I was born in 1990, which means that I entered my formative fashion years just as the new millennium arrived. It was the era of mall fashion—when my mom would drop me off so that I could peruse Abercrombie & Fitch or Bebe with friends while she waited patiently in the parking lot. Now, many of the trends that defined that era—low-rise pants (which my mom used to make me return), fitted tanks (which I once wore layered atop one another), and sporty sunglasses have all made a return to the trend cycle.
“It’s been over a decade since the aughts ended, so the era is due for a revival,” says Charles Gorra, CEO and founder of Rebag. “Gen Z was old enough to live through Y2K fashion, but they never got to wear it as adults. Plus Gossip Girl and Sex and the City, television shows that were influential for their fashion, both had revivals.” Gorra says that when it comes to accessories, he observes not only the return of the era’s It-bags like Fendi’s Baguette or Balenciaga’s Moto, but also of other designer accessories like chain belts.
Love them or hate them, there’s no avoiding the fact that the defining styles of the 2000s are back once again. Ahead, find photo proof—in the form of street style trendsetters and celebrities illustrating the modern takes on the trends of two decades ago. So, zip up your track jacket, throw on your best bucket hat, and check out the trends of the aughts that are once again worth noticing.
