Y2K Fashion Is Still ‘Da Bomb’ With Consumers
Y2K fashion is having a moment again and it’s bringing Millennials back to their glory days, minus the roll-on glitter eyeshadow, oversized mid-section belts and moonboot footwear. In the 20 years since the trend’s heyday, an era marked by boy bands, rave culture and the dot-com boom, Y2K-inspired styles have become more polished, pulling core aesthetics such as metal accents, jewel tones and the use of vivid colors.
In their personal wardrobes, consumers are again embracing velour tracksuits—think Juicy Couture circa 2002—and baby tees, as well as wide-leg jeans, chunky sneakers,pleated skirts, reflective jackets, baguette bags and colorful sunglasses. And yes, just in case you’re wondering, trucker hats are also making a comeback—thank you, Von Dutch and Supreme.
Here are a few’90s-esque wearables to elevate your next Y2K-inspired campaign, collection or event.
The ’90s embraced the oversized white t-shirt, or tall tee, which became a staple of hip-hop fashion at this time. A white teealso offers the perfect clean canvas for small, but well-designed brand logos to stand out. The Unisex Cotton Long Body T-Shirt offers a similar fit to the old-school white tee with a longer length and features a crew neck.
Next Level Apparel / PPAI 272027,S3 /
Long live the denim jacket, or more specifically, denim jackets with Sherpa accents, which became popular in the ’90s. The Threadfast Apparel Unisex Sherpa-Lined Denim Jacket features Sherpa and sleeve lining that’s made from 100% recycled polyester, sourced from plastic water bottles. This product is part of the Plant with Threadfast program, which commits to planting one tree per case of products sold. Available in black and light denim/off white (shown).
alphabroder Prime Line / PPAI 156993, S16 /
Back in the day, celebrities sported the widely-popular trucker cap left and right, from Ashton Kutcher and Gwen Stefani to Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and David Beckham. Stir up feel-good nostalgia with the Washed Soft Mesh, which features a fine soft mesh for maximum comfort. A light garment wash gives it a lived-in, well-loved feel. Available in 15 colors, shown in navy grey.
Paramount Apparel International, Inc. / PPAI 133496, S8 /
No nineties closet was complete without at least one micro crop top—just ask Liv Tyler, Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, and all the other stars who donned them to all their events. The Women’s Poly-Cotton Crop Tee offers a form-fitting silhouette with a super soft hand. Shown in heather olive.
BELLA + CANVAS / PPAI 304892, S6 /
If you’re ever wondering how transparent plastic backpacks became popular in the ’90s, it was originally to’90s allow teachers and parents to keep a watchful eye on what students were carrying.The Port Authority® Clear Backpack can double for a fashion bag, while also meeting the clear bag policies for concerts, stadiums and high-security places. Details include adjustable, padded shoulder straps, a mesh side pocket, and a zippered main compartment and front pocket.
SanMar / PPAI 110788, S16 /
Brightly-colored sunglass frames were among the most-popular trends of the ’90s, and the Velvet Touch Malibu Sunglasses bring it full circle. UV lenses provide 100% UVA and UVB protection. Available in 12 colors, shown in orange.
Hit Promotional Products / PPAI 113190, S13 /