What Gen Z Thinks ‘00s Fashion Is Vs. The Embarrassing Reality
Nothing will make you feel older than realising that teens today consider fashion from the ’00s as “vintage”.
“But that was literally just a few years ago?” you might gasp to yourself, as a nameless TikToker show off their “vintage” Y2K haul. Think again. The ’00s were 20 years ago, which for anyone who grew up in the ’90s — like myself — would be the equivalent of us thinking that wearing ’70s designs was vintage… which we absolutely did.
Times, they are a-changing.
For people who lived through the very questionable fashion of the ’00s, just the thought of what you used to wear will probably still send a shiver down your spine. Low-rise jeans, belly button chains, Ugg boots, bandanas, skirts over pants, fedoras, trucker hats, bedazzled scarves, velour tracksuits, and belts over absolutely everything — the horror, the horror!
The fashion from the ’00s is something many of us would sooner forget, but that’s impossible these days with it being trendier than ever. But does what Gen Z wear actually reflect what was worn from the year 2000 onwards?
Honestly, I wish we dressed like that! Y’all look cool asf.
Here are a few examples of what Gen Z thinks ’00s or Y2K fashion is vs. the embarrassing reality:
Expectation:
IG @amyhallimond
The tiny bag is accurate, but those jeans would have been sitting so low — they were almost indecent.
Reality:
This is much more like it. Skirt and jeans sitting so low you almost flash your pubes, while accessorising with a fedora or flower clip.
Expectation:
IG @chloefraterr
This is so cute, I adore it — which means I never would have worn this in the ’00s.
Reality:
This is more like it! Why would you wear a top and skirt on its own, when you can wrap a giant chunky belt around the whole outfit just to pull the look together.
Expectation:
IG @bellahadid
Bella Hadid reps a lot of Y2K fashion on her ‘Gram, but she always looks way too cool.
Reality:
This is far closer to reality! There was nothing subtle about the ’00s, if you were wearing leopard print, you would commit to that print. The only thing to break up the leopard would be a belt that serves absolutely no purpose. Flaming red hair optional.
Expectation:
IG @graciepiscopo
Again… way too cute!
Reality:
Via Getty
Truckers hats were huge for a short time — especially Von Dutch, Ed Hardy and New York Yankees hats… for some reason. Typically worn tilted to the side, they were the perfect way to up any outfit’s cool factor — like being paired with this silk top Lindsay Lohan is wearing with a chain-strapped handbag and low-rise jeans.
Expectation:
IG @juicici.official
Once festivals are back in Australia, we can expect Y2K looks like this to truly dominate.
Reality:
Via Getty
However, this is a truer reflection of Y2K fashion. Why not add a shiny scarf for absolutely no reason like Ashlee Simpson did? Sling on a silk top, then pair it with some charming grandpa shorts, and suede pink boots. This was fashion.
Expectation:
IG @__mmaxinewylde
Another adorable look — I truly wish we dressed like this!
Reality:
This is a far more accurate representation of girlies getting dressed up in the ’00s. Everyone with dead-straight hair. Snooki in a shiny leopard dress, JWoww and Angelina in a ‘nice top’ (a staple of the ’00s aesthetic), and Sammie wearing tiny shorts — with a top revealing her bra underneath.
What a time to be alive!
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Header via Instagram and Getty.