11 Crazy Trends That Prove the 2000s Were Truly Wild

The 2000s might just be the most questionable era in fashion history. The deeper we dive into the trends of that decade, the more it seems like they were designed to make women look ridiculous. How else can we explain the overload of rhinestones, overly bronzed “smoked” tans, and exposed thong straps? And that’s just the beginning. Feeling nostalgic, we took a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the most controversial fashion moments of the time — along with the boldest celebrity looks that defined the era.

Сut-out jeans

During an era when belts were a fashion staple, cut-out jeans emerged as a bold new trend. These trousers often featured missing waistbands and belt loops, with strategically placed cut-outs or rips. With nothing but a zipper keeping them in place, they defied gravity — and conventional fashion norms.

Pleated miniskirt

Pleated miniskirts, a-la “school girl,” were another bizarre trend of those times. As a rule, they were so short that sometimes it was difficult to understand whether it was a skirt or a wide belt. Nevertheless, both celebrities and ordinary girls were gladly wearing them.

Lace-up trousers

Of course, seeing lace-up trousers instead of the usual zipper today might bring up a lot of questions, but a short while ago they were considered a top-notch item of clothing. But even then, it was only the bravest who dared to buy them.

Bizarre jewelry

Accessories of the ’00s could be a topic for a whole separate article. Multicolored plastic beads, huge boho earrings, feathers, and rhinestones are only a small part of what we used to wear.

Tutu skirt

Fluffy tulle skirts became one of the main hits of those years thanks to the main character of the Sex and the City TV series — Carrie Bradshaw. Tutus were so popular that even adult women couldn’t resist wearing them.

Wide belts

Another accessory that was truly loved by the fashion mongers of those times were belts with a huge buckle that were mainly a decorative, rather than a functional element.

Cargo trousers

It seems like there is nothing that could look worse than low-waist cargo trousers, doesn’t it? But 15 years ago not only did they not raise any questions, but they were also considered super-trendy. Moreover, the bravest would tuck them into boots with a tight-fitting bootleg.

String belts

Every girl owned a string belt complemented by rivets, flower appliques, and other types of decorations in the early 2000s. Perhaps you even have one of these belts lying around in the depths of your wardrobe.

Short ankle boots

Every respectful fashion monger of the ’00s owned short ankle boots with high heels. Even Gwyneth Paltrow couldn’t resist them. Not only was this type of footwear uncomfortable, but it also visually shortened the legs.

Classic vest and skinny trousers

Those who lived through the first decade of this century are well aware of how popular tiny classic vests used to be during those times. They were worn with T-shirts, shirts, and even on naked bodies. Another controversial trend back then was skinny trousers. At the end of the 2000s, flared jeans were replaced by extremely skinny trousers. Moreover, if they were so long that there were non-aesthetically pleasing folds of fabric collected around the ankle area that partially covered the wearer’s shoes, these trousers could easily cause envy among your friends.

Visible thongs

Visible thongs were one of the most iconic — and undeniably provocative — fashion trends of the 2000s. The trend first gained attention during a Gucci runway show, where models strutted down the catwalk with thong straps peeking out above their outfits. Many celebrities embraced the style, but it was Britney Spears who played the biggest role in popularizing it, incorporating thongs into her signature stage looks.

We often say, “Things used to be better,” but fashion history tells a different story. From colorful eyebrows and insect jewelry to corsets that shrank waists to 13 inches, trends of past centuries were just as extreme — if not more — than today’s.