The Worst Fashion Trends of the 00s
The 2000s brought society into a new millennium of culture, technological innovation, and…some very questionable fashion choices. Whether you loved or hated them, there’s no denying the trends of the 00s were unlike anything we’d seen before. At the time these outfits may have looked stylish and chic, but nowadays they’ve mostly faded out of existence. From dresses over jeans to Juicy Couture tracksuits, and Uggs to Silly Bandz. Most of these trends haven’t resurfaced, but there are a few that managed to stick around out of pure nostalgia. But were these trends really all that bad? You’ll have to be the judge of that.
Let’s go back to the 00s and reflect on these trends from the past!
57. Barely There Handkerchief Tops
These trendy tops were basically the equivalent of a handkerchief with a string attached to it. We’re not exactly sure if this counts as a shirt, but it was all the rage in the 00s. If you ever wanted to feel like a celebrity or pop-star, these were your ticket. Coming in all different kinds of colors, fabrics, and patterns, these barely-there tops were a big hit.
The craziest part about these shirts was the prices. For a piece of fabric as tiny as these, you’d think they wouldn’t cost as much as they did, but if you ever went shopping in the 00s you’d remember these itsy bitsy things weren’t cheap! Still, you probably blew your allowance on one at some point.
56. The Itty Bitty Micro Mini Skirt
There’s nothing inherently wrong with mini skirts, they’re a basic closet staple that allows you to really show off those legs. but the 00s took it to a totally different level. These micro-minis were absolutely everywhere, from clothing stores to movies, and sometimes even on the red carpet. Nowadays these skirts are a lot less common.
As the years went by we thankfully were given a few additional inches of fabric to these itsy bitsy skirts. We can’t even imagine how awkward and uncomfortable it would be to walk around in one of these without accidentally exposing yourself. Better these awkward skirts stay put in the past, we don’t want anyone to get flashed!
55. We Got a Little Dizzy Looking at this One
We’re just a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of 00s trends in this single look. From the crop top to the hot pink micro-mini skirt, right down to the addition of the out-of-place pinstripe suit jacket. There’s just a little too much going on in this outfit, but what we’re picking out here is the leg warmers.
For some reason, in the 00s we all decided that the only part of the leg that needed warming was our calves. Our thighs and kneecaps were perfectly fine being left out in the cold. Fergie apparently has frigid knees too, as it looks like she added these socks to give her a little extra coverage.
54. The Peak of Bad 00s Fashion in One Photo
Was there anyone more utterly 2000s than Paris and Nicky Hilton? We don’t think so, but these outfits come at a very close second! From the bedazzled logo on their tank tops to their maxi tie-dyed skirts, there isn’t much you could do to these outfits to make them more iconic. And by “iconic” we mean the epitome of weird 00s fashion.
While we grimace at these looks today, they were definitely influential to the 00s fashion world. The only thing that could put these outfits over the edge would be if they slapped a pair of jeans underneath the skirts. We think it might break the internet with bad 00s nostalgia if that were to have happened!
53. The Whale Tale
Low-rise jeans were a big thing in the 2000s, but along with this style came another slightly cruder trend. If your mom caught you leaving the house with an exposed whale tale you can bet she’d be pulling you right back in! Jeans were so low back then that they often exposed our underwear, and for some reason, we decided to show them off!
Patterned and bedazzled thongs were all the rage, especially if you had the straps and “whale tail” sticking out the back. We probably felt pretty hot wearing these, but in reality, we looked like we forgot to put on a belt! This style is pretty far in the past, you might spot it every once in a while, but most of us have moved on.
52. When in Doubt, Slap a Belt on it!
There was no outfit in the 00s that was complete without a belt. The bigger and wider, the better! Every woman wanted to achieve that flawless hourglass silhouette and what better way to do that than by slapping a big ol’ belt onto your outfit? Well, actually, we can probably think of a few more ideas that would be more flattering!
On rare occasions, you might still find belts like these in clothing stores, but they usually have a very long shelf life. This trend is staying put in the 00s where it belongs, and we don’t look forward to it ever making a comeback. There’s no reason to cinch your waist with one of these giant things again!
51. The Biggest Hair Disasters
People did all kinds of strange things with their hair in the 00s, from unflattering two-tone hair to highlights that looked like zebra stripes. But we think the least favorite trend was definitely crimping! Why would anyone want to look as if their hair had just been attacked by a stapler? We definitely went the extra mile to destroy our locks as much as possible.
Believe us when we say this was a BIG thing in the 00s, and it wasn’t just for 13-year-olds like Lizzie Mcguire. Everyone from high school students to celebrities was getting in on hairstyles like these. We hope all those crimping machines are somewhere far away where they can never damage our hair again!
50. The Ultimate Regrettable Decision of the 00s
Having trouble picking out an outfit? Perhaps you can’t decide between your formal cocktail dress and your trusty pair of denim pants. Well, the 00s would have had the perfect solution for you! Dresses short and long were often worn over a pair of wide-legged denim jeans. Was this the worst trend of the decade? We think it might have been.
Any photo you’ll see with this combination will feature a total mismatch of jeans and dress, which almost seemed to be the goal of these outfits! If you ever sported this look, we’re not judging you. We all thought this was a good idea back then, thankfully we now know better. Jeans and dresses are meant to be worn separately.
49. Baring it All, or at Least Trying to!
When 00s fashion looks weren’t focused on layering pieces of poorly matched clothing, it was all about showing as much skin as possible! That meant crop tops that were as teeny as you could get away with, and low-rise jeans to match. Showing that much body meant trying to get in the best shape possible, which sounds utterly exhausting if you ask us.
But the more you could get away with the more stylish it was. While you probably couldn’t sport this look at school, it was all the rage at the mall or parties. Of course, you must not forget to make sure that your crop top had loud 00s colors and prints, it wouldn’t be complete without them!
48. The Dental Floss Mini Scarf
What exactly were these skinny, pencil-thin scarves designed for? They definitely didn’t do any good to keep you warm, and they were often worn regardless of how cold it was outside! But for some reason, we wrapped these tiny things around our necks and felt fashionable, no matter how much they clashed with what we were already wearing.
But there’s no denying that these were a hit fashion accessory of the decade. We’re glad that we’ve all graduated into wearing normal-sized scarves that don’t resemble a string of dental floss draped over our shoulders. We apologize to all those who enjoyed knitting these, you’ll have to pick up a different hobby now! Perhaps it’s time to learn how to make bigger scarves
47. The Boot We Were All Wearing
Now, this opinion might cause a little bit of controversy, as this trend didn’t completely die out at the end of the 00s. Nevertheless, you have to admit that Uggs have fallen far from their peak of popularity, and we’re thinking they’ll never reach the same heights. They might still be warm and comfortable but they’re not the mega-trend they used to be.
Some people complained that this shoe made their foot look like a block. But they can’t deny that these shoes are cozy as heck. We’re guessing there are Ugg haters who secretly sport this footwear around the house. But they’d be more comfortable wearing their nostalgia loud and proud!
46. How Do You Make a Bad 00s Outfit Worse?
The accessories in the 00s were a little out-there, with bold pieces that could’ve only popped up in the new millenium. The fashion trend we want to draw your attention to here is the chunky necklace. These were definitely the summer counterpart to super-thin scarves. When a 00s outfit wasn’t already too over the top adding a multi-colored chunky necklace was the perfect solution.
Or was it the most imperfect solution? You’re going to have to tell us! Whatever it was, stylists from all around were trying to elevate their outfits with these gaudy accessories. It’s one thing to wear a statement piece, it’s another to sport something that distracts from your whole look! So choose your necklaces carefully.
45. A Million Pockets with No Purpose
There are a whole lot of bad 00s fashion trends to point out in this photo. Avril Lavigne certainly was one of the big style icons of her time. But every picture of her taken during the decade is bound to feature an unfortunate trend. In this picture, we have the camouflage cargo pants along with a necktie over a shirt.
Both total symbols of bad 00s fashion. And we haven’t even mentioned the stacks of chunky bracelets! Everywhere you look here there’s a regrettable fashion decision, once considered cool but in retrospect, we see it for what it really is. Avril has adapted her style since the end of the decade, and we couldn’t be happier for her!
