By Kaleigh Werner, EIC Lifestyle
By now I would hope the fashion educated in Gen X would know the iconic look of low rise jeans, lace-lined camisoles, butterfly clips and a nice pair of Steve Madden’s “Slinky30 Black” platform sandals. If you don’t, I can guarantee you will be seeing this outfit this spring and so many more styled to fit clothing trends from the 2000s!
I don’t know whether it’s because the summer 2020 sweatpant shorts and t-shirts vibe seems over worn and depressing or because we’re all just looking to add a little spice and color to our lives, but everyone is running to find the perfect Y2K pieces for the warm weather. There’s so much and so many style QUEENS of the 2000s to model your next happy hour or picnic outfit after, so where should you even begin? From Brittany Spears, Lindsey Lohan, Hilary Duff, to Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, and Paris Hilton, so many looks to choose from and some that are not worth the mental trauma of resurfacing. Don’t worry, I’m here to help and give you a few tips on the best staple items to go get to form an easy, affordable, stylish, and HOT spring/summer look!
Mini skirts
First, all I have to say is THANK GOD these are coming back because I was really getting tired of pretending that I could pull off a “midi” skirt when I’m only 4’11”! Now, it’s time to cut off the bottom half of those skirts to make it into two because little mini skirts are being revived from the 2000s y’all!! I’m not talking jean pleated ones necessarily (but if that’s your vibe I mean go for it because it’s definitely Y2K), but the cute cinched ones with a little flow at the end are the perfect easy breezy bottoms to wear for the hot sticky weather that’s about to hit. Check out Prinice Apparel, their “Erin Skirt” comes in the most bright and beautiful pink you could ever imagine or want in your closet!
Low rise jeans
Look I know, I KNOW, how does this even happen and how do we make this work? Low rise jeans?!?!? I bet you thought we were done with them and never looking back. NOPE, they’re back and it’s now all about how you style them. Speaking from someone who only owns high-rise jeans, pants, and shorts, I understand the hesitation. However, I will say that these are way more flattering than you probably remember. My favorite part about low rise coming back is the fact that they allow you to own your body without covering it up or hiding your stomach in the top of your high rise pants. You can pair these with a cute patterned halter top, baby tee, or camisole and then throw in a different patterned button up sweater on top, some platform sandals on the bottom and you are owning whatever street you walk down.
Juicy Couture
Terry cloth is everything this spring/summer and we really have Juicy Couture to thank for that one. Their bright and trendy tracksuits are the perfect transition out of the baggy sweats we’ve all been wearing and into a little more of an outfit. This is a true classic of the 2000s. I only ever had one matching set that I wore when I was in elementary school, so it’s safe to say that one doesn’t fit me anymore and I am going to need a new one. Forever 21 has just launched their collaboration with Juicy to bring you guys not only the tracksuit, but terry cloth, colorful, collared tops, regular tanks, tops, bandeaus, biker shorts, slippers, etc. All of which have the “Forever 21 x Juicy Couture” logos across them and you don’t have to get the sweats that have the name on the butt it’s okay.
Halter tops and dresses
Following a lot of the trends that have come up this year with backless or open shoulder shirts, halter tops and dresses have made a comeback as well. These can be knit, patterned, colored, cropped, short, or long and worn with the mini skirt or low rise jeans. I really love these tops and dresses for the cut and emphasis they give you!
Chunky platform sandals
Ugh, I am still waiting for the day that Steve Madden offers to sponsor me because boy does this company really know how to continue to be the cutest and trendiest shoe company out there. Steve Madden is vintage and new all at the same time and their “Slinky30 Black” platform sandals are just exactly what we need. However, these style sandals can be bought or thrifted at a number of different places and online as well. They’re black, pink, white, you name it and they’re almost a slide look shoe, but with a little heel or a chunky platform with a band that covers the middle of the foot. An easy and comfortable shoe to throw on when you can’t take wearing your Nike blazers or Air Force 1s anymore! Gotta let those toes breathe!
Furry bags
Yes, yes, yes and YES. I now have three of these bags. I can’t help it!!!! I just don’t know what there is not to love, a furry pink cheetah print shoulder bag makes anything you are wearing so much more fun. They add color, they add pattern, and they add style to a comfy sweat suit kind of day.
Plenty of color and patterns EVERYWHERE
Mix and match and go absolutely crazy because with bringing back the 2000s comes bringing back color, pattern, and texture in every which way. We’re beading necklaces and melting beads into rings. We’re making clay rings and pairing them with colorful flower sweaters and zebra pants. Our inner childhood dreams of mix matching to make an outfit are now cool and cute! Pinks, greens, lilac, orange, yellow, you name it! Pick a few and infuse them into your outfit of the day!
Here are some of my favorite suggested brands and places to go for Y2K looks:
Dolls Kill – https://www.dollskill.com/
Princie Apparel – https://www.princie.com/collections/best-sellers
Forever 21 – https://www.forever21.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-forever21-Site/en_US/Search-Show?q=juicy%20couture
Cider – https://shopcider.com/collections/best-seller
Princess Polly – https://us.princesspolly.com/collections/pleated-mini-skirts
Any Thrift Store!!! Savers, Unique, Village Thrift, Buffalo Exchange
