21th Century Fashion History: 2000-2010

Finally time for the early 2000s, aka the years we try to forget ever happened. I think I am a person of fashion tolerance. That I am indeed open for a fashion without boundaries or limits of creativity,  but my pride in my attempt to understand all aspects of fashion is not even in the size of atoms when I review and write about the fashion history: 2000-2010. I mean, what the hell were we all thinking in those early years? It’s a mystery and I require a crime investigation of fashion. Lol! Anyways, here is the fashion history: 2000-2010!

The Society during 2000-2010

As stated in the post of 1990-2000, the late years of the 20th century and the early years of the 00s are very much alike. Still in a buzz of tv shows, pop stars and a crave for anything technology and sparkling. In many ways, the 2000s were a decade where the celebrity obsession peaked. Instead of models being fashion trendsetters, celebrities as Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie were style icons. Shows like Friends and SATC still went strong and influenced the fashion. Especially the ladies in SATC were major with their somewhat dreamy life of NYC, fashion and love. One Tree Hill and The O.C were popular in the early years of the decade and shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girl and Mad Men premiered in the later half.  Movies as Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada, A Shopaholic’s Confession would become iconic, especially regarding the fashion.

Pop stars as Britney Spears, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera and JLO were popular and the early 00s also saw the rising of the queen of our modern society: Beyoncé (slay). Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift are some of the pop stars that rose to fame in the late 00s, not to forget Justin Bieber. Disney stars as Hillary Duff, Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus were popular teens. Reality shows as The Hills and Keeping Up With The Kardashians began in the late 00s too.

The style of 2000-2010

Instead of dividing the 00s into different styles, it’s easier to focus on the early years of the decade and the later years as that’s where the change happened.  The early 2000s’ style is reminiscent of the late 90s in many ways with a lot of the styles being done, but in a more extreme version. The years began with sweet colors, glitter, denim and also activewear. The crop tops were shorter, the waist of skirts, shorts and pants was insanely low. (Low as in, it was trendy to let your underwear hint *cringe emoji*). Halterneck tops and bandeaus in tropical prints or bright and awkward colors were a popular match. 

There was also a sort of boho vibe with a lot of paisley patterns, asymmetrical tops and skirts and also a fair share amount of maxi skirts. A kind of office wear was still trending, but done less formal. Like, pantsuits but with colorful tops underneath, or blazers but paired with distressed denim. A style that’s going for the office look but is matched with the cute-ish style of the early 00s. 

Thankfully though, the questionable fashion faded as the decade progressed. The late 00s saw a distinct change in fashion.  Gone was the revealing fashion and here was the Tumblr fashion. Tumblr fashion? Yes, the hipster/grandpa/nerdy fashion including a lot of of high waisted skirts with shirts, oversized glasses and scarves. The overall feeling was kind of a grandpa style with dove shades of peacock blue, forest green and orange. The fashion had a very fall-ish vibe with a lot of knitted fabric and oversized silhouettes. Not to forget, around this time, the go-to fashion of today emerged. Or how about skinny jeans, a tunic, a leather jacket and sneakers? Kind of the fashion suit of the 21st century (for better or worse).

The Clothes between 2000-2010

The early years of the 2000s saw clothes as: crop tops, vests, blazers, halterneck tops, v-shaped jumpers, low waisted jeans and skirts. Layered tank tops in different colors were popular and should be matched with cargo pants. Popular accessories were: bandanas, sunnies and layered necklaces. Another major accessory, or statement, was the handbag and the designer logo. The early and mid of the 2000s saw an explosion of designer logos as they were a status symbol (LV and Gucci, but also Chanel). They were on bags, scarves, belts, caps and on the clothes too.  Another important accessory was the belt, it was to be in focus and placed by the hips, this went for any outfit regardless if you wore a crop top or a dress over the jeans. The latter outfit was btw immensely popular and related to the emerge of asymmetrical fashion with skirts and tops going flowy.

