"I feel so lucky to have grown up during the late ’90s and early 2000s. Fashion was so fun and free, full of self-expression. It was an anything goes kind of era. Skirts were mini, belts were big, and velour tracksuits were a staple. Limited Too and Claire’s were every preteen’s favorite stores, filled with trendy items that emulated clothes our favorite celebrities wore.
Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen were at the forefront of my style inspiration. I spent countless hours clipping photos from magazines and creating a mood board each year before school (which would now be comparable to Pinterest). I’d then go shopping and try to recreate some of my favorite looks that I had clipped.
Looking back on trends from the late ’90s and early 2000s, you’ll notice red carpets were full of fun and eclectic looks, and it’s a breath of fresh air to see those fun styles coming full circle. Here’s why I’m embracing that the trends of my youth are back, rather than trying to resist it.
The nostalgia
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It’s so nostalgic wearing trends now at 29 that I wore as a young tween and early teen. I’m entering my 30s excited about the future of fashion, and get to style looks that I wore while growing up. I love mixing and matching old and new styles and gathering inspiration from the younger generation. There is something so liberating about seeing two generations come together over similar fashion interests. Instead of being competitive, the fashion space is becoming more and more collaborative every day, with people of all ages getting their style inspiration from one generation to the other.
The trends also come with a familiarity that feel good. Have you ever heard that fashion tends to run in 20- 30-year cycles? As I enter a new chapter in my life, it’s comforting having familiar trends cycle through once again.
The sustainability
It’s so important to shop and dress sustainable to better our environment and our planet’s health. I’ve found Juicy Couture sweatsuits in my closet that I didn’t even remember I had from 12 years ago, and rather than going out and buying a new one (yes, they’re in again), I’ve been rocking the vintage style. Additionally, you can find so many amazing pieces in thrift stores that are actually from the late ’90s early 2000s rather than buying something new—something that I love doing with my current wardrobe.
The trends I’ve been loving
There are countless ’90s and early 2000s trends that are back right now, but I’ve found myself especially reaching for these as of late:
- Oversized shackets
- Pops of pink
- Velvet
- Baggy denim
- Mini bags
- Mini skirts
My biggest advice to those in their 20s is to keep your favorite fashion pieces even if you think they aren’t in style anymore. What goes around comes around, and one day you’ll be so thankful you saved items from your childhood.