Y2K Fashion Guide: 11 Staples to Perfect the Early-2000s Aesthetic (2024)

The early-2000s aesthetic used to be something I would only see again if I dared peer into the Pandora's box of my digital camera-fueled ‘Facebook Memories.’ However, since we are a species that does not learn from its elders, the inevitable happened: Gen Z brought back the Y2K look.

Best women’s pieces for embracing Y2K style

• The iconic tracksuit - OG Big Bling Velour Hoodie and Track Pants
• Extra pockets for your iPod - Cargo Easy Pants
• Everyday staple - Abercrombie Essential Baby Tee
• This classic shoulder bag - Mali + Lily Shoulder Bag
• Skinny shades - SOJOS Narrow Rectangle Sunglasses
• These platform slides - Crocs Brooklyn Slide Sandal
• Look like a total betty - Reformation Maila Two-Piece
• The going-out top is back - Asymmetrical Graphic Floral Cami
• Complete the look - Butterfly Hair Clips
• Channel your inner Mariah Carey - Crochet Butterfly Top
• Essential jeans - AE Strigid Low-Rise Baggy Flare Ripped Jean

The iconic tracksuit - Juicy Couture OG Big Bling Velour Hoodie and Track Pants

Maybe you’ve kept your precious Juicy Couture tracksuit tucked in the back of your closet all these years, patiently waiting for the day it could make its return. Maybe your mom has kept your childhood bedroom pristinely intact, a time capsule of 2004. Or maybe, like most of us, you never expected Velour to make a comeback and donated your now would-be-vintage set to the Salvation Army back in 2014.

Juicy Couture

OG Big Bling Velour Hoodie and Track Pants

$119 at Juicy Couture

$119 at Juicy Couture

Extra pockets for your iPod - Gap Cargo Easy Pants

You don’t have to deck yourself out in head-to-toe hot pink to jump on the Y2K bandwagon. If you’re more of a capsule wardrobe person than a collector of stand-out statement pieces, opt for these Cargo Easy Pants from the Gap.True to their name, these pants are easy: They have a relaxed silhouette and a casual, elastic waist. Neutrals like Khaki and Black give the pants a classic twist, whereas the Green Camo goes full send on channeling the 90s. Pair them with a Baby Tee, and you’ve got the look complete.

Gap

Gap Cargo Easy Pants

$99.95 at Gap

$99.95 at Gap

Everyday staple - Abercrombie Essential Baby Tee

If there’s one basic that needs to be in every trend-dabbler’s closet, it's a baby tee. Snug and simple, it subtly brings the Y2K aesthetic into any outfit. Whether you pair it with cargo pants for the 90s look, or a mini skirt to channel your inner Mean Girl, the baby tee is as versatile as it is polished.

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Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie Essential Baby Tee

$25 at Abercrombie & Fitch

$25 at Abercrombie & Fitch

This classic shoulder bag - Mali + Lily Shoulder Bag

While Carrie Bradshaw may not have been a model character for decision-making when it came to matters of the heart, she knew a thing about choosing her accessories: Especially when it came to rocking the shoulder bag.While Bradshaw was shopping for the likes of Hermes and Dior on a freelance writer’s salary (we’ll put a pin in that mystery), the rest of us can obtain shoulder bag cool for a whole lot less. This vegan leather shoulder bag from Mali + Lily offers a playful pop of color, while still retaining an understated elegance that persists beyond the short lifespan of trends.

Nordstrom

Mali + Lily Shoulder Bag

$68 at Nordstrom

$68 at Nordstrom

Skinny shades - SOJOS Narrow Rectangle Sunglasses

The last time I wore narrow rectangle glasses, I was in the 7th grade. I also had bangs, braces, and a Catholic school uniform (not the cute kind). While I know I am misplacing some of the blame for my misfortune, I am simply not brave enough to try rectangle glasses of any kind again.However, Bella Hadid and countless others have proven that reviving the super-small sunglasses can be done with grace and beauty. These SOJOS sunglasses are a cheap Amazon buy and come in a wide range of colors from playful pinks to classic neutrals.

Sojos

SOJOS Narrow Rectangle Sunglasses

$19.99$14.99 at Amazon

$19.99$14.99 at Amazon

These platform slides - Crocs Brooklyn Slide Sandal

Remember Flatforms? While I’m not necessarily advocating that we all bring back platform flip-flops, platform slides are a chic alternative. While ‘chic’ and ‘Crocs’ don't usually go together, there is an expedition to every rule, and the Crocs Brooklyn Slide Sandal is it.They come in classic capsule-wardrobe neutrals like Black, Spice, and Bone. While they’ll complete any Y2K look, they’re chameleons that can adjust to any era you’re trying to channel. Dress ‘em up or down, your feet will always be comfortable.

Crocs

Crocs Brooklyn Slide Sandal

$54.99$42.21 at Amazon

$54.99$42.21 at Amazon

Look like a total betty - Reformation Maila Two-Piece

It’s impossible to talk about Y2K style and not mention Clueless. Cher and Dionne’s all-plaid mini skirt set ensembles are quintessential late 90s fashion and set the tone for all that was to follow. Today, thanks to TikTok, mini skirts are back in full force.

Reformation

Reformation Maila Two-Piece

$298 at Reformation

$298 at Reformation

The going-out top is back - Asymmetrical Graphic Floral Cami

When we think of florals in 2024, our minds go to cottage-core: soft, delicate floral patterns that are perfect for sipping on tea, staring out into the ocean, and romanticizing our lives. However, florals in the early aughts were anything but muted. They were bold statement-makers announcing, here I am! This asymmetrical graphic cami from Urban Outfitters boasts two larger-than-life florets that totally got the memo.

Urban Outfitters

Asymmetrical Graphic Floral Cami

$29 at Urban Outfitters

$29 at Urban Outfitters

Complete the look - Butterfly Hair Clips

Your inner child is calling, and she wants you to get her Butterfly Hair Clips. While you most likely bought these at Claire’s back in the day, going to your local defunct mall is not a recommended part of this Y2K revival. This set comes with 50 colorful clips, so you can share them with your 90s-loving friends. (And spare yourself the guilt when you inevitably lose them).

JASVERLIN

Butterfly Hair Clips

$7.99$6.99 at Amazon

$7.99$6.99 at Amazon

Channel your inner Mariah Carey - Crochet Butterfly Top

The Y2K era was prime time for Mariah Carey. While the diva had more than her share of iconic fashion moments around the turn of the millennium, none quite captured the sign of the times like her Emanuel Ungaro beaded butterfly top—which she paired with low-rise jeans.

While there are plenty of fast-fashion knockoffs, they give off theme party vibes more than anything else. Alternatively, these crochet butterfly tops from Etsy are a more subtle, bohemian twist on Carey’s look. Whether you’re headed to a music festival or your local farmer’s market, these Crochet butterfly tops won’t look out of place: plus, they embody the fun, playful spirit that’s at the core of Y2K.

MomDesignKnitting

Crochet Butterfly Top

$27 at Etsy

$27 at Etsy

Essential jeans - AE Strigid Low-Rise Baggy Flare Ripped Jean

OK, maybe you are going to a Y2K theme party. By all means, go big or go home: Channel your inner Avril Lavigne and rock those low-rise jeans. These baggy, flare low-rise jeans are a good value buy from American Eagle. Plus, you can choose between light wash and black (you already know which one Avril would pick).

American Eagle

AE Strigid Low-Rise Baggy Flare Ripped Jean

$41.96 at American Eagle

$41.96 at American Eagle