44. Asymmetrical Hemlines Everywhere
The new millennium was full of fashion experiments, and one of the most memorable ones involved our hemlines. Why have a boring, straight hem when you can show off something more exciting? From dresses to skirts, these asymmetrical hemlines were all the rage. They gave an exciting and high fashion edge to any outfit we put on. Though nowadays they’re a lot less common…
They sort of remind us of a napkin that’s been pinched in the middle. A cute look for a fancy table setting, less so an elegant outfit. We’re sure some designers can do this trend correctly, but most of the looks we’ve seen give us major 00s vibes.
43. An Outfit or a Bunch of Scarves Tied Together?
Another celebrity who sported some iconic (but terrible) 00s fashion trends is Paris Hilton. This look combines the barely-there top AND skirt. Is it a skirt or is it a collection of scarves all tied together? There’s no way to know for sure but fashion scientists are definitely on the case! You wouldn’t think it but this outfit likely cost thousands of dollars.
That just blows our minds considering how little fabric is used here. Plus, the hemline of this skirt is super confusing and all over the place, which was actually very common during this decade. This look was definitely considered ultra-cool and stylish at the time, but we can’t help but giggle when looking at it today.
42. Uh…Did Your Cardigan Shrink in the Wash?
Ever felt like wearing a cardigan but still felt like showing off the bottom half of your shirt? This mini cardigan would have been your best friend, that is, aside from the fact that it’s a total fashion faux pas. The teensy thing practically distracts from the perfectly good top underneath! And we have to wonder, was it actually purchased in that size, or did it just majorly shrink in the wash?
Honestly, both of those are believable possibilities. That cardigan looks like it could have come straight out of the children’s section, THAT’S how small it is! We think we’re all better off wearing clothes that actually fit us, what do you think?
41. Pencil Thin Eyebrows
Nowadays every girl is trying to get the fullest and thickest eyebrows possible. It’s hard to believe that a couple of decades ago the trend was to pluck them out of existence! In fact, we tweezed our brows so intensely that most of us ended up drawing them on with a thin pencil. You’d have to squint to see them.
As mentioned, we’re all about growing our brows thick these days. And that’s a relief for every girl who has naturally full eyebrows! We can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing the pain of tweezing is far behind us. No more crying from extreme eyebrow waxing or threading.
40. Flat Ironing Our Hair Into Oblivion
The 2000s was a decade of wearing our hair as unnaturally as possible. Whether or not you were an emo teen you probably hit your hair with a flat iron on a daily basis. There was something about having pin-straight hair that was very in, no matter how much it dried out our poor locks. Those with curly hair REALLY understood this struggle!
Along with straightening we also rushed to dye our hair in all sorts of colors; usually jet black or bleached blonde. This didn’t exactly help keep our hair healthy, but we didn’t care about those things back then! Nowadays we’re all about hair health, growth, and the curly girl method. Three cheers for embracing our natural locks!
39. Way Too Much Asymmetry
The 00s had a confusing relationship with asymmetry. There’s nothing wrong with showing a little shoulder, but there was something about asymmetrical fashion during the decade that managed to date itself very quickly. Any 00s off-the-shoulder outfits like this wouldn’t manage to fit in with today’s clothing, that’s for sure.
Not to mention, shirts like these will end up giving the wearer a very unusual tan. You’d end up with a shoulder much darker than the other! Maybe that was a trend in and of itself back in the day? WE can’t positively confirm that, but what we CAN say for sure is that tops like these are nowhere to be found today!
38. Rubber Bracelets for Every Cause in Existence
There’s no way you could have existed in the 00s and not remember the yellow Livestrong bracelets. Eventually, this trend spiraled out of control and we ended up with bracelets of all colors for any cause you could think of. It wasn’t uncommon to see a person wearing more than one of these at a time. You might’ve even spotted some people sporting an entire armful!
Eventually, these bracelets for a cause faded away into obscurity, people most likely continued to support these causes without the unflattering rubber accessory that came along with it. Honestly, people might have been initially “supporting” those causes just for the bracelet alone. Kind of ironic when you really think about it!
37. A Preemptive Strike Against Wardrobe Malfunctions
Let’s ignore the crazy fabric and hair for a moment and just focus on the neckline. This is just taking asymmetry to extreme levels, and not in a good way. Just when you thought 00s fashion couldn’t possibly get more risque, here we are with a look like this. We guess this is one way to make sure you don’t have any wardrobe malfunctions!
