2000s Fashion: 12 Classic Styles Making a Comeback

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Dust off your Juicy Couture tracksuits—2000s fashion is officially back in style. Thanks to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, year 2000 (Y2K) trends like low-rise jeans and cargo pants are again taking center stage.

Read on to learn more about this era and discover 12 outfits inspired by the early aughts. 

What’s 2000s women's fashion?

Y2K fashion refers to trends from the late 1990s to the 2000s, which included bold colors and metallic fabrics. Outfits mixed retro and futuristic elements to create an exciting aesthetic. 

This period was about experimenting with new looks—from glam to edgy—and icons like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears led the charge. From flared jeans in dark washes to platform shoes, 2000s women's fashion encouraged playful personal styles. 

Today, the 2000s have made a comeback on runways and the streets. You’ll still find classic pieces like crop tops and cargo pants, but some items are getting a modern twist.

12 iconic ’00s outfits you'll want to recreate

Some of the most memorable fashion trends occurred in this era—here are 12 outfit ideas to bring them to life.

Early 2000s style

1. Low-rise jeans and a crop top 

Nothing screams the early 2000s like low-rise jeans. These pants, often worn by pop stars like Christina Aguilera and Destiny’s Child, pair perfectly with a cropped tank top. 

To capture the time, choose distressed sand-washed jeans. Finish the look with a wide belt, platform sandals or sneakers, and glossy lips.

2. Denim on denim 

Channel Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake's matching outfits at the 2001 American Music Awards with a fun denim-on-denim look. 

Combine a classic pair of boot-cut jeans with a fitted denim jacket in contrasting washes. For example, choose dark-wash jeans and a light-wash jacket, or vice versa. Add fun accessories like a puka shell necklace, denim cowboy hat, or silver chain belt. 

This combo is perfect with several types of purses, like a shoulder bag or clutch. Low-heeled mules or ankle boots complete this outfit.

3. Bohemian chic

The boho trend involves layering and mixing fabrics with different textures. 

Pull it off by wearing a ruffled maxi dress in a neutral or floral print with a statement belt and studded boots. You can also try this style out with a lace miniskirt, an off-the-shoulder top, and a fringed jacket. 

Add a cropped crochet cardigan and accessories like a wide-brimmed hat and bangles. To amp up the Y2K elements, throw on rimless sunglasses and platform flip-flops. 

Mid-2000s style

4. Sporty tracksuit 

Paris Hilton made velour tracksuits a staple trend in the mid-2000s. Recreate this look by thrifting a preloved Juicy Couture sweatsuit with a matching zip-up hoodie and wide-leg pants. 

Reach for pink, baby blue, yellow, and orange colors, and wear the set with classic UGG boots. Finish the outfit with a metallic or glossy bag from a brand like Prada. 

5. Mini dress over skinny jeans 

Dresses over jeans is a distinctive Y2K trend you either love or hate. Starlets like Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus popularized this style.

Bring this look into your rotation by layering a mini dress over skinny jeans. A dark wash works best, so the dress is the outfit's focal point. Add ballet flats (another quintessential 2000s trend) and a thin necklace. 

If your closet doesn't have many party dresses, swap in a tank top and tennis skirt instead. 

6. Cargo pants and a tube top 

Cargo pants are another Y2K essential that's back with a vengeance in the fashion world. 

Take advantage of this comfortable trend by wearing relaxed-fit cargo pants in a neutral shade, like olive or beige. 

Pair them with a fitted tube top, lightweight bomber jacket, and flat ankle boots—Kim Possible style. If it's warm outside, swap the pants for cargo capris.

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7. Skater boi 

Skater-inspired outfits were all the rage after Avril Lavigne's "Skater Boi" became a smash hit in 2002. 

To build your own skater outfit, start with a pleated mini skirt and an oversized graphic tee or long-sleeved top. Tie a flannel shirt around your waist, and add a pair of black-and-white striped tube socks and wide sneakers.

Complete this simple look with a beanie or baseball cap. To emulate Avril's style at the time, wear this outfit with a loose, skinny tie.

Late 2000s style

8. Babydoll dress 

A babydoll dress is a must for any Y2K-inspired wardrobe. This Rihanna-inspired look is powerful and romantic, and you can go bold or subdued with your color choice. 

Select a dress with details like lace, tulle, or ruffles, and balance out the silhouette with simple pumps and a structured handbag. 

Fingerless lace gloves, body glitter, and a fun updo take this outfit to the next level.

9. Polo and denim skirt 

Polo shirts and denim skirts are two Y2K relics we just can't part with. 

Choose a pastel or neon polo, and pop the collar if you dare. Wear it with a denim skirt in your favorite length—micro, mini, midi, or maxi—and add ballet flats and a few butterfly hair clips.

This perfectly captures the preppy style of the late 2000s. If you don't like wearing collared shirts, try swapping them for graphic T-shirts instead. 

10. Layered with a skinny scarf 

Skinny scarves were the go-to layering accessory in the 2000s. To build a look with one, start by layering an open button-down shirt over a fitted cami. Knot a graphic or lightweight skinny scarf loosely around your neck, or just let it hang. 

Pair these garments with low-rise jeans and open-toe wedges. Skinny scarves also pair well with oversized blazers, corset tops, and pleated midi skirts. 

11. Statement belt and low-rise jeans 

Y2K fashion's ultimate "it" look was a wide belt worn over low-rise jeans. These belts were everywhere in the 2000s, and you could buy them in multiple styles, including glitter and studded. 

To try this trend for yourself, choose a statement belt with a large buckle and wear it slung over your jeans. Or, grab a loose shirt or dress and use the belt to cinch your waist. Add a small shoulder purse, and you're all set. 

12. Tank top and maxi skirt 

‍Maxi skirts made several outfit appearances in the late 2000s. For a casual take on the trend, pair a maxi skirt with a loose tank top, sneakers, and a mini backpack. 

To up the Y2K ante, add a chain belt, choker necklace, and rectangle sunglasses. 

Sustainably thrift clothing from the 2000s on ThredUp 

Thanks to social media, 2000s fashion is once again in the spotlight. But jumping on the Y2K fashion bandwagon doesn't have to mean compromising on sustainability. One of the best ways to capture these looks is by browsing secondhand stores, many of which are filled with Von Dutch hats, low-rise jeans, and oversized belts.

Online thrift stores like ThredUp are the best places to buy items inspired by this era. With our extensive collection of over 55,000 brands, you're sure to find preloved garments that fit your budget. And if you need outfit inspiration, use our Style Chat feature for real-time fashion advice. 

Shopping sustainably is a win-win: You get to relive the aesthetic that defined a decade while being friendly to the planet. Browse ThredUp today to curate your own Y2K-inspired closet.

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