Four Fashion Trends From the 2000s We Don’t Miss

Over the years, we’ve seen our fair share of fashion faux-pas. From the zoot suits dating all the way back to the 1940s to men’s jumpsuits in the 1970s, right up to the likes of Crocs which haunt the fashion world in the present day, there have been numerous occasions where fashion icons and celebs just haven’t got it right. Arguably, there is one particular decade that many within the fashion industry will argue was particularly the worst - the 2000s. Let’s cast our minds back to the year 2000 - Coldplay released their debut album, everyone was fearful of the millennium bug, Tiger Woods was at the top of his golf game, and there was the utter disaster that was Euro 2000. Indeed, there was a heck of a lot going on during the year 2000, and in the world of fashion, we were set up for what was going to be a rather memorable decade - just perhaps not for the right reasons. Today, we’re looking at some of the worst fashion trends from the 2000s and breathing a huge sigh of relief that they’ve stayed put.

Denim Overkill

We have to start with a classic - the overkill denim trend. Made (in)famous by Justin Timberlake and the boys of NSYNC, not only did they go for double denim, they also added to the look with random jean patches here, there, and everywhere too. The icing on the heavily denim clad cake though, has to be the iconic appearance at the American Music Awards in 2001. JT and then-girlfriend Britney Spears rocked up to the event in a matching denim-on-denim ensemble, a look that has since gone down in fashion history. Katy Perry and rapper Riff Raff paid homage to the look in 2014, replicating it at the MTV Video Music Awards, a look that was praised by Britney herself. During a podcast interview earlier this year, Justin Timberlake even said that he has no regrets over the look, but we’re not convinced. While double denim has made numerous comeback attempts over the years, we think that this is one that should definitely be retired.

Spiky Hair

No look in the 2000s was complete without the hairstyle of the decade - the spikes. Back in the day, the spiky hair trend was everywhere, with boybands and celebs undoubtedly going through tubs of the stuff every week. It was adopted by all genres, particularly on the music scene, with stars of everything from grunge to pop going all in with it. Flick through any copy of Smash Hits magazine or similar and you’ll have seen the likes of 5ive, A1, and NSYNC all rocking the trend, as well as stars such as Brad Pitt giving it a go too. Thankfully, it hasn’t made a comeback since, and we’re very thankful for it.

Multiple Collars

Sometimes, one popped collar just isn’t enough. That was the reasoning behind this odd but insanely popular trend of the 2000s - believed to have originated from the ‘frat boy’ look in the US. While layering has always been a favourite trend of ours, but this is one that takes things way too far - the more collars, the more you’re silently displaying the impression that your trust fund and your parent’s money will get you out of literally everything. Thankfully, while polo shirts are still a wardrobe staple to this day, wearing your entire collection of them all at once is not. We can all breathe a sigh of relief.

Matrix Coats

The Matrix trilogy graced our screens between 1999 and 2003, and hardcore fans were eager to channel their inner Neo and Morpheous by getting their hands on long leather jackets and oval sunglasses. While Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne pulled off the slick, futuristic look, the extreme Matrix wannabes most certainly didn’t. The movie will go down in history as one of the most iconic action films, the fashion trend that came with it will too, just not for the same reasons. With a fourth movie scheduled for release in 2022, we’re hoping that the Matrix-inspired fashion trend is one that remains unplugged.

There were certainly a lot of fashion trends in the 2000s that we’re glad to see the back of, and let’s all hope that we won’t be seeing them make a comeback anytime soon. However, with fashion running in cycles, what are the chances that in 20 years time we’ll be writing a piece entitled “Trends of the 2020s We Don’t Miss?” Hopefully, we’ve learned from our mistakes and that won’t be the case.

Written by Amy Jackson - 26th July 2020