While Y2K was a byword for impending doom at the turn of the century – remember the big tech glitch that was going have planes dropping from the skies? – it has now been reappropriated to signify a style movement.
For street style to hair, accessories to attitude, designers including Fendi and Dolce & Gabbana embraced the trend in their SS/23 collections, with catwalks from New York to Milan awash with a feel-good Y2K vibe. Here’s what you should know.
The Y2K aesthetic
The Y2K trend is best characterised by playfulness. At its core are short minidresses paired with chunky boots, satin cut dresses, loose-fitted ripped or patched low-slung jeans, cropped tops, and slingbacks.
Y2K Comeback
When Bella Hadid stepped out onto the streets of Milan during fashion week in a white cropped tank top, bootcut trousers with a raw hem and spots of olive-green tones, paired with a striped, brown sweater and black boots it was a sign that the Y2K trend had hit fever pitch. Elsewhere, Kim Jones’ Dior Fendi collection had all the Y2K hits. Models walked the runway in luxe-wear that brought the past aesthetic to the now. Meanwhile, the Diesel show could have been mistaken for a rave, open to the public there were nearly 5,000 people in attendance, and according to the brand, 70 percent were under 25 years of age.
Dolce and Gabbana brought in Kim Kardashian to curate their collection. The reality star brought along clothing from her wardrobe that even the house didn’t have in their archives. The clothes were predominantly from the Y2K years, which the designers reimagined to suit contemporary looks.
How To Wear Y2K
If you looking to build a Y2K-inspired wardrobe then look no further than cropped tops like Gigi Hadid did in her sweater vest paired with a classic light-wash ripped jeans and sneakers. The model-designer also added some chain necklaces and beaded bracelets.
Y2K Hair Trends Are Back Too
It’s not just the clothing that is screaming the year 2000, it’s also the hair do’s. Rihanna was recently spotted with a side fringe, a trend that had started and made it big post-Y2K. The trend came to life for a short stint in 2006 but has staged its comeback this year. Spotted with the hairstyle on the streets of New York, her stylist calls the look “clean and edgy”.
