Header image source: Teen Vogue
Low-rise denim, dresses over jeans, inflatable plastic furniture, gerberas… yes, we’re talking about the naughties. That weird in-between decade where we kissed the ‘90s goodbye and ushered in the new millenium with futuristic optimism.
Everything was space-y, low, tight, bright or shiny. Belly button rings were a key accessory, so were tinted sunglasses and Baby G watches (no shade, we still love them). Those who were in their impressionable adolescent years at the time looked to Mischa Barton, Paris Hilton and Destiny's Child for style inspo. Better icons you could not find.
As with all things fashion, what goes around comes around, and it seems that the Y2K trend has found itself a new slew of teens and twenty somethings to influence.
And with all trends embraced by the newest fresh-faced generation, there comes a point where those who remember the original fashion moment are forced to either embrace its most recent incarnation or learn from their mistakes and pass.
I for one have fond memories of teaming layered polo shirts (yes, one on top of the other) with the tightest, lowest jeans I could get my hands on. Of wearing boob tubes everywhere and anywhere. Ditto with anything velour.
The outfits were awkward, unflattering and probably flammable. But when I look at photos of myself and my friends from that time, I see youth, naivety and fun. Gawky teens finding their feet in the grown up world. Trying trends that no person should ever try and having a great time doing it.
So to the new cohort, all I can say is ‘Enjoy!’. I can’t promise you won’t look back at photos of yourself in ten years and not feel slightly queasy, but I can guarantee you’ll remember the fun times you had in that horrendous naval-grazing skort.