Libby Hernandez
- Sep 30, 2020

2020 Marks the Sustainable Comeback of Y2K Fashion

An iconic and bold style is making its rapid comeback into the fashion world. Y2K style is a late 90’s/2000’s aesthetic consisting of all my favorite items: low rise jeans, crop tops (especially recycled lingerie tops), brightly colored mini bags and cheeky mini skirts.

This aesthetic does not end there, Y2K encompasses a wide range of jewelry, hairstyles, makeup looks and pieces that led to the 2000’s being considered one of the most iconic times in the fashion world. Some staple fashion icons from this era that are inspiring this comeback include Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and the members of Destiny’s Child. This aesthetic is also displayed in classic movies such as Mean Girls and Clueless.

Source: Pinterest

One of the main reasons this aesthetic is being brought into 2020, a time of chaos, isolation and excessive social media use, is because of apps such as Tik Tok and Instagram. Popular influencers sport outfits consisting of lingerie tops, low rise jeans, and hairstyles using claw clips. Videos titled “Charity/Thrift Shop Haul” gain thousands of likes on platforms like Youtube and Tik Tok. The creators of these videos scour charity shops for vintage tank tops, mini bags and the perfect lingerie top or dress to recycle into an everyday clothing item. The Y2K aesthetic is spreading like wildfire.

(Source: The Zoe Report)

We can thank this trend for many things like bringing back funky prints and mini skirts, but most importantly promoting sustainable fashion. You don’t need to turn to fast fashion to find pieces that fit this aesthetic. Instead you can rely on second-hand clothing from charity shops, Depop and Ebay. Depop is an app where you can sell items, trade items or purchase items from your peers. If you are searching for Y2K pieces on Depop you can simply write “Y2K” in the search bar.

Even though Depop is a great app with so much to offer you need to be cautious when using it, ALWAYS read the reviews and make sure you are buying from an accredited seller, if you have an iffy feeling about the item/seller do not buy it (not worth the risk) and do not get scammed! Many people on Depop sell items at a ridiculous cost for what the item is worth. If you find the items too pricey I definitely recommend spending a day sifting through the items at charity shops. It can be a really fun day if you go with some friends and do a mini fashion show after (I know, we aren’t 6 anymore).

If you need some guidance on reamping your style or want to try something new you can order a style bundle from Depop. A style bundle usually consists of items from second-hand shops chosen by a Depop seller. You can tell the seller what aesthetic you are looking for, and any other preferences you have. I think this is a really cool way to step out of your comfort zone when it comes to fashion, shop sustainably and get some excitement (you can look at it as receiving a gift). You can also refurbish old t-shirts, jeans, and items you find into pieces that suit your style. You can turn your old tank tops into cute neon crop tops by dying them a bright color and cutting them, you can take a pair of plain jeans and amp them up by adding patch work and rips or pair your old school skirts with a cute shirt and accessorize.

Fashion icons like Beyonce and Britney Spears taught us that Y2K is a style that encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and wear those neon sunglasses with those low-rise Levi flared jeans. Paris Hilton taught us that neon colors can be pulled off with the perfect mini bag. The comeback of late 90’s and 2000’s style gives us the opportunity to step out of our comfort zone when it comes to fashion and shop sustainably.