FASHION
FROM LOW-RISE JEANS TO JUICY COUTURE: HERE’S WHY WE’RE STILL OBSESSING OVER Y2K STYLE
By Jazmin Duribe, 12 January 2026
We all love nostalgia. How many times have you been on a night out and queued your favourite noughties track on the playlist? Or rewatched Mean Girls? For millennials, the Y2K revival is all about revisiting memories; for Gen Z, it’s more about exploration and experimental style. Either way, we’re all taking part. From your local high street to your Instagram feed, we’re seeing low-rise jeans (gasp!), velour tracksuits, huge belts, skinny scarves and graphic tees making a comeback in a big way.
WHY IS Y2K FASHION IN STYLE NOW?
It’s the classic trend cycle – one year we’re seeing boxy 80s tailoring, the next it’s all about 90s minimalism. Y2K has been swimming in the style pool for a while now, and especially as there’s more of a focus on vintage shopping and reselling at the moment, Y2K is staying afloat. Not to mention celebrities like Zara Larsson and Addison Rae are basically the poster children for 2000s clothing style right now – Zara’s rebrand since that dolphin meme is quite spectacular, really – her on-stage style is nothing but sequins, butterfly tops and a dreamy colour palette Paris Hilton would approve of.
Picture: Getty
Picture: Getty
If you’re wondering if Y2K fashion works for everyday wear or how to modernise it for 2026, look no further – we’ve broken down five key Y2K clothing pieces and how you can style them into the new year.
KEY PIECES FOR WOMEN'S Y2K OUTFITS:
LOW-RISE JEANS
When the whispers of this Y2K staple being back emerged a couple of years ago, they were not welcome. High-rise till we die! But now? They’ve successfully infiltrated our wardrobes. Even if you’re not completely sold on low rise, chances are you’re wearing mid-rise fits. Once we started seeing them on the likes of Bella Hadid, Addison Rae, Kylie Jenner et al, we just couldn’t resist. And you know what? They’re more comfortable and less restrictive than high-rise jeans. Plus, going low-rise doesn’t mean you have to have your whole midriff out (which is the reason most of us avoided them), just swap those cropped tops for full-length styles.
GET THE LOOK:
Pull&Bear Straight-leg jeans with splits in dark blue, £29.99
Stradivarius D04 low rise flared jeans in medium denim wash, £29.99
NICE TOPS: HALTERNECKS, BUTTERFLY TOPS AND SEQUINS
The pinnacle of women’s Y2K style lies in a piece that remains a staple today: nice tops. The style icons of the noughties were wearing halternecks, butterfly tops, plenty of sequins and slouchy styles – think Destiny’s Child, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears etc. Follow suit with all your Y2K party outfits by pairing your chosen top with jeans (low rise, if you dare) and a platform heel.
GET THE LOOK:
COLLUSION off shoulder drapey top in yellow micro stripe, £24.99
Bershka Faux suede top with studs in brown, £22.99
I.AM.GIA Ellery strappy butterfly pattern open back cami top in black, £55
VELOUR TRACKSUITS
It wouldn’t be right (to you, or Paris Hilton) not to mention velour tracksuits when talking about Y2K outfits. Juicy Couture tracksuits, if you want to be specific. These soft-touch sets were the cornerstone of casual style in the 00s – the more garish, the better. Gone are the days of minimalist loungewear, in 2026 we’ll be opting for the more bedazzled, colourful options on offer. And we’re not limiting them to corner-shop runs either. Catch us in these 24/7, from Sunday strolls to shopping trips and casual lunch dates.
GET THE LOOK:
Juicy Couture velour zip through co-ord in dark olive, from £75
New Era LA Dodgers side stripe velour zip through co-ord in pink, from £61
COLLUSION relaxed velvet zip through co-ord in red, from £27.99
Juicy Couture velour co-ord exclusive to ASOS in leopard print, from £85
ACCESSORIES
What accessories go with Y2K outfits? All of them. Accessories are where Y2K looks come alive. More is always more. Whether you’re adding a chunky belt to your low-rise jeans, pairing your look with a mini baguette bag, choosing a skinny scarf a la Hannah Montana or strapping on your obnoxiously high platforms, accessories are essential to 00s styling.
GET THE LOOK:
Bershka Bowling bag in camel, £25.99
ASOS DESIGN knit skinny scarf in chocolate and light blue stripe, £14
Reclaimed Vintage unisex 90's librarian blue light glasses, £15.99
GRAPHIC T-SHIRTS
Pictures: ASOS
Wherever you get yours, graphic tees are an easy way to tap into Y2K style. If you’re looking for some OG inspo, in the 00s, brands like Von Dutch, Miss Sixty, Juicy Couture (again) and Abercrombie & Fitch were the go-tos. In 2026, as long as it’s cropped and bold – you’re good to go. Style yours with denim (jeans or a mini skirt), an asymmetric skirt or capris for the ultimate Y2K nostalgia. If you want to bring the look into 2026, opt for an oversized fit or team it with tailoring instead.
GET THE LOOK:
adidas Originals Adicolor 90s raglan t-shirt in red, £25
Princess Polly Love Language slogan fitted baby tee in red, £34
