos and cooking gourmet meals in our Easy-Bake Ovens. Back in the day, most moms didn’t let us strut around in our favourite Paris Hilton inspired attire; thankfully all the recent trends are giving us a second chance to rock the runway with a wicked comeback. That’s hot.
As of lately, early 2000s fashion has evidently been making its way back onto the fashion scene. There is a good chance that anyone who uses social media is currently being bombarded with photos of supermodels in baby tees, mini purses, and camo everything. These nostalgic vibes are setting the tone for current fashion trends and I’m all about it. Here are a few styles to note:
Camouflage
Camo seems to creep its way into the fashion world every so often. There’s something subtle and masculine about camouflage that gives it such a statement. Numerous pop culture icons rocked the camo couture back in the 2000s era. Today, influencers and supermodels are taking inspiration from the iconic camo-craze. Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Hailey Bieber, and countless others have been seen decked out head-to-toe—keep your eye out or you might miss them.
How to wear: accessorize with a camo handbag or throw on a pair of camo pants to really make things pop.
Tracksuits
Ah, what a time when velour met Juicy Couture. Branded tracksuits were the fashion piece of the 2000s. From Kappa tear-away pants to rhinestoned rear-ends, this trend was a must-have and every noteworthy celebrity made it known. This comfort staple is easily on the rise again, with the classic Adidas three-stripe suits making an appearance on most fashion icons’ Instagram pages. If you want in on this look, check out Juicy Couture, Adidas, or Urban Outfitters.
How to wear: grab your chihuahua and multi-coloured Louis Vuitton purse, throw on your tracksuit and you are ready to go.
Small Coloured Sunglasses
Not only were small sunglasses the thing to wear, but it was a bonus if they were coloured. From Justin Timberlake to the Olsen twins, these glasses made any age and gender look cool. I mean, they don’t necessarily do the best job at blocking the sun but these sunglasses can trend-up any outfit—ask Kendall Jenner. If you don’t want to break the bank, you can skip out on designer versions and shop the look at stores like Forever21 or ASOS.
How to wear: top off your look with a bucket hat or pair of chunky earrings and you will be transported back to 2004 (in the best way possible).
Baby Tees
This trend goes hand-in-hand with crop tops, just with more of a “shrunken t-shirt” kind of look. This look totally contrasts the boxy oversized t-shirt trend, showing off more of the physique. This is refreshing and exciting to reinvent. You can probably stock up on some nostalgic finds at a thrift shop near you. Get ready to embrace your inner Britney Spears circa 2001.
How to wear: in line with streetwear style, match a tight baby tee with a pair of athleisure track pants and perhaps some branded slides.
Giant Hoops
I know I can’t be the only one who thinks of JLo when it comes to oversized hoop earrings. Miss Jenny from the block was the queen of giant hoops. Throwing on a pair of big old hoops used to tie together any going-out outfit. This accessory went off the radar for a while but they are back, let me tell you. The trendsetter Kardashian crew are definitely contributing to this comeback and the world is following suit. Forever21 has a bunch of different styles to choose from!
How to wear: style these with a basic bodycon tank dress and you will instantly feel more put together.
Cargo Pants
Once upon a time, stars such as Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne, and Christina Aguilera flaunted around in cargo pants—even at red carpet events. Whether they were cropped or tucked into a pair of boots, this look was all the rage. Style icons such as Gigi Hadid and Kim Kardashian are throwing it back by adding these pants back into their wardrobe. Many streetwear brands like I.AM.GIA offer this casual, cool-girl look for us to get our hands on.
How to wear: throw on a black spaghetti-strap bodysuit, some khaki cargos, white chunky sneakers and call it a day.
Athleisure Brands
With streetwear style at its peak, this is the time to shine for athleisure brands such as Champion and Fila. Wait — remember Kappa? Hopefully your parents kept some of their stuff around for you to dig into, otherwise you can find these brands at a much higher price than they used to be. A lot of sporty brands have been featured in many collaborations, including Fendi x Fila. There’s just something about the “tennis dad” vibe that makes everything look cool and laid-back.
How to wear: pair an oversized branded t-shirt or sweater with some biker shorts if you really want to feel on-trend.
Next time you decide to throw away pieces of your wardrobe, remember that history tends to repeat itself—whether you like it or not.
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