One true thing about fashion is that it’s always changing and evolving. New styles debut on the runways of fancy labels and soon every store is selling the same shoe or jean or jacket. And we try out the trends, convinced that we look pretty cool.
But another true thing about fashion is that stuff we were certain looked great at the time is the same stuff that we will, without a doubt, laugh about later. We see pictures of ourselves and think, “How did I let me go out of the house like this?” But at the time—très chic.
The 70s saw bell bottoms acres wide. Shoulder pads were literally big in the 80s. The 90s had slip dresses and more barrettes than an entire pre-school. And the 2000s had all the fashions going on below, which we can make fun of now that they are out of style but which we were totally guilty of actually wearing.
1. Wearing scarves and ties as belts.
Just one step up from tying an actual rope around your waist.
2. Trucker hats.
I blame Ashton Kutcher.
3. Denim miniskirts.
I have napkins bigger than that skirt.
4. Layering tank tops.
The more tank tops you layered, the cooler you were. I knew one girl who wore 36 at a time.
5. Super uneven “scene” haircuts.
Hey, it’s hair, why not mess around with it. You know it’ll grow back.
6. Weird cotton skirts.
That is straight up just a piece of fabric with a brooch holding it together. We really struggled with skirts in this era.
7. Super low-rise jeans.
We couldn’t possibly go any lower without showing pubic hair. This is not a good look. Who thought this was a good look?
8. Chunky, zebra-looking highlights.
“How To Make Your Hair Look Like Extensions.”
9. Matching Juicy velour tracksuits.
And again, check out Brit-Brit’s super low-cut pants. Were we short on material in the 2000s?
10. Bandanas as head accessories.
Only Axl Rose can pull off this look. Everyone else, have a seat.
11. Jenny from the Block Timberland heel boots.
Gotta admit, I still kinda like these.
12. Newsboy hats.
This must have been a side effect of Newsies nostalgia.
13. Super small designer purses.
So small! So difficult to fit stuff into! So easy to lose!
14. Dresses with jeans.
Okay, that is actually just a crime against fashion.