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20 Styles That Defined Early 2000s Fashion


20 Styles That Defined Early 2000s Fashion


Everything That Made The 2000s What It Was

Tired of the seemingly bland and boring fashion tastes of today? Miss the colorful and bold looks from the old days? Well, let's deep dive back into the early 2000s to explore what fashion looked like back then. Because compared to current modern tastes, it was quite different! From Uggs to body glitter and low-rise jeans, it's crazy thinking about how much our fashion preferences have evolved since. 

pair of teal Converse All-Star high-topsThuan Pham on Unsplash


1. Uggs

These thick, chunky boots were all the rage back in the day, and even though they've made a bit of a comeback in recent years, nothing will ever compare to their popularity in the early 2000s. Girls were rocking Uggs left and right, loving them for their comfort and low-effort look. Just pair them with jeans, leggings, or whatever you want and head out the door!

brown and white fur bootsThibault Penin on Unsplash

2. Denim on Denim

These days, wearing denim on denim might give you a few double takes, but back in the early 2000s, you'd easily find people flaunting it out on the streets. It's not just regular folk, all the celebrities were into it too!

Matthew JacksonMatthew Jackson on Pexels

3. Ballet Flats

Do you remember the era of ballet flats? Given how comfortable and hassle-free they were, we'd love it if they could come back! With no socks required and easy matching with a variety of different outfits, all you had to do was slip them on and you were ready to head out. 

Adrienne AndersenAdrienne Andersen on Pexels

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4. Low-Rise Jeans

Given how these days are all about high-waisted jeans, thinking about how low-rise options were once the trend feels a little weird. After all, they're complete opposites! But back in the day, ladies were not afraid to show off those hips and belly buttons; they were definitely not the most comfortable of pants though. 

Mizuno KMizuno K on Pexels

5. Plaid Flannel Shirts

Is it just us or was every Tumblr or Pinterest aesthetic surrounding plaid flannel shirts? Everywhere you looked, whether online or in real life, someone was rocking one. And it's not hard to see why - they're great for a casual look, can easily pair with some jeans, and look flattering on just about anyone. It's safe to say this trend hasn't completely died down either. 

StockSnapStockSnap on Pixabay

6. Velour Tracksuits

Thanks to movies, celebrities, and social media, velour tracksuits were a massive trend back in the early 2000s. In fact, they were definitely a defining moment that swiftly passed as the years rolled on. It was all mainly thanks to Juicy who paved the way for this crave. 

File:FashionTracksuit.jpgAlex:D on Wikimedia

7. Sequins

While fashion trends right now are veering towards more natural, effortless looks, in the early 2000s, it was all about sparkle and glam. That's why sequins were such a popular touch to any dress, accessory, or shoe! It was the definitive "I'm here to have a good time" look. 

Photo By: Kaboompics.comPhoto By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels

8. Body Glitter

Like we said, early 2000s fashion was more about standing out than looking natural. That's why body glitter was so popular! Giving your skin that extra bedazzling touch, many celebrities would use it on the red carpet. 

woman wearing white top and brown shorts sitting on grass field during daytimebohdan palahai on Unsplash

9. Converse

Who didn't own a pair of Converse in the early 2000s? These shoes were a staple in everybody's wardrobe. Everyone absolutely loved their casual look, and while the laces were certainly a bit annoying to deal with, it was easy to put up with when it was the hottest sneaker around. 

black and black and white Converse All Star high-top sneakersCamila Damásio on Unsplash

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10. Aviator Sunglasses

Can you really call yourself cool if you didn't own a pair of aviator sunglasses in the 2000s? Thanks to celebrities constantly wearing them on red carpets, these accessories quickly became popular with everyone. It gave the perfect blend of classic Hollywood and modern cool. 

man in black leather jacket wearing black sunglassesSiviwe Kapteyn on Unsplash

11. Neon Colors

It's crazy to think about how just a few decades ago, we weren't afraid to play with color! While everyone loves neutral, simple colors these days, the 2000s were all about bright, vibrant hues. People were not afraid to stand out in a crowd. 

cottonbro studiocottonbro studio on Pexels

12. Capri Pants

Where did all the capri pant lovers go? While these were immensely popular back in the day, with women wearing them out casually all the time, the fad silently went away for no reason. After all, they're basically just leggings or yoga pants that are cut a bit shorter!

Goddess Capri Yoga Legging in blackkiragrace.com on Google

13. Butterfly Hair Clips

It didn't matter how old you were, butterfly clips were a fun and adorable way to spice up your hairstyle in an effortless way. These colorful little accessories made any look feel all the brighter!

File:Butterfly and floral hair clips.jpgFaylyne on Wikimedia

14. Hoop Earrings

While hoop earrings are essentially a timeless accessory, we're talking about the massive ones that took over the 2000s fashion era. You would easily find celebrities in magazines or on red carpets wearing these large hoops that took up half of their face! Honestly, we're glad this one toned down a bit.

woman wearing blue denim jacketMatheus Ferrero on Unsplash

15. Jelly Bracelets

Jelly bracelets weren't the most fashionable accessory to throw on, but they sure were popular. They were mostly worn by younger generations because of their funny, easy-to-wear nature. Some even went as far as color-coding different bands to represent a certain "mood."

File:Pulceras.JPGMilagros Alcoba Deangelis on Wikimedia

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16. Trucker Caps

Some people might think trucker caps look a little too bulky, but that didn't stop everyone from wearing it back in the day. Coming in so many different colors and styles, people would choose ones that best fit their style, personality, or something they wanted to represent. 

MART  PRODUCTIONMART PRODUCTION on Pexels

17. Leggings Under Skirts

Whether it's for comfort, safety, or style reasons, leggings under skirts were definitely a more common outfit choice in the early 2000s world of fashion. People would freely combine different colors and prints to create a look that felt right for them. 

File:Skirt and tights.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org on Google

18. Cargo Pants

Do you remember those few years in the early 2000s where celebrities would go as far as wear cargo pants onto the red carpet? That's how popular and beloved these pants were. Perfect for outdoorsy, casual, or hip hop lovers, these pants weren't just comfortable, they gave you an instant cool vibe too.

File:Cargo pants 001.jpg - Wikipediaen.m.wikipedia.org on Google

19. Baguette Bags

These compact, trendy bags were seen everwhere just a few decades ago. Women loved them for its sleek, chic look while still being very convenient and practical. They're perfect for formal events when dressed up, but they're also perfect for casual outings when dressed down.

Leather Handbag - SOHO #1214 Half Moon Hobo Bag | Jack Georgeswww.jackgeorges.com on Google

20. Graphic Tees

Remember the days when people would rock graphic tees with the name of brands directly across the front? Ah, the good ol' days. Back when a simple graphic tee was considered fashionable and in style. 

Women's Graphic Crew Neck T-shirt – Levis India Storelevi.in on Google