In the 1990s and 2000s, extremely thin bodies were exclusively celebrated. Various articles have illustrated the changes in beauty standards throughout history regarding the ideal body type for women, with changes in fashion signifying a change in the ideal body type and each decade promoting a different ideal body type and size. Y2K in the 1990s-2000s was inherently linked with thinness, rigidly encouraging people to conform with this standard in order to access this style, while ostracizing anyone who wore larger sizes. Others have highlighted the exclusivity of Y2K clothing, which was specifically designed to fit and emphasize thin bodies, while often not being available in larger sizes, with one person stating that the ‘most famous accessory of the 2000s was skinny’.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Y2K clothing sparked anguish within the body image of many, with Angela Benedict stating it was ‘like the clothing was built in a way that made your body look distorted’, and arguing that Y2K fashion ‘gave’ her an eating disorder. Y2K in the 1990s-2000s was inherently linked with thinness, rigidly encouraging people to conform with this standard in order to access this style, while ostracizing anyone who wore larger sizes However, many people who lived through the era from which it originates have raised concerns about the implications of this Y2K revival, such as the impact it will have on beauty standards. It is easy to see the appeal of Y2K fashion, considering the aesthetics’ colourful, bold makeup looks, bright, vibrant clothing and lots of accessories. This style of fashion contrasts massively with high waisted jeans which have been popularised during the 2010s, such as mom jeans.
Y2K, a style which dominated the late 1990s and mid 2000s, includes crop tops and vests with various logos and graphics, denim mini skirts, and low-waisted jeans. Y2K has become popular on TikTok, the costumes in Euphoria are influenced by Y2K fashion, and celebrities such as Bella Hadid and Alexa Demie have been seen wearing Y2K style outfits. Recently, fashion trends of late 1990s-2000s have seen a resurgence in popularity. Content Warning: this article contains discussions of body image and eating disorders.