You’re preemptively creating a malfunction that’s part of the outfit itself! That could be considered some kind of planning ahead, right? We still think this look would have been better off with a regular neckline, outlandish fabric choice side. But we also know that this kind of look has been retired for two decades so we’ll let it pass.
36. An Excess of Lip Gloss
Flavored, glittery, or scented, lip gloss was the only thing you needed in the 00s. Well maybe not the ONLY thing, but they were definitely essential. And of course, we all needed them in every shade and flavor available. Our bags were practically clacking with the number of plastic tubes we carried around everywhere. But in hindsight, was this the best thing for our lips?
We all remember how annoying it was to get strands of hair stuck on them. At the end of the day lip gloss could be a touch too sticky and gluey, not the most pleasant texture to wear all day. And if you wanted to kiss someone? Forget about it!
35. The Horror of Bedazzling
Yet another pants-related crime that was incredibly common in the 00s. This trend was known as “bedazzling”. Bedazzling wasn’t even exclusive to pants, they were also featured on jackets, vests, and even underwear. Some people even armed themselves with a hot glue gun to DIY bedazzle at home! This was a particularly common style for jeans back then and we’re super glad that they’ve gone out of vogue.
These might have looked sparkly and special at the time, but if you ever owned a pair of these you probably remember the sequins and rhinestones constantly falling off. And if ALL of the bedazzling were to fall off, you’d end up with a regular pair of pants!
34. The Fringe Fails of the 2000s
Paris Hilton is back on this list, and again with a bizarre hemline! Though this time it’s a bit different but still equally as mind-boggling. There’s nothing wrong with a little fringe, but the way it’s incorporated into this dress has us shaking our heads with disapproval. Not blaming the socialite, this kind of thick fringe was all the rage back then!
Fringe had its own moment to shine in the world of terrible 00s fashion, but that’s not to say the trim is totally unforgivable. When done right, fringe can be an awesome way to accent an outfit. But in a look like this one? It absolutely belongs in the bad fashion hall of fame.
33. The Brief Moment of the Fashion Fedora
When there’s too much going on in one photo you know it’s an outfit from the 2000s! Here’s a short-lived member of the decade’s unusual trends; the woman’s fedora. For a long time these were hats that belonged to mysterious men and detectives in black-and-white films. But for a minute we decided they were the perfect accessory for ladies.
That changed after the memes took over, the fashion fedora never stood a chance. But it did have its brief moment in the spotlight and earned its spot in 00s fashion history. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? You’ll have to decide!
32. Achieve the Surfer Dude Look Instantly
Remember those puka shell necklaces every guy you knew seemed to own? Whether they were actual surfer dudes or just wanted to give their outfit a beachy vibe, these necklaces graced the necks of all kinds of guys. From your average beach boy to a boyband heartthrob, this jewelry was the IT thing to wear. But did they look good? Absolutely not!
If you ever wore one of these you might even recall the unpleasant pinching of the shells on your skin. Just take them off, this fashion is not worth the pain. Paired with the red aviators, this Will Ferrel look is definitely a 00s fashion moment. And that’s exactly where this look should stay!
31. Anything Can Be a Shirt if You Try Hard Enough!
It seems like a lot of things passed for shirts back in the 00s! From handkerchiefs to scarves and tube tops to vests. Here we have the prime example of sporting a vest in lieu of a shirt. Of course, bedazzled to a blinding degree and paired with the ever unflattering cropped pants. Most people wouldn’t be caught dead in something like this
If anyone could pull off a look full of outdated 00s trends it’s Rihanna. And we’re not saying she’s NOT pulling it off….exactly. We’re just saying that the pieces of this outfit are likely to stay in the past. We think most of us have moved on from the vest-as-a-shirt trend!
30. Some Major Animal Print Overkill
Animal print was absolutely huge in the 00s. Leopard, zebra, snake, giraffe, you name an animal print and there were plenty of them in stock! Looking back we realize that animal print was used to a definite overkill, especially when it was paired with another clashing print! We get that the wild look was in style but we all took it too far.
This look mixes a very loud leopard print with a faux snakeskin bag. It looks like less of a fashion statement and more like an “I got lost in the jungle for a few months” type of outfit. Animal print can be stylish in moderation, we’re glad this trend has toned itself down in the past twenty years!
