12 Forgotten Fads from the Early 2000s Everyone Tried
A nostalgic trip back to the early 2000s, where Heelys ruled the sidewalks, Juicy Couture tracksuits were peak fashion, and everyone had a blinged-out flip phone charm—until these fads vanished as quickly as they came.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
The early 2000s were a crazy combination of questionable style, odd gadgets, and fleeting obsessions that everyone swore by—until they vanished overnight. From Heelys and Juicy Couture velour tracksuits to blinged-out flip phones and DDR showdowns, these trends characterized an era of excess, fun, and pop culture mayhem. Whereas some have attempted nostalgic returns, the majority are still laughable reminders of a time when trucker hats were popular, Crazy Frog filled every TV advert, and frosted lip gloss was the epitome of attractiveness.
1. Heelys (Wheeled Shoes)
Image from Ubuy Philippines
Sneakers featuring retractable wheels have had children cruising through malls, corridors, and sometimes directly into walls. Many schools and department stores banned them due to concerns about safety, but that failed to dampen the frenzy. Walking was so yesterday, at least for a little while.
2. LiveStrong Bracelets
Image from Shopee Philippines
The yellow silicone bracelets went viral after Lance Armstrong’s organization released them in 2004 for cancer research. In no time, every wrist was adorned with knockoffs of the bracelet for different reasons, such as “WWJD” and “Anti-Drug” messages. Once Armstrong’s scandal broke, the now-iconic bracelet became a ghost of the past.
3. Juicy Couture Velour Tracksuits
Image from eBay.ph
Juicy Couture’s soft, brightly colored jumpsuits were the height of luxury in the 2000s, particularly if “JUICY” were emblazoned on the butt. J.Lo and Paris Hilton wore them as a standard part of their wardrobe, generating a knockoff craze. The trend was eventually over, but nostalgia intervened in limited returns.
4. Crazy Frog Ringtones
Image from Heroes Wiki - Fandom
That ear-piercing CGI frog wearing a racing helmet and a grating “ding ding” sound was ubiquitous for a while. Born from a Swedish ringtone firm, it went international with a weirdly hit remix of Axel F. The fad wore off fast, but not before it ruled phone speakers everywhere.
5. Truckers Hats (Thanks to Von Dutch)
Image from Ubuy Philippines
Ashton Kutcher and early-2000s reality television gave these mesh-backed hats their moment of coolness. The Von Dutch brand was the most coveted, with its iconic logo and retro aesthetic to die for. When the trend became overblown, it became a fashion joke instead of a statement.
6. iPod Socks
Image from Wikipedia
Apple retailed minuscule, brightly colored knit socks to “protect” your iPod; for some reason, they were a status symbol. They weren’t very practical but were part of the early 2000s trend of individualizing gadgets. When iPods became smaller and more streamlined, the necessity for them disappeared.
7. Frosted Lip Gloss (The Shinier, the Better)
Image from Etsy
Lips in the early 2000s looked like they had been dipped in liquid chrome. Brands like Lip Smackers and MAC made glossy, pearlescent shades the ultimate beauty trend. The look was impractical (hair constantly stuck to lips), but that didn’t stop everyone from piling it on.
8. Puka Shell Necklaces
Image from eBay.ph
Beachy, white-shell necklaces were the default accessory for dudes and dudettes attempting to achieve a surfer vibe—even if they’d never laid eyes on the ocean. Skater kids and boy band members were particularly fond of them, and they were usually worn with spiky hair and board shorts. Later, they were usurped by more edgy accessories like leather cuffs and beaded bracelets.
9. Razor Scooters (And the Bruised Ankles That Came With Them)
Image from Galleon.PH
These collapsible metal scooters were the fastest means of travel—until the one you swang back clocked you on the ankle. Children did tricks, rode along sidewalks, and decorated their rides with stickers and wheel lights. Although they never really went out of style, their height in popularity was surely in the early 2000s.
10. Blinged-Out Phone Charms
Image from Amazon.com
Before smartphones, flip phones were adorned with swinging charms—crystals, cartoon characters, and even small plush animals. Others flashed lights or beeped when the phone was called, providing a little extra pizzazz to texting in class under the desk. They went out of fashion as slim, touchscreen phones became the norm, leaving no space for accessorizing.
11. Ed Hardy Everything
Image from Ebay PH
Ed Hardy’s tattoo-print apparel was previously the epitome of status, adorned by celebrities and clubbers. His rhinestone-encrusted tees, trucker hats, and even rhinestone-trimmed jeans shouted “costly but tacky.” The fad fizzled when it became too ubiquitous, placing it on the fashion timeline as a warning.
12. Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) Fever
Image from Konami
Living rooms and arcades became dance battles as DDR dominated the early 2000s. The pulsing techno rhythms and flashing arrows got players stomping on plastic mats, frantically trying to keep up. Though rhythm games persist, the DDR phenomenon eventually lost to other gaming fads such as Guitar Hero and Just Dance.