Revisiting Y2K

From oversized tees to baguette bags, how fashion from the millennium era is taking over Gen Z wardrobe yet again

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BUTTERFLY CLIPS. BABY tees. Rhinestones. Low-rise everything. If you blinked in the early 2000s, you might have missed them, but not anymore. Yes, Y2K fashion is back—from Instagram feeds to red carpet looks, the aesthetics of the millennium era have stormed back into the cultural mainstream.

What began as a niche trend in thrift circles has exploded into a global fashion revival, powered by Gen Z’s love for nostalgia and a digital aesthetic that mirrors the hyper-gloss of the early internet age. “There’s a strange comfort in revisiting Y2K. It reminds me of a time when the future felt fun,” says Delhi-based Aditee Bahadur, a social media enthusiast, adding: “It’s escapism with glitter.”

Love for nostalgia

Y2K refers to a style movement inspired by the late 1990s and early 2000s and characterised by a blend of futuristic and playful aesthetics with bold, vibrant colours and textures. There’s streetwear, gender fluidity, and a bit of digital maximalism in every aspect.

High fashion international labels like Blumarine, Diesel, and Fiorucci are dusting off their archives, revamping Y2K looks for the runway. Even legacy brands like Balenciaga and Miu Miu’s Spring 2024 collection, for example, had cyber-glam elements.

“Y2K fashion has made a comeback with Gen Z’s love for nostalgia and self-expression. The early 2000s were bold and playful, a mood that resonates today,” says Prabhkiran Singh, founder of Bewakoof, a brand that offers quirky designs and stylish casual wear.