29. There Was Only One Correct Way to Wear a Polo Shirt
Polo shirts were considered very fashionable in the 00s, but they weren’t worn the way you might expect. That would be too dull for the new millennium. No, polo shirts HAD to be worn in the loudest colors possible, sometimes layered with shirts with equally loud but never matching colors. It’s as if guys wanted to look like a set of Crayola crayons.
And lest we forget, these were always, ALWAYS worn with a popped collar. If your collar wasn’t popped then you were not participating in this 00s trend. In retrospect, that probably would have been a good thing, because it looked absolutely ridiculous. Even Kanye can’t seem to make it look cool.
28. Fashion Faux Pas Come in Threes
There are three fashion faux pas in this photo, can you guess what they are? Here’s the answer: the lacy babydoll top, an armful of bracelets, and our worst offender, the denim mini skirt! This skirt was absolutely everywhere in the 00s, no matter the season or occasion. They always looked incredibly uncomfortable to move around in, given that they were so tight.
And when sitting down you had to be extra careful not to flash everyone around you. Seems like way more trouble than they’re worth, imagine needing to constantly be watching over your own crotch. We’ll take skirts with more moderate lengths from now on, they’re a lot lower maintenance than these!
27. The Never-Ending Torture of Innocent Jeans
There were a million different ways you could wear denim in the 00s, and airbrushed jeans were definitely at the top of the list. We’re not sure why anyone would want to wear a pair of pants that had shadows painted on, but they were all the rage back then. Perhaps people just couldn’t decide whether they wanted light or dark denim?
Along with acid wash and ultra distressed, these were among the worst things anyone could do to a pair of innocent jeans. The 00s just couldn’t let denim jeans be themselves, always trying to change them up in some way that ended up making them worse. Denim, you just do you.
26. Only the Chunkiest Streaks
If you weren’t bold enough to dye your whole head a new color, why not settle for highlights? These allowed you to dabble with the idea of a new look without fully committing. Unfortunately, in the 2000s hair highlights were still trying to figure themselves out. Most of them were too thick or blended poorly with our natural color.
Highlights are meant to enhance our hair, not turn it into zebra print! When these were the work of inexperienced stylists or the vision of an excitable teenager, we think they’re better off in the past. If you want to keep your ‘do edgy why not try a single-colored streak? The skunk look is still in, for now…
25. The Lace-Up Crotch
Don’t get distracted by X-tina’s wild hair and corset top! What we’re looking at in this photo is actually the lace-up crotch on her pants. For some reason, we all wanted to get our hands on these super impractical bottoms. Whether the laces were on the front, sides, or even the back, these were the thing to wear if you wanted to look cool.
At the end of the day, they were a total pain to put on and take off. You’d probably rather sleep in them than bother with all that! If you wanted to rock a more practical version of this look you could always go for a lace-up top. Just don’t be surprised when someone says you’re giving them 00s nostalgia!
24. Belly Jewelry That Dangles
Your parents probably weren’t cool with the idea of you having a piercing. But if you managed to sneak to the mall with your friends you probably wanted one of these dangly things! Belly button jewelry was all the rage, after all, you’ve gotten show something off with your low-rise jeans and crop top combo. However, these jewels hung a little TOO low.
There was always the fear of them snagging on something and tearing off. We’re cringing just thinking about it. Not to mention the discomfort of getting the piercing in the first place. These were for super brave girls only, most of us were too afraid to get stuck with that needle!
23. Underwear as Outerwear? We’d Rather Not
Someone call the ASPCA, this is some clear animal abuse! Well, technically it’s only animal PRINT abuse, which isn’t exactly the same thing, but it’s close! This is major leopard print overkill. And to make the whole outfit worse, it has the dreaded “underwear as outerwear” thing going on. Back in the 00s, it was for some reason acceptable to wear your underwear over your clothes
Some people even sported their undergarments instead of actual clothing! Maybe people just didn’t have the time to get fully dressed back then? Whatever the reason was, underwear is now back where it belongs, UNDER people’s clothing! And we think that’s where it should stay from now on.
