Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

8 Movies For Peak Y2K Style Inspiration

8 Movies For Peak Y2K Style Inspiration

We’ve got your next Sunday brunch ‘fit covered

Y2K fashion has been all the rage in recent months, and understandably soขafter all, given the year we’ve all endured, who wouldn’t want to regress to the simpler days when Juicy Couture velour tracksuits and feather extensions were the pinnacle of fashionable dress? For those who are unaware, Y2K is the shorthand term for “the year 2000,” and refers to a widespread panic that took place in 1999 when people worried that computers would no longer be able to operate at the turn of the millennium, given that up to that point, computers only allowed for two digits rather for the year rather than four (ex. 99 instead of 1999).

Long story short, the Y2K scare ended up having been slightly overstated, and with a few preventative measures, everything turned out largely to be fine. The culture-defining fashion trends that arose in the years that followed, such as colorful hair clips, hoop earrings, mini skirts, and crop tops, eventually became dubbed Y2K fashion and were heavily influenced by Black culture and hip hop, which continue to play a significant role in influencing what is considered fashionable dress.

Today, these trends have risen to prominence once again, and it’s safe to say that if a return to any of the early 2000s styles depicted in these movies is what post-pandemic fashion has in store for us, we are far from disappointed. Here, check out the eight best movies for Y2K fashion inspiration.

Legally Blonde (2001)




Remember when Reese Witherspoon invented feminism? Elle Woods’ journey from California socialite with a good wardrobe to California socialite with a good wardrobe and a Harvard Law degree was not only a serve to her shallow ex-boyfriend, Warner, but a lesson in female empowerment. And also, good taste (in both men and clothes).

Coyote Ugly (2000)




Coyote Ugly tells the story of a cowboy-themed dive bar in Manhattan’s East Village that employs the business tactic of hiring beautiful employees (played by actresses by the likes of Tyra Banks and Piper Perabo) to maximize profits. From low-rise jeans and belly-button piercings to fringed halter-neck tops and middle parts, the looks served in Coyote Ugly were everything Y2K realness. Last year, Banks announced that a Coyote Ugly revival is in the works, so it's possible that the best is yet to come.

Bring it On (2000)




This cult classic stars Gabrielle Union-Wade and Kirsten Dunst as rival high school cheerleading team captains battling it out to become national champions. As competition between the two teams heats up, top-notch outfits that perfectly meld femininity and athleticism ensue, featuring baggy camo pants, sexy, half-buttoned cardigans, cropped hoodies, and more.

Jawbreaker (1999)




In a way, it can be said that Jawbreaker walked so Pretty Little Liars could run. The dark cult comedy follows a group of popular, exceptionally-dressed teenage socialites who scramble to cover up their accidental murdering of one of their best friends. They deal with their dilemma the way all problems were solved in '90s teenager movies—by plucking up a female dork with deeply-buried prom queen potential to make over in a process that involves a plethora of tube tops, color blocking, and kitten heels.

John Tucker Must Die (2006)




This zany rom-com featuring Ashanti, Penn Badgley, Brittany Snow, and others, depicts four scorned high school girls who come together to seek revenge against the guy who broke their hearts (you guessed it, John Tucker). Although the majority of their antics end up going awry, their outfits never miss, as they don belly-baring shirts, jean miniskirts, and studded belts (think Claire's circa 2008) in peak 2000s style.

13 Going on 30 (2004)




When 13-year-old Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen) finds herself bogged down by the awkwardness and discomfort of teenagerdom, she makes a wish that she could be 30ขand gets her wish granted. As a 30-year-old (played by Jennifer Garner), she learns to appreciate the process of growing into herself, however tedious it may be at times. Luckily for viewers, both the 13-year-old and the 30-year-old Jenna have impeccable Y2K style, sporting outfits and accessories ranging from pink slip dresses with floral embroidering to chandelier earrings and chunky, open-toed heels.

The Hot Chick (2002)




Before her iconic portrayal of Regina George, Queen of the Plastics, Rachel McAdams played yet another beautiful-but-evil high school girl: Jessica Spencer. Rather than being forced to appreciate the importance of treating others with kindness by inadvertently consuming a bunch of Kälteen bars, gaining a ton of weight, and then getting hit by a bus, Spencer comes to realize the importance of being a good person when she swaps bodies with an older man named Clive and sees the world through his eyes. A hilarious movie chock-full of Y2K pieces like denim vests, boot-cut jeans, silver chain belts, and candy-striped crop tops, The Hot Chick should be in the rotation of any early 2000s movie-lover.

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004)




Early aughts It girl Lindsay Lohan portrays Lola, an aspiring Broadway actress whose high career hopes are dashed when her family makes the abrupt decision to move from the Big Apple to the suburbs of New Jersey. There, she meets Carla Santini (Megan Fox), a popular girl at Lola's new school with whom serious cattiness erupts—but not without some early 2000s chicness in the form of metallic berrets, layered henleys, and fishnets.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Altman Says GPT-5 Already Outpaces Him, Warns AI Could Automate 40% of Work
Russian Research Vessel 'Yantar' Tracked Mapping Europe’s Subsea Cables, Raising Security Alarms
Global Cruise Industry Posts Dramatic Comeback with 34.6 Million Passengers in 2024
U.S. Demands Brussels Scrutinize Digital Rules to Prevent Bias Against American Tech
Private Equity’s Fundraising Surge Triggers Concern of European Market Shake-Out
Tokyo’s Jimbōchō Named World’s Coolest Neighbourhood for 2025
European Officials Fear Trump May Shift Blame for Ukraine War onto EU
The Personality Rights Challenge in India’s AI Era
Italy Considers Freezing Retirement Age at 67 to Avert Scheduled Hike
Italian City to Impose Tax on Visiting Dogs Starting in 2026
Study Finds No Safe Level of Alcohol for Dementia Risk
Trump Says Ukraine Can Fully Restore Borders with NATO Backing
Europe Signals Stronger Support for Taiwan at Major Taipei Defence Show
Germany Weighs Excluding France from Key European Fighter Jet Programme
Cyberattack Disrupts Check-in and Boarding Systems at Major European Airports
Björn Borg Breaks Silence: Memoir Reveals Addiction, Shame and Cancer Battle
When Extremism Hijacks Idealism: How the Baader-Meinhof Gang Emerged and Fell
JWST Data Brings TRAPPIST-1e Closer to Earth-Like Habitability
Trump Orders $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas and Launches ‘Gold Card’ Immigration Pathway
France’s Looming Budget Crisis and Political Fracture Raise Fears of Becoming Europe’s “Sick Man”
Three Russian MiG-31 Jets Breach Estonian Airspace in ‘Unprecedentedly Brazen’ NATO Incident
European manufacturers against ban on polluting cars: "The industry may collapse"
Turkish car manufacturer Togg Enters German Market with 5-Star Electric Sedan and SUV to Challenge European EV Brands
Christian Brueckner Released from German Prison after Serving Unrelated Sentence
World’s Longest Direct Flight China Eastern to Launch 29-Hour Shanghai–Buenos Aires Direct Flight via Auckland in December
New OpenAI Study Finds Majority of ChatGPT Use Is Personal, Not Professional
The conservative right spreads westward: a huge achievement for 'Alternative for Germany' in local elections
Pope Leo Warns of Societal Crisis Over Mega-CEO Pay, Citing Tesla’s Proposed Trillion-Dollar Package
Poland Green-Lights NATO Deployment in Response to Major Russian Drone Incursion
U.S. and China Agree on Framework to Shift TikTok to American Ownership
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
×