NOSTALGIA FOR NOUGHTIES FASHION

Fashion trend analysts have theorised that fashion generally moves in a pendulum swing of decade-long cycles. Last year, we saw the return of 90s-inspired fashion. Now, we’ve moving onto the next decade: the noughties, a style-defining decade.

Fashion finds inspiration from a variety of sources, from cultures (often blurring the lines between appreciation and appropriation) to time periods and everything in-between.Whether you choose to care about it or not, these trends impact the fabric of society and its influence trickles down to you. If further clarity is needed on this, the movie The Devil Wears Prada has all the answers.

A DECADE OF RENEWED ENERGY

In the first 10 years of the 2000s, pop truly had its golden hour, asdidmobilephones.Destiny’sChildandJ.Lowerethe“kiff”,and then came punk princess Avril Lavigne and the likes of Sean Paul and Nelly heated things up.

This decade was all about being flashy, quite literally. Technological advancements in fashion production meant clothing was shiny and the colours covered a range of metallic hues. Pops of colour were popular too, which we’re now also seeing making a comeback.

While we may remember parts of the decade fondly, much like any period, there are trends which are better left behind. Tattooed lower backs (so-called tramp stamps), newsboy hats and heavily streaked hair (frosted tips, anyone?) top this list, as do platform flip-flops, wide belts and the notoriously awful Ugg boots.

Accessories were universally gaudy, with butterfly clips and plastic chokers abounding. In terms of makeup, frosted lipsticks and lip-gloss were it. Sunnies were big, rimless and tinted, often in shades of blue. Bucket hats and baguette bags (long, tiny bags with little straps) proved to be defining trends.

As we head into the new decade – the roaring 20s – society may have that same feeling of renewed energy as it did at the start of this century, despite the tough times we face.These trends present us with the chance to revisit the best that that decade had to offer. After all, it was during this period that people started to become more aware (or “woke”, to use a modern term), with the circulation of charitable rubber wristbands and the Black Eyed Peas asking us the ever-important question:“Where is the love?”

THE NEW TAKE ON NOUGHTIES FASHION

So, let’s get down to the specifics. What can you expect to see on the rails as we see the return of noughties fashion?

What we’re seeing for both men and women is the upgrading of streetwear to a more grown-up aesthetic. We’re still enjoying

everything we love about the look, but there is a focus on tailoring and a move toward formalwear which is steadily overtaking the casual look.

In the season’s style flashbacks to the early 2000s, expect to see key items that’ll take you back.The decade was all about showcasing the body. During this period, it was all about the arms and midriff. With that, we’re seeing a return of halter-neck tops.These were very prominent and will be once more, putting the shoulders and arms on display. With crop-tops and tummy exposure, is has never been cooler to have a belly ring.

While we may be leaving the lower-rise denims with bootleg flares, there is a focus on the back with the emergence of backless blouses. Denim is becoming increasingly ecoconscious, sustainably made and forgoing harsh dyes and heavy water usage.

Now cast your mind back to utility pants.They were a massive trend, oftentimes with zips that allowed you to transform your

full-length pants to cropped ones. The update on this is utility shorts, crisp jackets and tech trench coats in neutral colours.

There was a Bohemian trend during the noughties, and this is being brought forward to 2020.While last season saw the prairie girl trend blossom, the updated version is a crisper take on the style, with draped blouses.

Anytime a 2000s girl wanted to smarten up her look, she’d opt for a blazer. This season they’re back, with soft waists, as minimalistic, sleek outerwear. Leopard print was also a major trend of the time, though this season we see animal print returning in the form of tortoiseshell patterns.

We really can’t talk about noughties fashion without mentioning the word bedazzle. It was so popular to customise one’s outfits by encrusting them with jewel-like adornments.The way to wear that this season is to look out for bejewelled trims.

Clothing rails will soon see an influx of noughties-inspired fashion trends.The question is, which ones fit your style today?

Anytime a noughties girl wanted to smarten up her look, she’d opt for a blazer. This season they’re back, with soft waists as minimal and sleek outerwear wardrobe pieces.