22. Hair Accessories for Days
If there’s one thing we can say for sure it’s that fashion in the 00s was totally obsessed with hair accessories. From headbands to butterfly clips, anything loud and bright was always better! Usually, these types of hair flair accessories were found in stores like Claire’s, though in the past decade they seemed to have toned down the 2000-ness.
Nowadays you’d have to do a bit of searching if you wanted to relive that decade’s hair accessory craze. This scarf-headband combo was one of the most popular, especially when it included a brand name. While these aren’t the most atrocious items on this list, they’re definitely super dated. We wouldn’t be thrilled to wear one of these outdoors, or indoors, or anywhere on Earth really!
21. Keeping Those Tips Frosted
Here’s a trend the boys couldn’t seem to get enough of; frosted tips! Why bleach all of your hair when you can just do the edges? Young Justin Timberlake was a total heartthrob despite this ‘do, which looks totally dated by today’s standards. You wouldn’t catch anyone rocking this trend today…unless their name is Guy Fieri.
This dye-job was usually combined with an intense amount of gel and hairspray. After all, you had to keep your spikes or curls firmly in place. They basically had to be bulletproof! And be honest, you probably had a major crush on a guy rocking this hairstyle, he probably wore a pukka shell necklace, too!
20. Ties Everywhere
The 00s were definitely an experimental time for fashion, and that meant throwing gender roles out the window! No longer were men’s clothing confined to your boyfriend’s closet. Boyfriend jeans and oversized hoodies never really went out of style. But men’s ties as an everyday casual look? Yeah, that might’ve not been the best idea.
What was the deal with that decade and unusual belts? When Avril Lavigne wasn’t wearing an oversized tie over a tank top, regular gals were slipping this formalwear through their belt loops. This is more of a look for rebellious schoolgirls trying to add some edge to their uniforms. We’ve yet to see a grown woman don this look since 2010.
19. Words on the Butt
Some of us want to call a little attention to our rear-ends. Whether it’s to emphasize what we’ve got or add a little oomph to our look, we’ve all been there. We’re just not sure giant text is the best way to go. While this trend may have never fully gone away, it definitely reached its peak in the 2000s.
Don’t get us wrong, these pants look incredibly comfortable, it’s just the word “Juicy” on the butt that’d keep us from wearing it out. We get that’s the name of the brand, but it definitely draws some other connotations. That can get a little problematic when underage girls want to get in on the trend. These pants aren’t appropriate for all ages!
18. Sunglasses Jewelry
Sunglasses are never going to go out of vogue, it’s the shape and style that’s constantly changing. In the 2000s we had some very interesting ideas of what fashionable sunglasses meant. It felt like every woman was out wearing the exact same oversized brown-tinted pair. In fact, we recall fashion magazines pointing out just how big these shades could get!
We didn’t just need the frames to be big, we needed them to sparkle. Rhinestones on the legs, around the rim, even on the lenses themselves! We put rhinestones on everything back then, our sunglasses were no exception. Did anyone else get distracted by the design while wearing them, or was that just us?
17. Frosted Blue Eyeshadow
We really went beyond our comfort zone when it came to doing our makeup in the 2000s. While smoky blacks and sharp winged liner would define the next decade, the 00s were all about bright, outlandish colors. Blues, greens, and pinks were the hues that graced our lids back then. While these colors are used today, they’re a touch more subtle.
Oh, and they were almost always frosty or sparkly in some way. But painting your entire lid a single color is a major makeup no-no, ditto to excessive shine. At least that’s what the influencers on Youtube are always saying. But who knows, some up-and-coming makeup artist might bring these looks back!
16. Platform Sandals
You want to add a few inches of height without having to slip on painful heels. How about something a little more comfortable? You’ll be as tall as you like! Platform sandals definitely went out of fashion when the decade ended, only to be replaced by high-heeled sneakers. We guess people really don’t want to wear heels.
While these shoes might give you the lift you’re looking for, they look like a bit of a safety hazard. How many times have you tripped or slipped in regular flip-flops? Tripping in higher shoes is never pretty, couldn’t we at least get some ankle support on these?
15. The Colors of the 00s
What appears to be an incredibly old music player in Hillary Duff’s hand gives this photo an authentic 00s touch. But what we want to direct your attention to is not the outdated technology, it’s the awful color of that tank top! The 00s gave us a lot of clothing in weird shades that you’d be hard-pressed to find in any clothing store today.
