The 2000s were a time of anything and everything. People used fashion to express themselves or just to experiment with the multitude of trends that were floating around. While the 00s seemed chaotic, the fashion styles of the era also went along with it. From dresses over jeans or velour tracksuits, the decade had looks that at the time were iconic – and others that weren’t. The ever-changing trends all depended on the ‘it’ thing circulating, whether a film, a celebrity, or a genre, the 2000s ranged over a large variety of fads – some of which are currently repopulating our closets and fashion lookbooks.
Early 2000s
For the transition from the 90s to the early 2000s, Y2K and technology were the main influences for the fashion styles of the time. Looks often included lots of black with metallic or shiny tones, but were used more for going out environments rather than everyday settings. The most common items of the era were box-pleated or leather shirts, mesh or handkerchief tops, and leather jackets.
Mid 2000s
The middle years of the 2000s gained inspiration from the 1960s and progressed into a more bohemian style. The ‘boho-chic’ trend stemmed from the popularity of low-rise jeans, yoga pants, cowl-neck tops, and peasant blouses. Following the boho was the military-inspired, which lasted until the end of the decade. The unisex trend surged from the popularity of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies as well as the increased interest in 1980s fashion trends.
Late 2000s
Many of the fashion trends from the early and mids 2000s remained for the late 2000s, but the later years did see another revival of late 1980s and early 1990s streetwear. Neon colors, animal prints, polka dots, and geometric patterns took over the women’s clothing of the time. Men’s fashion visited the 1950s and 1980s with letterman or leather jackets, flannels, slim-cut jeans paired with Converse, vans, or motorcycle boots.
The Main 2000s Trends
Von Dutch, Ed Hardy, and Juicy Couture were the ones dominating the looks of the decade. From comfort chic to edgy fits, the 00s had a wide range of staple items that are now recognized as the garments or accessories of the era. Below are some of the most iconic items that decorated celebrities on the red carpets, artists in their music videos, and us on our way to the mall.
- Vests
- Uggs
- Sequins
- Hair clips
- Mini skirts
- Tracksuits
- Vibrant pink
- Kitten heels
- Cargo pants
- Low rise pants
- Baguette bags
- Cowl necklines
- Y2K sunglasses
- Dress over jeans
- Denim everything
Types of 2000s Styles
Just like now, every person had their own style. Whether a combination of multiple or alternating between a select few, the various styles of the early, mid, and late 2000s gave an outline of how people of each expressed and presented themselves. The following types of styles were the most prominent of the decade:
Hip-Hop: Looks included baggy jeans, sports jerseys, bubble jackets, puffer vests, and tall t-shirts paired with Timberland boots, Adidas Superstars, or Air Force 1s.
Streetwear: Focused on casual clothing. Featured distressed skinny jeans, tracksuits, graphic tees, plus garments from Tommy Hilfiger and U.S. Polo Assn. that were paired with Air Jordans or Adidas Yeezys.
Emo: Influenced by goth and punk styles. Looks were mostly or all black in skinny jeans, band t-shirts, studded belts, and vans. Complementary haircuts were choppy with long side-swept bangs either dyed black, platinum, or a bright color.
Scene: Influenced by indie, rave, and punk fashion. Featured skinny biker jeans, band and bright t-shirts, hoodies, studded belts, and tutus. Similar to the emo style, the hairstyle was a big part of the look, usually dyed bright neon colors, teased, and side-swept.
Athleisure: Comfortable yet fashionable. Often seen as tracksuits that were brightly colored and bedazzled with rhinestone logos or phrases.
The Rise of Fast Fashion
Retailers H&M, Zara, and Forever 21 rose as the new main shopping places of the millennium, replacing department stores like Macy’s, JCPenney, and Kohl’s. Target also found success in collaborating with various designers for featured lines at the retail stores at affordable prices. Fast fashion in this aspect allowed more people to shop designer items for decent prices which also opened the door for copycat styles. More American centered brands appeared in the mid 2000s such as Wet Seal, American Apparel, Hollister, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
The increase of fast fashion introduced many concerns for the ethics behind the production process. The working conditions, security, and non-livable wages for clothing workers were the main issues. Alongside it, was the issue of excess waste. The appeal of fast fashion highlighted the opportunity of having items that copy the higher end brands but at a more affordable price. But as the trends were constantly switching, the materials were often left behind to be thrown out to make space for whichever new trends were taking over instead. The main retailers of the era came across the backlash of waste plus the involvement of cheap labor.
2000s Trends Making a Comeback
Most of these throwback trends, fads, and styles are revisiting our fashion influences today. Although some looks were thought to be lacking fashion potential, others had just enough to be revived for the late 2010s and into the 2020s. The 2020s have taken the styles of the past and upgraded them with a more modern and cleaner aesthetic, but the foundation remains the same. Items that were once in our closets, worn out from constant use, and later thrown away as a passing fad have been welcomed into our wardrobe again – and aged better this time.
Date: February 9, 2023
Category: Fashion Styling
