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Is 2000s Black fashion making a comeback? YEP!
As you may know, during the legendary Y2K era, we saw the rise of everything from Baby Phat purses and micro braids to M&M jackets and fresh Filas. Flo Rida’s famous bop had the whole club looking at the “Shawty” with the Apple Bottom jeans and boots with the fur. Swooped bangs or gelled humps accompanied roll-on lip gloss and personalized hoop earrings for the girls, while the guys rocked designed cornrows, oversized white tees, and Sean Jeans.
Yung Joc’s “It’s Goin’ Down” blared through the speakers as we were on our way out of the “trap” to “Crank That” with Soulja Boy in our stunna shades. However, we weren’t too ashamed to say that most of us were still on a high from doing the “Laffy Taffy” with D4L.
All that said, as the modern adage goes… a time was had. The early-to-mid part of the 21st century was a moment to be alive. Pop culture reached its height, with everything from classic movies to timeless music keeping us thoroughly entertained.
Trends were set, and so was a golden period of nostalgia.
Let’s look at what’s made a resurgence throughout recent years of the decade.
2000s Black Fashion Making a Comeback?! These Are Trends That Give Us the Ultimate Nostalgia
Teeth Grillz
While grillz have never (fully) gone away, the settings in which they’ve been worn have evolved. Whereas, in the 2000s, golds (another term for the mouth jewelry) were mostly seen on men (and in Hip-Hop videos), they’ve become a unisex accessory for many. These days, women are mainly spotted sporting the bottom plates, pairing them with tooth jewels on the top. The fellas, of course, have never been afraid to walk around with a mouth full of bling–and in 2024, it’s still happening! However, although they were popularized during Y2K, grillz first hit the mainstream scene in the 1980s hip-hop arena.
Bedazzled Tracksuits
Brands like Juicy Couture and Bebe were the go-to for chic streetwear. From celebrities to everyday people, their bedazzled tracksuits were the holy grail for women. Despite Juicy Couture announcing its departure from the fashion industry in 2014, the company has since rebranded, and an updated version of the velour pieces is back on the market! Cute, comfy fits that’ll always be a thing of the past… AND PRESENT!
Sports Jerseys
Artists like Nelly had everyone’s hearts on lock in the style department during his “Hot In Herre” and “Dilemma” (2002) run. From the bandaids and headbands down to the jersey gear, he wasn’t to be played with! Although Jersey sightings grew rare in the latter part of the 2000s, the wave has returned. Be it basketball or even hockey jerseys, the fellas aren’t hesitating to pull one out of their closets for old times’ sake.
Stacked Jewelry
Honestly, the 90s and 2000s saw stacked jewelry being a thing. Everything from rings to necklaces–male or female–was worn. Deemed as the most innovative race, Black people “Black peopling” have always set blueprints. Only in our community would you need a gazillion pieces of jewelry around your neck or on your finger… and look darn good while doing so. This trend has re-emerged in 2024.
Airbrushed Apparel
You can’t tell us you didn’t have an airbrushed T-shirt with your favorite person’s name plastered across the front! If you know… you know. With concerts like B2K’s The Millennium Tour, which surfaced around 2020, we saw the height of the airbrushed fits’ return, as fans began whipping them out for the musical reunion. Additionally, individuals have revisited the look in couples photoshoots and 90s-themed events. According to research, airbrushing has been around since the 70s but became an iconic fashion trend in the early 2000s.
Ripped Jeans
Before the skinny jeans craze came ripped jeans! Everyone and their mothers were rocking various styles of ripped jeans with a blinged-out belt in the 2000s. Today, women are matching them with crop tops. Men, on the other hand, wear them as well, but more so in a baggier cut, which is also reminiscent of the period.
Do you believe 2000s Black fashion is making a comeback? Let us know in the comments below!