The 2000’s: the coming-of-age time that every Millennial worth their salt will remember fondly. Compared to today’s social-media obsessed culture, the noughties were all very innocent. It was a golden decade of millionaire heiresses, Nokia cellphones, and R’n’B trios… the things which stick clearly in our minds as being the greatest moments as part a simpler (albeit cornier) time in our planet’s history, that we can’t help but think back on in a nostalgic way.
Weirdly, there is a direct contrast to these rose-tinted memories. What do the words, “early 2000’s fashion” say to you now? Terrible things, probably. For most of us, style monstrosities such as poker-straight-and-SERIOUSLY-HEAT-DAMAGED hair, the infamous thong underwear pulled above low-rise jeans, or – if you were a sensitive soul – a short Emo phase complete with skunk hair are likely the first things that spring to mind.
Thankfully, we’re here to remind you of the good times that you might have forgotten about. So get ready to say hello again to the re-emerging trends you thought you left behind on the schoolyard, as we now attempt to convince you that it wasn’t such a bad time for fashion after all (recommended listening: a playlist that will make you feel old).
Zebra Hair Streaks
The starkly contrasting, unblended hair streaks were originally pioneered by all your celebrity favorites including Christina Aguilera, Kelly Rowland and Avril Lavigne. Long before balayage and ombré fades came into our lives, these awkwardly unblended block-color-highlights soon became the quintessential hallmark of 2000’s hair, making us all wonder why no hairdresser had thought to blend those colors in a little?
You may be asking: why are we advocating the return of this? The truth is, there was a certain magic within the contrasting panels of the colorful look. The trend never completely left the building, it just evolved! Bright color hair blending is very much back in style. Pastels and balayage are all over the red carpet, runways and of course, celebrities’ heads. Since the trend shows no sign of stopping, there are plenty of ways to give yourself over to a shot of color in a tasteful manner. If you have a short or angular hairstyle, color blocking sections of light hair with a semi-permanent hair color is one way to get in on the fun, while hair chalks make a nice temporary alternative for the not so brave.
Denim Overload
OK, so Britney and Justin overdid it slightly in those (now iconic) matching red carpet ensembles. However, according to the all-knowing fashionistas over at Vogue, this season’s denim is made to be worn confidently, i.e. doubled-up, with patchwork designs, embellishments, boot cut legs and/or baggy bleached denim with distressed rips. The main difference that brings the whole thing into modern times? All of these noughties throwback designs are paired with our beloved high-waisted styles. The high-rise won’t leave us anytime soon so there is absolutely no need to fear the return of visible underwear. Phew.
The Chainmail Halter Top
For a while there, the chainmail strappy top was all anyone was wearing. You looked good and got to be slightly armored at the same, time, what wasn’t to love? Catwalk watchers inform us that the halter top – in both regular and chainmail incarnations – is about to make a triumphant comeback; this time, styled into a very on-trend 70s/disco vibe. To modernize, we recommend pairing with the aforementioned high-waist jeans and keep all other bling to a minimum. If you’re not a fan of glitter clothing, chainmail is a cool girl’s alternative to sparkle that will look perfect around the holiday season.
Featured Image via Unsplash
