Not Ugg Boots, Not Low-Rise Jeans—Here Are the Y2K Trends That Are Most Significant This Summer.

      Although many years have gone by since the start of the 2000s, fashion has come back around and is embracing the extravagant and vivid style that was prominent in the early years of the century. As we head towards another lively summer—less rebellious than in past years but still indulgent—every indication suggests that the look will be influenced by the 2000s. Indeed, Y2K fashion is making a resurgence. Instead of the flashy Motorola Razr flip phones, Isabel Marant Beckett wedge sneakers, and Gwen Stefani’s debut solo album *Love. Angel. Music. Baby* to accompany our drives in Regina George-inspired convertibles, we now have prebiotic sodas, reissues of the Balenciaga City bag, and the captivating sounds of Slayyyter's punk-meets-club album *Worst Girl in America*. Some things remain timeless since their early 2000s introduction—rhinestone-embellished velour will forever have a place in our hearts, micro mini skirts will always be in style, and lace-trim camisoles will always pair well with ultra-low rise jeans. Amy Bannerman, eBay UK's style director, notes that Y2K fashion continues to resonate due to its “unapologetic excess.”

      “From sequins worn during the day to slogan tees and oversized sunglasses, these unconventional layering choices somehow worked—it was both glamorous and chaotic!” she adds. “People now romanticize that sense of freedom because fashion has become so refined and algorithmic. It feels almost mythical because it was a time characterized by more creativity and freedom, prior to the online self-curation trend.” This sense of unfettered dressing is evident in every aspect of fashion, especially reflected in the joy of dressing up seen on the spring/summer 2026 runways, reinforcing the idea that fashion is embracing a touch of the noughties once again. Looking ahead to this summer, the Y2K revival will encompass a wide range, showcasing every subculture and micro-movement from that era. “The early 2000s were all about 'more is more': metallics, tiny tops, trucker hats, velour tracksuits, and everything adorned with rhinestones,” Bannerman comments. “By the late 2000s, styles shifted to darker, moodier, grungier, and more rock-and-roll. Consider: skinny jeans, oversized leather jackets, American Apparel disco pants, Alexander McQueen skull scarves, heavy eyeliner, and lots of layering.” Both sides of this aesthetic will reappear, with Bannerman observing that it’s this “glossy yet trashy aspect of Y2K fashion” that is drawing people back after a phase focused on minimalism and quiet luxury. Below, we explore the prominent Y2K fashion trends making a comeback this summer. From revived subcultures to the brands best capturing these styles, it’s time to revisit the past. As Madonna famously stated, time moves slowly…

      **6 Y2K Trends Making a Comeback for Summer 2026**

      **1. Bel Air Brat**

      Los Angeles’ affluent lifestyles in the 2000s, with their tiny dogs and chunky flip-flops, set the foundation for what Y2K fashion would eventually memorialize. It was an era where infamy could lead to real celebrity status, making it essential to be photographed by paparazzi while shopping on Robertson Boulevard. Figures like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie embodied the Bel Air brat lifestyle, flaunting Juicy Couture velour while sipping Urth Caffe mocha lattes. Nowadays, you’ll find the next generation of this cohort, including Amelia Grey, a supermodel and daughter of a *Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* star, picking up iced matcha in low-slung Adanola sweats or capri track pants. So, don something that makes you feel like an extra in *The Hills* or Sofia Coppola’s *The Bling Ring*, reveling in its bubblegum pink, bimbo-turned-businesswoman aesthetic.

      **Shop the Trend:**

      - Free People: Dance Til Dawn Halter Cami

      - Manolo Blahnik: Sumbasan Satin Sandals

      - Gucci: Half Horsebit Mini Bag

      - Chloé Eyewear: Tortoiseshell Sunglasses

      - Reformation: Marysia Dress

      - Gucci: Satin-Jacquard Track Jacket

      **2. Secretarial Sleaze**

      Gisele Bündchen's memorable, albeit brief, cameo in *The Devil Wears Prada*, complete with bespeckled glasses and body-hugging business casual attire, encapsulated the rise of corporate fashion throughout the 2000s. These outfits are likely to earn you a reprimand for violating office dress codes—think Bridget Jones and her infamous skirt—but the mix of structured pieces with sensual elements is undeniably a classic Y2K style. Today’s sheer abundance of skin-tight