How to Get That Y2K Fashion Aesthetic (Which Styles to Look for and Where to Shop)

If you’re into fashion trends, you’re probably asking — what is Y2K fashion? How do I get that Y2K fashion aesthetic? And you’ve probably been searching for Y2K looks on Pinterest.

I, for one, am thrilled that the Y2K or late 90s and early 2000s fashion trend is back. I was in my teens back then and it was a fabulous time for baggy, wide legged pants paired with tight, cropped shirts which we used to call “baby tee”.

Y2K Fashion Aesthetic Baby Tee — Image from vogue.com. Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber in baby tees.

To be quite honest, I never got out of this trend. I truly love it! Read on to find out more about the Y2K fashion aesthetic and how to achieve those Y2K looks that your favorite celebrities and influencers are donning. I’ll also share shops, websites and brands where you can snap up some items for Y2K looks that would make Paris Hilton go — “that’s hot”.

Tops: Baby Tees

You can’t do Y2K without the iconic baby tee. This tight fitting, cropped shirt with cute graphic and sometimes news worthy statement designs was all the rage back in the early 2000s. And now it’s making a come back!

Image from vogue.co.uk. Britney Spears and Paris Hilton in Y2K fashion baby tees.

Don’t worry, you don’t need that big celebrity wardrobe budget to get your hands on these baby tees. Check out these cute and affordable ones from Amazon and Etsy!

Y2K fashion aesthetic cherry bomb baby tee from Etsy — Cute cherry bomb Y2K baby tee from etsy.com.

Angel Y2K fashion aesthetic baby tee from Etsy — Cute angel Y2K baby tee from amazon.com.

Babygirl Y2K Baby Tee Crop Top from Etsy — Cute babygirl Y2K baby tee from etsy.com.

Tops: Strappy, Lace Up Camis

Another Y2K fashion trend that’s making a come back is the strappy, lace up top. Not for the faint of heart, these tops are ultra sexy. Paired with low rise jeans or skirts, this combo will definitely show off your curves. Check out how Dua Lipa and Saweetie rock this sexy piece to re-create their own Y2K looks.

Image from etonline.com. Dua Lipa in a Y2K fashion inspired outfit.

Saweetie rocking a Y2K fashion inspired outfit — Image from editorialist.com. Saweetie rocking this Y2K fashion inspired outfit.

If you’re now inspired and on the hunt for these sexy tops, Zaful is definitely a great place to start. They have a ton of selections at really affordable prices.

Zaful Ribbed Cutout Cutaway Shoulder Cami Top from zaful.com

Zaful Ribbed Ruched Backless Halter Top from zaful.com

Ditsy Floral Bustier Corset Style Boning Cami Top from Zaful — Ditsy Floral Bustier Corset Style Boning Cami Top from zaful.com

Bottoms: Low Rise, Wide Legged, Baggy Pants

When it comes to Y2K fashion, the bigger the pants, the better. Low rise jeans were also a thing — the lower, the better. There’s also a case to be made for the more pockets, the better as seen here in Gigi Hadid’s chic ensemble.

Gigi Hadid in Y2K fashion low rise, baggy pants — Image from hollywoodlife.com. Gigi Hadid in low rise, baggy pants paired with a cropped top.

Hop on to Levi’s website to snag your own pair of baggy jeans. They even have selections for plus size women!

Plus Size Baggy Dad Women's Jeans from Levi's to get that Y2K fashion aesthetic — Plus Size Baggy Dad Women’s Jeans from levi.com.

XL Flood Women's Jeans from Levi's to get that Y2K fashion aesthetic — XL Flood Women’s Jeans from levi.com

Bottoms: Flared Pants

Now if you’re not into baggy pants but still want to achieve that Y2K fashion aesthetic, then you can opt for flared jeans or pants! This, too, was a style that dominated the late 90s and early 2000s. Here are fashion icons, JLo and Anne Hathaway, looking so chic and fab in their low rise, flared jeans.

Jennifer Lopez in Y2K fashion flared jeans — Image from whowhatwear.com. Jennifer Lopez looking hot (as usual) in flared jeans back in 2001.

