We'd Wear These Y2k Celebrity Outfits Today (2024)

We'd Wear These Y2k Celebrity Outfits Today (1)

Picture it: a cropped white tank top, cargo pants, and a pair of platform flip-flops. It's an outfit that could easily work for either 2003 or, well, now. Y2K fashion trends are (surprisingly!) still going strong, and it seems like every time we say, "Oh please, no, let's stop now," we spot another cringy styling trick from the past being revived (ex: dresses over jeans).

To be honest, the Y2K fashion comeback has grown on us (millennials, for example, now get to wear the '00s outfits they were too young to appreciate). But, if we're going to commit to rocking items such as corset tops and duster coats that reminds us of The Matrix, we're going to do it right. That means looking up actual Y2K outfits — as in, what celebrities wore from 1999 through 2003.

Whether the goal is Destiny's Child-level sexy or cool and casual like Angelina Jolie in her Lara Croft era, here's a bit of Y2K fashion inspiration, straight from the celebrities that defined the decade.

Jennifer Lopez's Cargo Pants

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Since this bottom style is so baggy, choose something tight or cropped to wear up top, like J.Lo's graphic tee.

Jennifer Aniston's Suit

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This look is still a red carpet and event favorite, and you don't have to be a celebrity to pull it off. We love how the actress skipped the shirt and added a statement necklace instead.

Devon Aoki's Sweater Dress

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If you're searching for cute winter outfits, try this timeless, model-approved formula: a printed sweater dress, styled with knee-high boots and minimal accessories.

Destiny's Child's Floral Outfits

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We can't decide which outfit we love more: Beyoncé's flower top and sparkly pants, Kelly Rowland's floral-printed ensemble, or Michelle Williams' sweet matching skirt set. Honestly, we'd still rock every piece.

Angelina Jolie's Leather Pants

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Turn faux leather pants into a statement piece by balancing them with a solid T-shirt and coordinating boots, just like Jolie.

Janet Jackson's Maxi Skirt

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If you've grown tired of micro-minis, take a tip from Jackson and reach for a maxi instead. A shirt with bold sleeves and boots will make this bottom work for cooler weather, but come summer, a tank and strappy sandals make the perfect replacement.

Aaliyah's Dress-Over-Pants Outfit

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If you're not yet sold on this Y2K fashion trick, experiment with a long, sheer tunic on top, similar to what Aaliyah wore to the premiere of Romeo Must Die. For a subtler take, swap the sequin styles for basic alternatives.

Sarah Michelle Gellar's Halter Top

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A silky, solid halter top will look great with almost any pair of pants — even shiny blue, snakeskin designs.

Katie Holmes' Jeans

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If you're still stumped about what shoes to wear with wide-leg denim, Y2K outfits are a source of inspiration. These jeans were often paired with sleek black boots with a small heel, much like what Holmes wore at the 2002 MTV Movie Awards.

Jessica Simpson's Pink Dress

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A sweet tank dress styled with matching heels is the Y2K way to nail date night fashion. Keep the accessories simple and carry a cardigan or duster in case you feel cold.

Kaley Cuoco's Brown Outfit

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Celebrities have been trading their jeans for trousers as of late. If you're still unsure what to wear up top, choose something in a coordinating color for a sleek solution that will elevate these basic bottoms.

Victoria Beckham's Corset Dress

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Victoria Beckham may have worn this lace-up corset dress to a Y2K awards show (specifically, the 2003 MTV Movie Awards), but today, we'd pair it with a cardigan and boots for a fun date night look.

Christina Aguilera's Metallic Set

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We love a pre-made outfit (AKA a matching set) and stylists agree that today, metallics will be worn casually, too. This whole look feels like something Megan Fox would wear on a night out, but a hot pink or bright blue option might make things feel more modern.

Busy Philipps' Tube Dress

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You know who loves a long skirt and boot combo? Today's top style icons. We'd admittedly copy Philipps' fashion formula from head to toe — and yes, that includes the tube top.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's Casual Outfits

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The Row designers are still big fans of rocking long coats with sporty sneakers, and now that we've ditched slim-fitting jeans for wider-leg options, this outfit feels like a fresh and fun everyday look.

Sandra Bullock's Black Dress

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A black dress could be considered more of a classic than a Y2K fashion trend, but the piece is definitely being seen in a new light. As we dream up all the ways to style an LBD, we'll be keeping Bullock's ensemble in mind — especially the fringe at the bottom, which is another detail that's bubbling back up.

Brittany Murphy's Pleated Skirt

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There's no shortage of schoolcore street style, but the archives hold a ton of outfit inspiration, too. Case in point: Murphy's pleated skirt, which she wore with a bomber jacket and knee-high boots for 2003's Cadillac Super Bowl Grand Prix.

Christina Milian's Denim-on-Denim Outfit

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Denim-on-denim is still one of our favorite ways to wear jeans, but if you're looking for something sexier than an oversized jacket and flares, copy Milian's corset and mini skirt combo. Weirdly enough, it contains pieces similar to those we've shopped on Revolve.

Lucy Liu's Leather Duster Jacket

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Long, oversized duster coats have become a go-to for stars such as Hailey Bieber. These days, we'd skip the scarf, but other than that, Liu's look wouldn't feel out of place on today's top models.

