Everywhere you look, the early 2000s are back. Low rise jeans, butterfly clips, chunky jewelry, and even flip phones are making a comeback. But why are we obsessing over the past? It is just the cute aesthetic, or could it be something else?
The y2k revival reflects more than just a trend, it’s our generation’s plea for a simpler time. Back then, your social status wasn’t determined by how many followers you had- it was who had a cute MySpace layout or who burned the best CD mix. We just want to escape the pressures of the present.
“I love the y2k era because their style was immaculate and they didn’t have to worry about things that we do today,” sophomore Ellanor Layton said. “They just were able to have fun and be themselves without worrying about it. I think people wish for that time to come back.”
Don’t get me wrong, aesthetics are definitely part of it. Those baby tees and mini skirts should have never gone out of style. Luckily, some things never did. Uggs, cargo pants, and denim have lasted through the previous decade, and till this day.
Some of the best shows and movies were made in the 2000s. The Harry Potter franchise and movies like Mean Girls and Legally Blonde still have huge followings. Shows like Gilmore Girls and Hannah Montana are also popular.
Even some of the decade’s music has resurfaced. Artists like Paramore, Avril Lavigne, and Coldplay have become popular among our generation. Songs like Mr. Brightside, Hey There Delilah, and Drops of Jupiter are also coming back onto the charts.
Some of today’s singers got their start from that era. Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Beyoncé for instance.
And to the big one, online aesthetics are very 2000s inspired these days. There are thousands of makeup tutorials, outfit inspiration, and hair ideas on platforms like Pinterest or Instagram.
So, the 2000s wasn’t just a carefree era of life, it was an era that brought us trends and icons that we strive to be.