Nostalgic Revival

The iconic Y2K era is back and cooler than ever—butterfly clips, colorful, glittery makeup, and iconic low-rise jeans have been revived with fresh, stylish twists. Dressing Polly Pockets, Bratz dolls, and Barbies introduced young people to the exciting world of fashion, self-expression, and creativity. Today, those aesthetic inspirations are taking over high-fashion runways and everyday streetwear. Two decades later, a wave of nostalgia is a reminder of simple times of glitter and glam.

In a world where fashion could seem too bland and too serious– the brilliance of Y2K fashion lies in playfulness and fun. In the early 2000s, the obsession with shimmery eyeshadow, bright colors, and mix-matching was inspired by toys and media. The same aesthetic inspirations are driving a comeback on the runway. The Versace Spring/Summer 2023 collection displays early 2000s fashion. Slip dresses, low-rise leather skirts, platform heels mixed with goth, and bright monochrome colors were all displayed on the runway. The show concluded with an appearance from Paris Hilton in a sparkling pink mini dress adding a touch of reminiscence. Paris Hilton is an icon of the early 21st century. She is the epitome of pink, party, and sparkle. Shimmery eye shadow, artificial strawberry lip gloss, and plastic heels is a testament of the glamour young girls lived by. The simplicity of being a “girlie girl” is making a return. The return of the 2000s is a testament to playful timelessness.

The innocence and wonder of a time when fun came from toys-- Polly Pocket, Barbie,and Bratz created a feminine foundation in fashion for women. Today’s fashion, hair,and makeup in teenagers mix minimalism, vintage influence, and personal expression, but Y2K nostalgia has revived timeless trends. From halter tops to baby tees, the expression of color is inspired by the 90s and 2000s. Expressing fashion and creativity through dolls has created a pathway for women. Barbies, Bratz, and Polly Pockets have a unique style themselves that have given autonomy and expression to break minimalism. Creativity in fashion could be attributed to many factors, but toys are forgotten yet impactful to women and creatives everywhere. Each doll has their own visions of femininity, but still inspire generations of women to dress in ways that express facets of who they are.

While the spirit of the 2000s style still lingers throughout the runway and streetwear, the deep nostalgia from simpler times shines throughout fashion. As a girl going to the store picking which Barbie, Bratz, or Polly Pocket I liked the best, it provoked me to become more creative and expressive. In a world that has become a fast-paced and digitally driven world, fashion reflects the yearning of colors, textures, and joy through creativity.