Britney Spears's Tracksuit

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Velour tracksuits are one of Y2K's most recognizable fashion trends, so naturally, we noticed when SKIMS, ALO, and Aerie began selling them again. Now, the laid-back (yet weirdly elevated) look is being worn by everyone from Lindsay Lohan to The White Lotus's Adam DiMarco.

Halle Berry's Red Dress

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Between Doja Cat's Swarovski crystals look, Margot Robbie's Valentino dress, and Priyanka Chopra's British Vogue cover, celebrities love this specific shade, and we know that Berry's ruched red dress from the Gothika premiere would fit right in.

We'd Wear These Y2k Celebrity Outfits Today (2024)

FAQs

What did people wear in Y2K? ›

Metallic and Glossy Fabrics

Y2K fashion is synonymous with metallic and glossy textures. Clothes made from vinyl, PVC, and other shiny materials were all the rage. They give outfits a futuristic, space-age vibe.

How would you describe Y2K clothes? ›

The characteristic of Y2K Fashion is neon color, metallic fabric, short top and low rise jeans. It also includes mini dramas and dresses, chunky sneakers, and space style designs.

How to wear like Y2K? ›

The Y2K look actually spans from the late 90s to the mid-2000s and was typified by scarf tops, boot cut jeans, velour tracksuits, pastels, metallics, cowl necks, pedal pushers (aka capri pants) and showy accessories, from furry bucket hats and trucker caps to bowling bags and butterfly clips.

Is Y2K fashion still trending? ›

However, thanks to TikTok and the fact that the 2000s were 20 years ago, there is a current revival going on of everything related to Y2K fashion. According to a Stylight report, these turn-of-the-millennium trends are booming thanks to Gen Z discovering and showcasing them on TikTok.

How did girls dress in Y2K? ›

Overall, the Y2K trend of our time was a bit edgy, it felt rebellious – we wore bright colours, low-rise denim – often distressed or mixed with other materials. Our clothes also reflected our “lifestyle” and the music we listened to.

What color is Y2K outfit? ›

Y2K color schemes were all about standing out and self-expression. That means bright colors like neon pinks, blues, yellows, and greens. This love of color was also represented in a rainbow of pastels and even in animal prints like leopard or zebra.

What does Y2K stand for? ›

The flaw, faced by computer programmers and users all over the world on January 1, 2000, is also known as the "millennium bug." (The letter K, which stands for kilo (a unit of 1000), is commonly used to represent the number 1,000. So, Y2K stands for Year 2000.)

Why is Y2K fashion so popular? ›

This trend is getting popular for a number of reasons, including its appeal to nostalgia, its affordability, and its relevance to the current cultural climate. Whether you're a fashionista looking to stay on trend or a nostalgic millennial looking to revisit the fast retro fashion world.

What does Y2K mean Tiktok? ›

Another popular aesthetic is Y2K, which stands for year 2000. An element Y2K has in common with Weirdcore is its embrace of “retro technology” visuals, inspired by how the future was imagined in the late '90s.

Can boys wear Y2K? ›

Y2K fashion for men was all about expressing oneself through bold and daring styles. From oversized graphic tees to chunky sneakers, this style had it all.

Why were people scared of Y2K? ›

In the year 1999, computer programmers and users feared that their computers would stop working at the turn of the century. Everyone was being warned and told to shut down their machines so that their computers did not freak out when the clock changed to 12am on January 1st of 2000.

How to dress like the 2000s in 2023? ›

Tracksuits were a significant part of Y2K fashion since it was all about sporting a relaxed and casual look. This means that loose-fitting and oversized sweatshirts, boots, and sneakers paired with outline-highlighting crop tops and baby tees are the best ways to look trendy in 2023.

Is Y2K taking over 2024? ›

The resurgence of Y2K fashion in 2024 is driven by a mix of nostalgia, sustainability, and the influence of social media. People are drawn to the unique blend of futuristic optimism and the iconic styles of the early 2000s.

How long did Y2K fashion last? ›

Technically, Y2K spans the years 1997 to 2005. But today, young people using these sites to source their inspired 'fits blend styles from the earlier '90s, early aughts, and the early 2010s. At this point, it might not matter whether we agree on when Y2K fashion begins and ends.

What was the Y2K aesthetic? ›

In recent years, Gen Z has set its retro-gazing sights on another era: Y2K. The Y2K aesthetic is a retro-futuristic fashion trend that emerged during the late 1990s and the early aughts (memorably called the “noughties”). It is characterized by bold colors, shiny materials, and unique textures.

What does Y2K aesthetic look like? ›

What Is the Y2K Aesthetic? The turn of the millennium saw design trends move away from the grunge and grit of the 90s, instead favoring bright, obnoxious colors, kitsch textures such as plastic, metallics and faux fur, and bling as far as the eye could see.

What is Y2K aesthetic features? ›

Y2K design is characterised by its unique blend of retro-futurism and digital aesthetics. It embraces bright, neon colors, often in unconventional combinations, along with glossy and reflective surfaces. Geometric shapes, abstract patterns, and pixel art also play significant roles, paying homage to the digital era.

Why is Y2K an aesthetic? ›

Y2K is a result of combining the early internet age (and its technologies) with the future-facing excitement of the turn of the millennium. Aesthetically, it has nods to the space age, incorporating blobby shapes and bright, shiny textures.

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