From this faded mint green to cobalt blue and sugar pink, the fashion colors from back in the day truly stood out for how terrible they looked! (And yes, we noticed the print on those pants, we’re not even going to go there…). Neutral tones might’ve been present back then but they were difficult to find among all the unflattering hues!
14. Ridiculously High-Top Converse
Converse sneakers have been popular for decades, but it wasn’t until the 00s until the high tops got SERIOUSLY tall. For some reason we wanted these to come up to our knees, sometimes even higher. How the heck did people manage to lace them up in the morning? Most knee-high boots come with a zipper, but not these. Seems like a lot more effort than it’s worth.
We’re glad this fad is over, now we can get back to regular high-top Chuck Taylors. If you’re dying for a knee-high shoe look, we’d suggest a pair of stockings or perhaps just regular boots. Trust us, you’ll save a ton of time getting ready.
13. Skirts or Dresses, Wear Jeans Under Everything!
The second worst fashion offender after jeans under dresses has got to be jeans under skirts. It looks like there are two kinds of layering going on in this 00s fashion moment, and we disapprove of both of them. There are also way too many different types of glitter, sparkles, and beads for a single outfit. Why did 2000s outfits need to try to be everything all at once?
We guess that all the outlandish fashion going on during the decade made people want to stand out even more! The cherry on top is the piano clutch. If it was paired with a regular outfit from the present day we might actually like it but in this ensemble? It just makes the look more dated!
12. The Monochromatic Tracksuit for All Occasions
These single-colored, velour tracksuits were a MAJOR hit in the 00s. You might remember the Juicy Couture designer version, but their price tag didn’t prevent some of us from seeing them as pajamas! Wearing this as if it was an outfit appropriate for formal events is a big no-no nowadays, but back then it was totally cool.
You can’t just slap a pair of earrings and heels on any outfit and hope that it looks formal, that is unless you’re living in the 00s! These tracksuits came in a variety of colors, but there isn’t a single color in the world that could make it look stylish today. A comfy look for a grocery run? Yes. A red carpet moment? Heck no!
11. Wrist Cuffs Galore
There’s no denying that our girl Avril was a trendsetter of the decade. But her style was, for lack of a better word, complicated. You’d have to raid the accessory stand at a Hot Topic to keep up with her! In particular, you’d have to get your hands on as many bracelets and wrist cuffs as possible.
We can imagine it’d take a bit of time to get all these off every night, or would you sleep with them? Back then it didn’t matter, as long as our arms were covered in edgy jewelry we felt cool. Nowadays the minimalist style is back, you’re unlikely to find cuffs like this anywhere outside a highschool!
10. The Layering of Shirts that Don’t Go Together
We have already covered the subject of inappropriate 00s layering, but this time we’re focusing on the top half of the outfit. Glittery and embellished tank tops were a fashionable part of the decade that we can still kind of get behind. But layering them on top of regular t-shirts? We definitely disapprove. You simply cannot wear all your shirts at the same time!
It seems like the decade had so many different trends to choose from that everyone ended up wearing at the same time. Unfortunately, that resulted in outfits like these. Layering mismatched shirts will always be a symbol of 00s fashion, and we don’t think they’ll be making a comeback anytime soon!
9. Misplaced Fishnets Everywhere You Look
We all love Gwen Stefani, and the style icon has evolved with the the times. In this dated photo we’ll draw your attention to the overuse of fishnet in totally random places. Fishnet shirts and stockings were both very popular in this decade, but that’s far from where this fabric stopped.
In the 00s you were probably able to spot fishnet everything, from socks and gloves to shirts and dresses! Thankfully these are all gone from mainstream fashion, which we definitely think is a good thing. The addition of fishnet to this outfit just looks totally out of place to us, but we think that might have been the intention. Bye-bye misplaced fishnets!
8. Rubber Bracelets That Took Over the World
This plastic jewellry might’ve been more exclusive to pre-teens and teenagers, but you can’t deny that they were a major hit! Their moment in the spotlight was a little shorter than some of these trends, but if you grew up in the 00s it’s impossible to forget them. Colorful collectable bracelets that come in different shapes? Sounds like these were the perfect gimmick!
