2000’s Trends That are Making a Comeback (& How to Wear Them in 2023)

One of my favorite aspects of fashion is how trends get reinvented over the years. What one moment can seem like a fashion don’t, a few months later is the newest obsession. The item doesn’t usually change much, so it’s all about the styling. The era of the 70s renaissance has passed, the nineties are waning, but the noughties (2000-2009… yes it is a thing!) are just getting started with their revival with three new trends this year.

Before we dig deep into these trends that have over the past twenty years been fashion faux pas, I want to affirm that being stylish doesn’t mean being on trend. Just because you like wearing something that's not “on trend” doesn't mean you don’t look fashionable and modern. The cyclical nature of trends is speeding up, and if it serves as reassurance, I don’t bother keeping up with all of them. These three trends are a few I’ve been happy to see come back into mainstream style for those who like the style.

Ballerina Flats

Twenty years ago black ballerina flats were the shoes everyone threw on with just about anything. They were easy to put on ‘on the go’ and went with just about any look. While they feel very feminine and romantic, it's their versatility that makes them the perfect shoe that even soul and jazz legend Amy Winehouse loved wearing. Kate Moss, a frequent ballerina flat wearer, and infamous edgy it-girl, often paired it with another 2000s trend: skinny jeans (we’ll dive into this in just a second…)

Kate Moss wearing ballerinas in the early 2000's

But somewhere along the years bow ties became lace ties and the sneaker craze took over the flat shoe department, basically forcing ballerina flats into extinction.

Miu Miu was the first high end luxury brand to put ballerina flats back on the runway in 2016. What really turned things around though was in 2022 when they debuted their ballerina flats that looked like actual ballerina pointe shoes.

Miu Miu revisiting the ballerinas

In 2023, ballerina flats are taking center stage! They are more colorful and louder than ever. Even the more understated monochrome pairs catch the eye. To pull off this trend in 2023, make your ballerina flats the main attraction, building your outfit around them.

If you like a bolder look, pair it with a top that contrasts in color with your shoes.

Or wear a bag the exact same color - bonus points if it’s French girl red.

If you prefer a more understated look, you can never go wrong with a blazer and straight jeans.

For a fashion-forward look, wear all-white or all-black to really call attention to your shoes.

Skinny Jeans

Skinny jeans are probably the most controversial trend to be making a comeback in 2023. Most people welcomed looser fits with open arms (myself included) and didn’t shed a tear letting skinny jeans go. At the same time, some people have continued to wear them regardless of what’s “in”.

Skinnies are back!

Yes, skinny jeans ruled the early 2000s, and while some protest its return, skinny jeans have been in and out of fashion since the 50s. In the 60s they became the fit of choice for rockers and mod girls. In the 70s they took second row to looser fits of the counterculture era. And yet in the 80s they were again front and center as rock and roll reigned fashion. Again in the 90s they went out of style, only to make their latest comeback in the noughties.

As you can see, skinny jeans come in and out of style like clockwork, and it seems like the alarm is ringing. Saint Laurent and Celine are at the forefront of the return of skinny jeans in their fall collections. Both collections are heavily inspired by rock and roll counterculture.

In the 2000s, skinny jeans were synonymous with low-rise jeans, and they were always paired with the tiniest crop tops. The death of skinny jeans in this century was mostly brought on by the body positivity movement, promoting jean fits that were more inclusive and flattering to all kinds of women. It became synonymous with constraint, like corsets were in their time.

Skinnies style back in the 2000's

In 2023, skinny jeans are all about proportions. The real focus is on making sure there is balance in the outfit. The key is to balance out the mid-section, with either focus on the top or on the shoes. The balance is what makes me love this trend a lot more in 2023 than I did in the 2000s. To pull this trend off we’re going to need to layer and accessorize.

If you want the cool edgy look, pair your skinny jeans with high boots, a loose tee shirt, a large handbag and of course black sunglasses.

For the modern “Parisian look”, style with a cinched blazer, flats, and a satchel bag (the key is to create an hourglass silhouette by emphasizing the waist).

For a classic summer look, pair with sandals and a linen button-down shirt.

If you want the most on-trend look, wear loafers and a striped sweater (you can’t walk into a store these days without seeing nautical stripes, and I’m not complaining).

Cargo Pants

The latest Y2K style making a comeback are cargo pants. While pretty much every musician in the 2000s was sporting cargo pants, the style’s original purpose was for the military. But if you ask me, the Spice Girls pulled it off better.

Like many noughties trends, cargo pants were everywhere this past fashion month. But no one has been a bigger champion of the look than Bella Hadid, a gen-z icon, whatever she wears becomes a trend. The trickle-up effect from street style to luxury style even has brands like Fendi and Louis Vuitton showcasing cargo pants on their runways.

In the early 2000s, cargo pants stuck to an earthy color palette: deep green, beige, and camo, with the occasional girl group rainbow coordinate outfits. They were usually styled with crop tops or bralettes and often were paired with a funky hat.

In 2023, cargo pants are chic! Many are floor length, I’m pretty sure only Beyonce can pull off the capri look. While the neutral colors are still predominant, there are more colorful and sparkly options on the market, so it is all about choosing the one that most fits your style. To pull this trend off, you’ll need to offset the casualness of cargo pants with finer items.

For a simple, no-effort Sunday look, pair with a sweater, flats or sneakers, and some black sunglasses.

For the cool girl look, pair with an oversized blazer and a statement belt.

For a professional look, style your cargo pants with a button-down shirt and pointed heels.

For an edgy look, wear your cargo pants with a black jacket and sleek sunglasses

For a funky look, throw on a fur-lined aviator jacket and a graphic tee shirt.

The bottom line is and I can’t say this enough: wear what you love! If you love any of these trends, these are ideas on how to make the trend more modern and hopefully give you some outfit inspiration. The best fashion items never go out of style, they may be cyclically on or off trend, but they can still always be fashionable.

If you ever want some advice on any trend you loved and wanted to wear in 2023, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me in my Facebook group for some advice on how to make it more modern, or schedule a one-on-one appointment with me.

Lili