12 Fashion Trends from the 2000s That Are Too Embarrassing to Remember
It's a throwback to the bold, bizarre, and downright questionable fashion choices that ruled the 2000s.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
The 2000s gave us some unforgettable fashion moments, but not always for the right reasons. From ultra-low-rise jeans to bizarrely oversized belts, these trends might make you wonder what we were all thinking. Whether it was the excessive layering or the bedazzled everything, some styles are better left in the past. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and relive the fashion crimes of the Y2K era.
1. Ultra Low-Rise Jeans
Photo from www.lukeisback.com on Wikimedia Commons
The lower, the better—at least, that is what we thought back then. These jeans left little to the imagination and required constant adjusting. Looking back, they were more of a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen.
2. Layered Tank Tops Over Long-Sleeve Shirts
sunshinedw on Wikimedia Commons
Wearing a cami over a long-sleeve top was the peak of cool in the 2000s. This layering trend often combined clashing colors and odd textures. Somehow, the more mismatched, the better.
3. Chunky Wide Belts Over Everything
Alanna_Kolette,_Miss_HIN_2009_midriff.jpg: Mark Sebastian on Wikimedia Commons
No outfit was complete without a massive belt cinching it all together. Worn over dresses, tunics, and even hoodies, these belts served no real purpose other than looking dramatically unnecessary.
4. Velour Tracksuits
KoolShooters on Pexels
Nothing screamed 2000s more than a matching velour tracksuit. Juicy Couture ruled this trend, making sure everyone looked cozy yet oddly flashy at the same time.
5. Dresses Over Jeans
Godisable Jacob on Pexels
This trend took layering to the extreme by pairing flowy dresses with bootcut denim. Looking back, it was hard to tell whether this was meant to be stylish or just a last-minute fashion crisis.
6. Newsboy Caps
Lance Reis on Pexels
This hat was the go-to accessory for pop stars and trendsetters. Paired with oversized sunglasses, it was an attempt at effortless cool—but it ended up looking like a costume piece.
7. Bedazzled Everything
Melike B on Pexels
If it was not covered in rhinestones, was it even fashionable? From phone cases to jeans and even sunglasses, excessive sparkle was everywhere.
8. Ed Hardy and Affliction Tees
Osbram Medina on Wikimedia Commons
These graphic tees were all about flashy designs and tattoo-inspired prints. While they were once considered the height of cool, they quickly became fashion’s biggest regret.
9. Skinny Scarves
cottonbro studio on Pexels
These scarves were long and thin but did absolutely nothing to keep anyone warm. More of a decorative afterthought than an actual accessory, they added drama with no real function.
10. Shutter Shades
Dtwilkerson on Wikimedia Commons
These sunglasses were wildly impractical since they barely blocked the sun. Despite that, they became a must-have for partygoers and music video extras.
11. Ballet Flats with Everything
Ozan Çulha on Pexels
Whether paired with jeans, skirts, or even formal outfits, ballet flats were everywhere. They seemed like a comfortable choice, but their lack of support made them a nightmare to wear all day.
12. Oversized Sunglasses
Alireza Heidarpour on Pexels
The bigger, the better—that was the rule when it came to sunglasses in the 2000s. While they were meant to look glamorous, most just made people look like they were hiding from the paparazzi.