BY KAREN AGUIAR
(all pictures in this article are from Pinterest)
Nowadays, everyone seems to talk about aesthetics. There are so many that one often forget to keep track of. Here’s something that can give you insight into what the y2k aesthetic is all about.
1) WHAT IS THE Y2K AESTHETIC ALL ABOUT?
An ode to the 2000s, this aesthetic is all about bling, bright colours and channelling your inner ‘Regina George’ from Mean Girls. It mainly consists of sparkly tank tops, camisoles, fluffy sweaters, flare pants, dino sandals and everything that reminds you of the iconic 2000s. It always had its lovers but its popularity has reached skyrocketing levels especially during quarantine, where everyone wanted to figure out their aesthetic.
2) WHEN DID IT EMERGE?
It is safe to say that this aesthetic emerged during the early 2000s cyberpunk era with the dawn of the internet. This was a getaway for non-conformists of the conservative styles of older days. Mainly considered the ‘rebel’ aesthetic along with punk and hippie aesthetics, y2k was surely meant to stand out.
It faded out by the 2010s but is making its fiery comeback with a humongous number of teens interested in it.
3) WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
We need to understand that y2k isn’t just an aesthetic, it’s a lifestyle. It means that your day to day clothes, party wear, pyjamas, all have a whiff and hint of y2k in them. You can wear anything that is bright and bold in colour, which makes a statement and stands out. Animal prints are an important aspect too. Chunky footwear is the statement piece of this aesthetic. For jewellery, you can top it off with cow rings, frog rings and quirky stuff.
4)WHO PROPAGATED IT THEN AND NOW?
Mostly made popular by young bands like NSYNC, THE CHEETAH GIRLS, SPICE GIRLS, we now see this aesthetic all over Instagram reels and Tiktok. Just search the tag #y2k and you’ll get loads of influencers and fashion bloggers talking about it. It makes understanding it very simple.
5) HOW DO I BUY Y2K FASHION?
Sadly, there are no big chain stores solely dedicated to this aesthetic in India. You might find a few pieces here and there at H&M, Forever 21 and Urbanic. However I would like to point out that these mass retailers are harming the environment and profiting off by exploiting their workers. Buying 2-3 pieces is fine, but if you want your whole wardrobe y2k style, there are better options.
a) THRIFT STORES
Pre-loved items are in trend today. Along with finding good pieces at affordable pricing, you also help reduce the wastage of clothes and financially help the seller. Here are some below.
https://www.instagram.com/mumbaithrifts/
https://www.instagram.com/thrift_india/
b) SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTS
There are Indian businesses dedicated to selling y2k clothes on Instagram. However one of the cons is you might not be able to afford it if you’re on a tight budget under 1000 rupees. Here are some below.
https://www.instagram.com/wonderbyjhalak/
https://www.etsy.com/in-en/market/y2k_clothing
c) STITCHING IT YOURSELF
Now I know that this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you do have the time and skill, you can easily create your own customised clothes. Youtube videos can help along with DIY Blogs. This gives you the most creative freedom.
5) IS Y2K FASHION SUITABLE FOR ME?
Now you must be thinking that achieving this is a big task. It is really not. This is suitable for everyone and anyone. You can just experiment or make it your lifestyle. You can also combine it with another aesthetic such as Streetwear or Soft Girl. There are a lot of ways you can go about it. So, let go of your apprehensions, and experiment away!
