On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink & Share Our Y2K Mood Boards
“But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.”- Kat Stratford
Is the 10 Things I Hate About You Heroine describing:
A. The feeling of falling for someone you’ve tried hard to resist who then betrayed you in a publicly humiliating manner?
or
B. The cultural sentiment regarding The Y2K Renaissance that’s taken over beauty, fashion, and even tech trends?
Answer: C – Both.
It’s impossible to miss Y2K’s fingerprints all over pop culture right now – even The Associated Press has deemed it relevant and widespread enough to report on.
Crop tops, wide-leg jeans, glittery eye makeup, claw clips, and flip phones are all the rage. Britney Spears is as beloved as ever, with her latest book selling over 1 million copies in its first week. Shania Twain is on tour. Walmart has gone viral for a Mean Girls-inspired ad. Survivor is 45 seasons in with a cult following of all ages. It’s enough to feel transported back to 2004.
Whether it stems from escapism, nostalgia, or Y2K really is just that girl, the 2000s resurgence is strong and doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. That leaves two choices: Cringe or join in on the fun. Here at The FMC, we love a good trend and finding joy wherever we can, so we say, “That’s hot. Lean in.”
Taking a page from some of our favorite early aughts rom-com queens, here’s what we currently have on our early-2000’s-inspo mood board:
Mean Girls: Regina George
Raise your hand if you have ever been personally victimized by Regina George and Abercrombie in the early aughts. Abercrombie has come a long way in recent years, undergoing an inclusive rebranding effort that’s increased its popularity, so now we can feel like the ultimate cool girl—Regina George (in her redemption arc era)—wearing Abercrombie nowadays.
A Cinderella Story: Sam Montgomery
We can thank A Cinderella Story’s Sam Montgomery for inspiring us with some all-star disses and tomboy aesthetics that we love to imitate on cozy days (aka most days).
Legally Blonde: Elle Woods
When we need an extra confidence boost or want to play around with a bit of feminine flair, we look to Elle Woods as our guiding fashion light, like with this hot pink business suit that makes us feel we can take on anything, including but not limited to, Harvard Law School.
13 Going On 30: Jenna Rink
Jenna Rink’s iconic dress and butterfly necklace (not optional) is a need, not a want.
The Wedding Planner: Mary Fiore
The Wedding Planner taught several vital lessons, like to only eat brown M&Ms, never step on a manhole cover when wearing heels, and how stunning a simple blue dress can be.
How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days: Andie Anderson
How To Lose a Guy In 10 Days may only have a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes but Andie’s gorgeous yellow dress has 100% of our hearts. Pinning this for a special occasion.
Lip Gloss
One thing about the 00s – the lips were hydrated. And shiny. But hydrated!
Friendship Bracelets
Miss Taylor Swift has brought one of the biggest Y2K trends back into style. Inspired by lyrics from Swift’s song, “You’re On Your Own, Kid” on her Midnights album, fans have donned friendship bracelets that were once a 2000s childhood fashion staple at Swift’s recent concerts. If the Swifties are doing it, so are we.
Can’t get enough Y2K? Neither can we. We rounded up some of the biggest YA and movie soundtrack hits from the era for a trip down memory lane—or to discover for the first time—ASAP: