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

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 is a Y2K outfit? ›

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.

What Gen Z thinks Y2K fashion is? ›

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.

How do you dress up 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.

What does Y2K mean? ›

Y2K is the shorthand term for "the year 2000." Y2K was commonly used to refer to a widespread computer programming shortcut that was expected to cause extensive havoc as the year changed from 1999 to 2000.

Why is Y2K so popular? ›

The term rose to new popularity in 2020 when users on TikTok and Instagram began popularizing nostalgic early 2000s fashion styles as “Y2K.” Now, it has inspired a widespread revival in early 2000s staples such as velour tracksuits, ballet flats, tiny shoulder bags, crop tops, bedazzled shirts, denim and baggy jeans — ...

What age is Y2K fashion for? ›

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.

Who made Y2K popular? ›

Some designers and brands that were associated with the Y2K fashion trend include Alexander McQueen, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Versace, Moschino, and Jeremy Scott. However, Y2K fashion was not limited to high-end designer labels and was embraced by a wide range of youth subcultures and streetwear brands as well.

Is Y2K a Roblox style? ›

Yeah, it's just a certain style of fashion.

Is Y2K still popular? ›

Y2K won't die, in my opinion. It will eventually hop off the trend cycle and likely jump back on at some point, and some people will continue to dress like so in the same way there's folks who are obsessed with dressing like they're in the '70s or '90s. It's simply become another tool in the sartorial box.

What is Y2K jewelry? ›

What is Y2K jewelry? It's the happy, nostalgic jewelry of the 2000's - which is totally in our wheelhouse because even 22 years ago, our jewelry game was going strong! It's whimsical, light-hearted, and in our case BEADED.

Is Y2K still trending in 2024? ›

Why is Y2K fashion making a comeback in 2024? The resurgence of Y2K fashion in 2024 is driven by a mix of nostalgia, sustainability, and the influence of social media.

Why was Y2K scary? ›

Many feared that when the clocks struck midnight on January 1, 2000, many affected computers would be using an incorrect date and thus fail to operate properly unless the computers' software was repaired or replaced before that date.

What does Y2K mean on 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.

Why was Y2K bad? ›

Many programs represented four-digit years with only the final two digits, making the year 2000 indistinguishable from 1900. Computer systems' inability to distinguish dates correctly had the potential to bring down worldwide infrastructures for computer reliant industries.

Why is it called Y2K 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.

What does Y2K mean in streetwear? ›

Y2K fashion is the style of the 2000s. The most notable Y2K fashion trends such as low-rise jeans, velour tracksuits and bandanas were worn by icons of the 00s era such as Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Destiny's Child.

What color is Y2K outfit? ›

Y2K fashion often features an array of vibrant and eye-catching colors. Neon shades, pastels, and metallics are common, and they add a lively and playful quality to outfits. Pastel and neon color combinations were not limited to clothing.

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