Believe it or not, Gen Z's newest Y2K fascination has nothing to do with fashion.

      Occasionally, I come across a Gen Z microtrend so bizarre that I hesitate to share it with my fellow editors. However, thanks to this weekly column, I have the opportunity to discuss it. If you’re wondering, "What could be worse than strange footwear, toe rings, and toeless socks?" Well, body gems are making a comeback in all their glittery splendor.

      Starting as a hallmark of '90s rave culture, it wasn’t until the 2000s that adorned bodies became mainstream. Back then, fashionable individuals would embellish everything (think of the blinged-out Motorola Razrs, graphic tees, and bootcut jeans of that era). Before long, the trendsetters of the time began "gemming" directly onto their skin. Recall Mariah Carey’s jeweled stick-on butterfly back "tattoos," which added a fun character to her red-carpet appearances, or Christina Aguilera’s sparkly midriff at the 2000 Latin Grammy Awards; body glamour was definitely in vogue. On magazine covers, styled with VIP ready-to-wear looks, or featured in the biggest music videos of the period, every event became a rhinestone wonderland. The more bling, the merrier.

      Yet, body gems vanished as swiftly as they appeared. Fashion quickly adopted a minimalist and effortlessly chic approach (or as we at Who What Wear UK refer to it, Phoebe Philo's interpretation of quiet luxury). Suddenly, rhinestones had no place, especially on skin. But now that fashion is shifting back toward maximalism, the allure of body gems (particularly among Gen Z) is more apparent than ever. They are playful, intentionally extravagant, uniquely kitschy, and reflect the vibrant, fun, and experimental spirit currently dominating the fashion scene.

      The endless source of nostalgic fashion references on TikTok and Instagram has allowed Gen Z to not only welcome body gems but also remix their whimsical past. Enter Zara Larsson, whose imaginative blend of aquamarine, dolphin meme aesthetics, and futuristic Barbie (aided by her exceptionally talented makeup artist, Sophia Sinot) has captivated followers; in her realm, adorning the body is essential.

      Kylie Jenner, who recently revived her 2000s "King Kylie" image, also embraces body gems, showcasing her rhinestone-studded assets, including a shoulder cuff, at Coachella this past summer. Musicians like SZA, Gen Z pop sensation Adela, and girl group KATSYE are also significantly promoting the resurgence of body gems right now. Gen Z is not merely recreating the 2000s; they are amplifying the visual language of that era into something even more vibrant. Combining nostalgia, iconic visuals, and (in my humble opinion) genuinely stylish choices, body gems are no longer just a forgotten memory of the past. They represent a tiny sparkling indicator that maximalism is back in vogue.

      Shop the Y2K Body-Gems Trend:

      - In Your Dreams: Chestpiece

      - Half Magic Beauty: Self-Adhesive Face Gems

      - MUOB: Festival Face Jewels & Gems Set

      - Superdrug: Fantasy Face Gems in Purple

      - In Your Dreams: Opal Face Gems

      - Sephora Collection: Glitter Under The Sun Holographic Face Gems