When scrolling through social media, walking across campus or even taking a stroll through downtown Auburn, chances are one can notice the trends from the early 2000s seem to be making a comeback in modern fashion.
The early 2000s had fashions such as bright highlights in hair, low rise jeans and claw hair clips.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has also been a surge in the popularity of loungewear and matching sweatsuit sets. One of the trends of 2021 so far is matching velour sweatsuits similar to the Juicy Couture tracksuits of the early 2000s.
Some of the main inspirations for these early 2000s trends seem to come from users on TikTok. Recently, there has been a theme among TikTok users to create content inspired by early 2000s movies, music and especially fashion.
Abby Williamson, junior in apparel merchandising, said she thinks these trends are popular because of a longing for nostalgia.
“People looking at pictures from the past and wanting to go back, but they can’t do that so instead they dress like it,” Williamson said. “Recently on TikTok, kids have been obsessed with films from the 2000s, and I think that has influenced the 2000s coming back.”
As for how these trends have made their way to Auburn and to our campus, Williamson said she has seen these trends return among students and has even incorporated some into her personal style.
Williamson said some of these pieces include low-rise denim, puffy jackets, yoga pants and heeled flip flops.
“I love yoga pants and never really stopped wearing them but have started wearing them with a cute sweatshirt layered with a turtleneck underneath to make it more cute [and] casual,” Williamson said. “Puffy jackets are one of my staples. I own three because I’m obsessed and think they’re such a fun way to make a casual outfit cute.”
Williamson said in her apparel merchandising classes they have discussed how trends from each decade are circular, and once one trend fades out it will most likely come back into style at some point.
With any fashion trend, there are usually a few things that people hope never come back into style.
“[For me] I really did not want to see low rise denim come back, and I know I’m not alone on that one,” she said. “But I do hope to see bubble skirts make a comeback; I think they’re so fun and flirty.”
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Kara Mautz, senior in human development and family studies with a minor in journalism, is a culture writer at The Auburn Plainsman.
