Getty Images / Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Trends are fleeting, so that the general Y2K obsession has lasted as long as it has is quite a feat. Trends are also circular, though, so it only figures that Y2K's successor would be another distinct era in fashion.
Suddenly, it's the 1970s once again. Well, at least, there are enough '70s vibes in the air that folks have already begun sounding Y2K's death knell.
There's no reason that multiple decades can't simultaneously exist in fashion, obviously, but there is typically a prevailing theme and it does feel like the '70s is better poised than any other era to take center stage.
Literally, even: at the 2024 Grammys, Miley Cyrus performed in vintage Bob Mackie with hair piled high, hitting two '70s cues simultaneously.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this YouTube video.
A few days prior, at Marc Jacobs' Spring/Summer 2024 presentation, similarly huge hairdos maximized otherwise shrunken models clad in blown-up doll clothes of a decidedly retro flavor. We're talking tartan overcoats and broad-shouldered leather blazers, for crying out loud.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.
Leading up to a proper '70s revival, we've tracked rising demand for shoes popular in the '70s; trending silhouettes from adidas alone include the Country sneaker, the SL72 sneaker, and the Samba sneaker, born in '49 but most beloved in the '70s.
Elsewhere, current interest in retro style is epitomized by Pharrell's recent wardrobe: big sunglasses and flared denim jeans occasionally layered beneath a fur coat.
The SS24 collections were similarly packed with psychedelic color, washed-out denim, and snug knitwear, collectively reiterating an unmistakable note of '70s flavor.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
Now, just because things are starting to feel trippy in a hippy kinda way doesn't mean that Y2K is necessarily going anywhere.
Like I said earlier, the vastness of available clothing means that all eras can effectively exist and be referenced at the same time.
Plus, part of Y2K's ample appeal came from how Gen Z developed nostalgia for an era it barely remembered, if at all. Gen Z and Alpha certainly doesn't possess any fond memories of the '70s.
Y2K also persisted because it was fluid. There was no singular meaning and it could be applied to retro-kitsch tech, previously stigmatized Ed Hardy tops, or Matrixcore sunglasses as the wearer saw fit.
Nostalgia was in the eye of the beholder, here.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
The '70s flavoring is a bit more specific, typically tied to identifiable cues like sneaker shapes and clothing silhouettes.
But that still means that the '70s inspiration could inform a series of standalone garments rather than an all-encompassing movement. Similarly, we might witness the '70s comeback relegated to standout red carpet looks, as stylists begin reaching back to the Halston era.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
Like, Y2K T-shirts and hoodies ostensibly could co-exist with teased-up hair and '70s kitten heels. So Y2K doesn't have to die for the '70s to thrive but it must make room.
Shop our favorite products
FAQs
The free-spirited vibe of the 70s is back, blazing just the same pattern 2024 fashion trends are trying to repeat. The tides of fashion swing back to its retro past, but with a modern flair. Liquids gowns, florals, and bell-bottoms are taking over the world with a modern twist.
Are the 70's back in style? ›
Printed shirts, large pants and extravagant outfits: 70's men's fashion is back and more relevant than ever. This season 70s-inspired prints are a fast favorite thanks to their adventurous spirit and fashionable flare.
What does Y2K stand for in fashion? ›
Overview of Y2K Fashion. Y2K fashion, short for "Year 2000," refers to the style and trends that were popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
What does Y2K vibes mean? ›
The name "Y2K" referring to the year 2000 with fashion that provides nostalgic notes from late 90s to early 00s pop culture - think Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera in their maximalist silhouettes.
Are the 80s coming back in 2024? ›
Not only are these styles relevant for 2024, but their duality of style and function means they're perfect for breaking a sweat in.
What decade is coming back in 2024? ›
It is the 80's Turn. It's a new year, Warriors, and that means it's time for some new looks.
Is Y2K still trending in 2024? ›
Why is Y2K fashion making a comeback in 2024? The resurgence of Y2K fashion in 2024 is driven by a mix of nostalgia, sustainability, and the influence of social media.
Are the 80s coming back in style? ›
While Y2K and '90s fashion have been big in recent years, '80s looks are also making a comeback — particularly for 2023. This year already feels bolder than in years past with bright geometric patterns, dance-inspired looks, and more of those oversized blazers (with or without shoulder pads).
Is 90s style back? ›
Gen-Z's obsession with the decades before digital has revitalized 90s fashion. For the nostalgia-infused, younger generation discovering the household brands of yore has the potential to revive an aging brand straight into the 21st century.
How to dress like a Y2K girl? ›
Y2K Fashion Outfits: Nail the Aesthetic & Trends
- Baby Tees.
- Ed Hardy.
- Y2K Denim. Low-rise Jeans. Baggy Jeans. Skinny Jeans. Wide-leg Denim Jeans.
- Knee-high Boots.
- Bomber Jackets.
- Platform Heels.
- Cargo Pants.
- Shiny Materials.
Originating from the late 90s and early 2000s, this style was all about optimism, embracing technology, and standing out. Today, the Y2K look is making a major comeback.
What year is Y2K? ›
The flaw, faced by computer programmers and users all over the world on January 1, 2000, is also known as the "millennium bug." (The letter K, which stands for kilo (a unit of 1000), is commonly used to represent the number 1,000. So, Y2K stands for Year 2000.) Many skeptics believe it was barely a problem at all.
What is the dress code for Y2K? ›
The Y2K look actually spans from the late 90s to the mid-2000s and was typified by scarf tops, boot cut jeans, velour tracksuits, pastels, metallics, cowl necks, pedal pushers (aka capri pants) and showy accessories, from furry bucket hats and trucker caps to bowling bags and butterfly clips.
What is Y2K style today? ›
The term rose to new popularity in 2020 when users on TikTok and Instagram began popularizing nostalgic early 2000s fashion styles as “Y2K.” Now, it has inspired a widespread revival in early 2000s staples such as velour tracksuits, ballet flats, tiny shoulder bags, crop tops, bedazzled shirts, denim and baggy jeans — ...
What does Y2K mean in slang? ›
Y2K stands for “The year 2000.” When you see this slang term online, it might refer to the Y2K bug at the end of 1999, the fashion trends of the late 90s and early 2000s, or the popular Y2K aesthetic on TikTok.
Is 90s style coming back in 2024? ›
It's been over 30 years since the '90s first started (!!), and everything from the era is starting to feel brand-new again. All the looks you loved back then—or covet now while binge-watching old sitcoms—are officially back and more stylish than ever.
Are the 50s coming back? ›
Out of all the decades, there's a reason the 1950s are coming back around. Personal stylist, Andie Sobrato, for instance, suspects it's because of how the time period epitomized glamor. "Women embraced femininity and dressed up for the most casual of occasions [during the 1950s]," Sobrato tells InStyle.
What years are included in the 1970s? ›
The 1970s (pronounced "nineteen-seventies"; commonly shortened to the "Seventies" or the "'70s") was a decade that began on January 1, 1970, and ended on December 31, 1979.
