By Kelsey Hudson and Charlotte Mair
You might remember those Juicy Couture tracksuits and bags hiding in your wardrobe. Dust them off and drag them out, taking inspiration from Paris Hilton – remember her look of wearing a tracksuit combined with slides and a large tote bag?
Y2K fashion is everywhere now – just turn on the television and enjoy the pop culture of these garments being worn on celebrities in the media and on current TV shows, like Maddy from Euphoria. It is refreshing to see the new Juicy Couture collaborations with stores such as Urban Outfitters, and their new collection of tracksuits as well as underwear and swimwear.
From Paris and Nicole to Bella and Dua, the renaissance of Y2K fashion has triumphed, bringing sustainability to the forefront.
The resurgence of Y2K fashion has emerged due to the increase of thrifted outfits, breathing life into age-stamped pieces. As a result of fast fashion and brands stealing designs, there has been an expansion in individuality complexes for many. Thrifting outfits without assistance of current trends in mind has reinstated Y2K fashion.
Y2K fashion is defined as fashion that “covers the late ’90s and early-to-mid 2000s, so for millennials, it captures the energy (and shopping habits) of your childhood and early teens,” according to editorialist. It’s “all about making a statement, and making it louder than anyone else”, it says.
For many, these pieces can be adopted into their wardrobe by buying garments in charity shops. This has expanded into online marketplaces such as Depop, Vinted and Facebook marketplace. Evidently, the demand in the market for these sites is expansive, as Depop was bought for £1.1 billion in 2021.
Platform for sellers
Additionally, the high-end market has also delved into this field. Online marketplaces such as Vestiaire Collective and the Real Real provide a platform for sellers to market their vintage designer pieces. Much of these items are at an affordable price point and allow for Gen Z to adopt these pieces into their personal collections.
You can buy Y2K Dior bags from the Real Real for considerably lower prices than retail. Seeing models such as Bella Hadid re-wearing similar pieces regularly inspires these purchases as it is evident that Y2K fashion trends will be a staple in the 2020s. Similarly, you can find similar pieces online and in charity shops for lower price points than on the high street.
How does Y2K fashion inspire you?
Katie Woolgar Brown, 21, said: “I have been inspired by Bella Hadid’s off duty looks and wearing waistcoats. I enjoy sourcing vintage pieces, especially mixing both masculine and feminine styles together.”
It is evident that many people continue to take inspiration from the 2000’s fashion era. By doing this they are sourcing goods in a sustainable way and adapting these pieces to re-wear on a regular basis. The resurrection of these trends are an ode to the nostalgia that young people grew up around but were too young to take part in.
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