Anne Hathaway in Y2K fashion flared jeans — Image from whowhatwear.com. Anne Hathaway in flared jeans back in 2004 during her Princess Diaries days.

Itching to get your hands on your own pair of flared jeans? Worry not! Abercrombie & Fitch has got you. They do flared jeans really well with a bit of an update to suit high rise jeans lovers. Just check out some of their styles below.

Ultra High Rise Flare Jean from Abercrombie & Fitch — Ultra High Rise Flare Jean from abercrombie.com.

Curve Love Ultra High Rise Flare Jean from Abercrombie & Fitch — Curve Love Ultra High Rise Flare Jean from abercrombie.com

Shoes: Chunky, Platform Heels

Now if there’s one Y2K fashion trend that I’m extra excited about, that would be the chunky, platform heels. I can never forget the first time I saw the Spice Girls stomping around in their uber cool platform sneakers on their hugely popular Pepsi commercial.

Platforms are back. From Beyonce to Zendaya to Charli D’Amelio, this style has been given a fresh new look and feel.

Beyonce in Y2K fashion platform heels — Image from instyle.com. Beyonce in hot pink platform heels.

Zendaya in Y2K fashion flared pants and platform heels — Image from instyle.com. Zendaya looking so fabulous (as usual) in hot pink flared pants and platform heels.

Charli D'Amelion in Y2K fashion platform sneakers — Image from instyle.com. Charli D’Amelio in platform sneakers, reminiscent of the Spice Girls era.

A lot of brands are carrying these platform heels right now. I love how Charles and Keith modernized the platform heels with sleek designs in bold colors while staying true to the Y2K fashion aesthetic. They even have designs made from recycled materials!

Recycled Polyester Platform Sandals from Charles and Keith — Recycled Polyester Platform Sandals from charleskeith.com

Y2K inspired Lula Patent Loafer Pumps from Charles and Keith — Lula Patent Loafer Pumps from charleskeith.com

Now for sneakers, I was pleasantly surprised with Adidas’ platform collection. Being able to get their classic designs in platforms is just the greatest idea ever.

Stan Smith Bonega Shoes from Adidas — Stan Smith Bonega Shoes from adidas.com

Bags: Baguette Style Bags

If you haven’t heard about baguette style bags, these are basically small shoulder bags that fit right under your armpit. This style was so popular back in the early 2000s and it’s definitely back on the “it” list right now.

Of course, the most popular and original baguette bag would be the Fendi Baguette. Here’s Carrie Bradshaw (the main character of the Y2K classic series, Sex and the City) played by Sarah Jessica Parker with a Fendi Baguette in the original series and in the reboot.

Carrie Bradshaw played by Sarah Jessica Parker with a Fendi Baguette bag — Image from elle.com. Sarah Jessica Parker with a Fendi Baguette bag back in 2000.

Carrie Bradshaw with a Fendi Baguette bag in And Just Like That — Image from elle.com. Carrie Bradshaw carries a Fendi Baguette bag in the Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That.

Now for most of us, buying an original Fendi Baguette might cost us an arm and a leg. Thankfully, there’s TheRealReal, where you can buy authentic pre-loved luxury items. TheRealReal has hundreds of experts who evaluate thousands of luxury items daily, making it the world’s largest and most trusted resource for authenticated luxury resale.

Fendi FF Vertigo 1974 Medium Baguette from therealreal.com

Fendi Suede Mini Baguette from therealreal.com

Now of course you don’t have to buy an authentic Fendi Baguette to complete your Y2K look. There are a ton of similar and affordable styles in Etsy and Amazon to choose from.

Leather Baguette Bag in multiple colors from etsy.com

DOREAMALOE Shoulder Bag from Amazon — DOREAMALOE Shoulder Bag from amazon.com

Fossil Women's Jolie Leather Baguette Shoulder Bag from Amazon — Fossil Women’s Jolie Leather Baguette Shoulder Bag from amazon.com

The Y2K fashion aesthetic is definitely back. It’s yet another exciting and fun time for fashion. We hope this article helped inspire you to create your own Y2K looks. Get creative and have fun!