Comeback kids: 5 fashion trends from the 2000s now seen on Gen Zers

SINGAPORE – Have you spotted any Gen Z outfits recently and felt whiplashed back to the 2000s? 

Think back to the designs worn by socialite and reality TV star Paris Hilton, 43, or ex-actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, both 38, more than 20 years ago.

Many Gen Zers – born between 1997 and 2012 – are now discovering these looks for the first time and embracing these trends of yesteryear.

Bayonetta glasses

The geeky look of thin or rimless glasses that Gen Zers scorned just a few years ago is now in style.

The term Bayonetta glasses references the titular character of a Japanese action-adventure video game, Bayonetta (2009), who dons a pair of thin-framed glasses. Most notably worn by supermodel Gisele Bundchen in The Devil Wears Prada (2006), these glasses exude what Gen Zers are calling corporate or librarian chic.

The search term “corporate chic” saw a 950 per cent increase from April 2023 to April 2024, according to Pinterest’s Summer 2024 Trend Report. An 870 per cent increase was observed in searches for “geek chic”. 

The best part of this trend: You can get your hands on a pair at your local optician, if you do not want to go big with luxury iterations. 

Model Belicia Gwee, 25, bought her pair in May from South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster. She wears the Jennie Barrette 02 ($520), part of a limited-edition collaboration with K-pop idol Jennie from girl group Blackpink.

To Ms Gwee, who wears spectacles in daily life, Bayonetta glasses help elevate an outfit. She says anyone can style them by going for outfits that are Y2K, grungy or smart casual. 

Skirts over pants

Remember a time when you wore leggings under dresses? This layered look is synonymous with tween stars of the 2000s, seen in the red-carpet looks of former child star Ashley Tisdale, 39, and ex-Teen Queen Miley Cyrus, 31, during their Disney days.

Refreshed for today’s tastes, this look is far from frumpy, with softer, lighter fabrics like polyester employed by brands.

For instance, American designer Sandy Liang tapped the trend with the Sound Pant (US$395 or S$530), part of her Spring/Summer 2024 collection, which features a miniskirt with built-in flared pants.

The fashion label, popular among Gen Zers for its coquettish bow motifs and collaborations, is one of the most sought-after brands by young fashion enthusiasts today. To It girls everywhere, Liang putting her own spin on a trend signals its true return.

For Gen Zers, much of this skirt-with-pants appeal lies in the way they can mix and match items they already own.

Ms Chen Heng-Yi, 21, a law student at the National University of Singapore (NUS), frequently incorporates layering in her outfits and can often be spotted wearing a pair of pants under a skirt or dress.

“I didn’t purchase anything new for this trend. That’s another fun thing about it – it’s a lot more about styling than the pieces themselves,” she says. “I find it exciting that I can experiment with new textures and materials to make old outfits completely new.”

For those feeling intimidated by the trend, she recommends starting with a dress instead of a skirt, or playing around with different textures if you are going for a monochromatic look.

Ballet flats

Ballet flats are now back in style.

You might recall popular brands such as French ballet shoe company Repetto, which collaborated with luxury brands such as Commes des Garcons and Issey Miyake in the early 2000s.

What sparked this silhouette’s recent revival were Miu Miu’s Satin Ballerinas ($1,470), which made their first appearance in the brand’s Autumn/Winter 2022 collection. 

A medical student at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 22-year-old Megan Loo says ballet flats have been her go-to footwear since she purchased her first two pairs in Seoul in October 2023.

“They’re timeless and versatile, making every outfit slightly more feminine,” she says, adding that they can also be affordable, as hers cost less than $20 from South Korean brand Chaakan. “I love them in deep tones like cherry red and navy, or nude colours, because they just look so classic.”

Jorts

Baggy, over-the-knee jean shorts – better known as jorts – have become a staple in every Gen Zer’s wardrobe.

According to Google Trends, looking at the last five years, searches for “jorts” in Singapore hit an all-time high in June.

The trend borrows from the style of popular hip-hop artistes of the 2000s, such as American rapper Missy Elliott, 53.

These days, the silhouette is most commonly associated with pop singer Billie Eilish, 22. From her stage outfits to street style, Eilish is almost always sporting a pair of jorts.

Their appeal? Being weather-appropriate in warm, humid Singapore.

Ms Celest Wong, 22, a business administration student at the Singapore Management University, got hers from a thrift store in Johor Bahru in December 2023 for less than $10.

Although she owns just one pair, she has been able to style them in various ways.

“I like pairing jorts with smaller, more feminine tops to juxtapose the bagginess of it,” she says. “On days when I just want to be comfortable, I would wear a boxy T-shirt but accessorise heavily, or opt for a louder pair of shoes.”

Statement belts

Go big or go home – that is the guideline for belts these days. Take style cues from pop stars like Beyonce and Britney Spears, both 42, and the statement belts they flaunted in the early years of their careers.

Throw a fun, chunky belt over any pair of bottoms – jeans, maxi skirts, shorts – or even a dress. Setting the standard these days is model Bella Hadid, 27, who is often snapped wearing a statement belt in her day-to-day outfits. 

Model Hana Carlesater, 19, has been adding a statement belt to most outfits since she was 16. “It brings something new to a silhouette and elevates even simple denim jeans, making them more colourful and textured,” she says. 

The NUS law student borrows pieces from her mother, such as a vintage Ed Hardy belt, and her mother’s friends. 

Ms Carlesater’s top style tip for chunky belts is to pair them with baggy, wide-leg or boot-cut jeans, along with a top that matches its colour or vibe.