They might’ve bunched up and made your arm sore as anything, but it didn’t matter. We were all too excited to get in on this major fad. However, as adults, we don’t think these Bandz would make it anywhere near our wrists ever again. We’ve moved on!
7. Can We Keep Our Jeans in One Piece, Please?
This photo has a number of terrible 00s trends in a single outfit, but we’re just going to focus on one of them. And the item we’ve chosen to zero in on are those denim patchwork pants. The 00s had a weird relationship with denim, from airbrushed and overly distressed jeans to all-denim outfits. It seems we couldn’t stop abusing this fabric and live in peace!
Patchwork jeans are one thing we’re glad not to see in stores anymore. They make us think of dozens of pairs of good jeans being destroyed to create these. We’d rather keep our denim pants in one piece, thank you very much.
6. The Mop Top that Every Guy Wanted to Sport
If you were in middle school, or maybe even high school, during the 00s you definitely remember this haircut. Practically every guy your age had a hairdo like this one. And this mop head haircut extended beyond just school hallways, it was in a ton of 00s movies and tv shows as well. Case in point, Mitchell Musso here in Hannah Montana.
Even the boys of Harry Potter were cursed with these atrocious hairstyles! We have no idea who thought this hairdo looked good, or how it managed to spread as far and wide as it did. And, if you look at this photo closely, you’ll notice that it also has a case of the bad 00s shirt layering!
5. Dresses that Were Basically Fancy, Expensive Nightgowns
Formal dresses like these were an excuse to attend events while feeling like you could still be lounging around at home. However, you have the downside of still looking like you’re walking the red carpet in a nightgown. You’d have to weigh those pros and cons for yourself, but in the 00s there was no question that these dresses were in.
Nowadays if you went to an important event wearing one of these people might not let it pass. You’d probably get a lot of raised eyebrows and people wondering why you didn’t bother to change out of your pajamas. Better pick an outfit that doesn’t look like you could fall asleep in it!
4. Floor Dusting Pant
Now let’s get one thing straight; there’s NOTHING wrong with boot-cut jeans. The style can actually be very flattering on all kinds of body types, however, there is a limit to the length and flare. If your pants are sweeping the floor then you know they’re too long! Better use a broom for cleaning, not the edges of your jeans.
It’s as if we wanted to hide our feet with these crazy pant lengths. Be honest, how many times did you find yourself tripping over these extra-long and extra-wide pant legs? The number of injuries these must’ve caused is not worth the look. Beauty is pain, but we’re willing to argue that these are no longer pretty enough to be worth the hassle!
3. Can She Breathe with That Thing on Her Neck?
One particular accessory that may have never completely gone away since the 00s has to be the choker, but it never quite reached its same level of popularity again. The one Kelly Clarkson is seen sporting here looks not only dated but also incredibly painful. Can she breathe in that thing? We know they’re called “chokers” but we didn’t think the name was so literally!
Just to add to the nostalgia for 00s bad fashion trends, she’s also showing off those chunky blonde highlights. What was the deal with those highlights in the 00s? Were hairdressers just not experienced enough to create anything else? Regardless, it seems she was happy with her outfit, so we won’t judge her for it!
2. The Belly Necklace
We’re always looking for different places on our bodies to adorn with jewelry. If you’re a conservative accessorizer, you might just stick to subtle earrings, necklaces, or bracelets. Those who are a little bolder might opt for anklets or piercings on their brows or navel. But back in the 00s, it was all the rage to drape a necklace around your midriff.
It seemed cool at the time but it looks a little uncomfortable in retrospect. These were far from uncommon, especially when it came to pop artists performing on stage or hitting the red carpet. Does it look a teensy weensy bit tacky? Yes. Is it definitely going to make a comeback? Also yes.
1. Maybe Try and Get Something in Your Size Next Time?
This photo has got to be in the history books of 00s red carpet fashion. It looks like we have a major misuse of formal wear here, not to mention it’s three to four sizes too big for her. Why were we all so hung up on wearing clothes that didn’t fit us?
The size issue combined with the tube top makes this an iconic 00s fashion moment. Tube tops were another big trend of the 00s, sometimes worn acceptably, but in this case worn in the worst way possible. We can’t think of a less suitable outfit for a glittery top like that!