The flowy life also worked for the bohemian style that was trending. A lot of crochet, maxi skirts, colorful clothes and prints were a must. Often with too many accessories as long necklaces, bracelets and of course a belt to go for the waist. The tunics, the vests and the maxi lengths all went for this style. Cargo pants, or oversized ones in general, were common choices to pair with a tee when going for the daily life.  As for the office wear, it was mainly pinstripes, pantsuits, colorful tops and jumpers that were the go-to pieces. Often with shiny pumps and a statement bag to highlight it.

The Tumblr fashion and mainstream fashion emerged during the later half, and I’d say that 2008 is somewhat a starting point. Lauren Conrad led the way with her basic, yet cute, style where she embraced cute skirts, blouses, blazers, dresses and tights. She went for skinny jeans most of the time and kept the fashion simple with a leather jacket, scarf or a trench. Often quite colorless and more in sophisticated shades of navy, beige and black. Flannel shirts grew in popularity and so did the use of boots and socks. Cardigans, as we know them today, were also emerging and became a fashion staple to count on. The tumblr version took it more cozy with fall colors and a lot of knitted pieces. Tights in lace or with a print, as in dots or hearts, were major!

Beauty between 2000-2010

The makeup life continued from the 90s with thin eyebrows, bright eyeshadows and a lot of bronzer. A major thing was the lipgloss that was popular for the entire decade, more or less. A lot of blush was also used and often in pink shades to get a healthy (not really) look. Smokey eyes, as we know it today, emerged and we all remember Tyra Banks, Top Model and “smize”.

The 2000s was the decade of highlights and colored hair. The highlights weren’t to look natural but often contrasting one’s hair color. As in blonde hair and brown highlights or the other way around. Colorful highlights were also popular.  Waffled hair was major to do for a night out and the Hollywood hair with volume was an it-factor. Mid part hair, as we work it today, became a popular hairstyle to do.

Spotlight of 2000-2010: High Street Fashion

It’s hard to point out a single designer that more or less changed, or influenced the fashion in a way the rewrote its course. But, so did the high street fashion shops. The 00s feels in many ways like the decade were brands as H&M,  Zara, Forever 21, Nasty Gal, Asos and found their way as influencers. Even though designers were major with their logos and celebrity focus, the 00s were more defined by the main stream shops (if you ask me). H&M began their design collaborations in this decade, which was hugh. Nasty Gal grew in popularity with the sweet and quirky fashion that suited the majority perfectly.

Fashion blogs emerged around this time and, naturally, it was easier to talk about clothes one could find in stores than exclusive designer wear. Same went for internet in general where mainstream fashion stores were more accessible to all and easier to relate to. This is just my theory though, so don’t take my words for facts. Some designers that were major during the 00s includes Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson and Alexander McQueen to mention some – but the spotlight is more worthy of the mainstream fashion as blogs and social media elevated their position completely.

Transition to 2010s

As stated, the latter half of the 00s or the last 2-3 years, laid the foundation for the fashion of today with a decluttering of accessories, colors and everything reminiscent of the 90s. The pants went high waisted again, the denim went subtles as in skinny jeans or simple 70s. The boho life skipt the crazy prints and went natural with subtle prints or basic colors when it came to the tunics. The defined leather jacket emerged and became a go-to piece. Shirts as in flannel, or basic white ones, were go-to for many. Simple cardigans to go with the blouses á la Lauren Conrad became the new basic outfit. As with all decades previously, the 00s began with the touch of 90s and ended with the emerge of our present fashion. The fashion of the late 90s and early 00s is finding it’s way back though, so who knows where we’ll end before this current fashion decade is over. We shall, however, remain grateful for the 00s’ normalization of fashion with skinny jeans, sneakers, blouses and scarves. To be noted though, that’s just a contemporary perspective!

Folks! What are your thoughts on fashion history: 2000-2010? Next week is this fashion series last post (!!!) where I’ll talk about 2010-2017 and the fashion of today. Because even though it doesn’t feel like fashion produces anything new these days: we’ve never dressed the way we do today. We might borrow styles from other decades, but we are still creating something new. More about that next week though! Xx

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