Y2K IS HERE TO STAY AND IS IT REALLY ALL THAT BAD?
By Talitha Ward
What was quickly (and maybe with an inkling of hope) dismissed as a fad has us all biting our tongues. Mesh tops, loose denim and playful jewellery has not only continued to grace Instagram feeds and runways alike, but it is being deemed a trend to watch for the Autumn Winter season.
Love it or hate it, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the Y2K trend is here to stay. It is a chance for millennials to erase their fashion faux pas with more stylish renditions and for Gen Z to have their hand at the equally iconic and tragic styles of the decade. Here at LDC, we are firm believers that sustainability and micro trends do not go hand in hand. You would be surprised how quickly you slide right into the noughties by combining playful pieces with your wardrobe ‘fail safes’.
PLAYFUL
Something that is hard to deny about the early 2000s is the sheer fun of it all. Without the pressure to conform to a particular aesthetic or curate a cohesive Instagram persona, style was explorative, daring and unashamed. While the small flirts with gaudiness may be not be for everyone, the spirit of Y2K is undeniably authentic and boundless. To channel all the noughties energy, we obviously had to start with the Ada Cut Out Mesh Top by Conflict of Ego. If we’ve ever seen a piece more perfectly align with a trend, it’s this one - and, unlike most “trendy” pieces, it is ethically handmade in the UK! The distressed denim of the ‘noughts was undoubtedly cool and so are the World Lovers Jeans by Fanfare. Not only super stylish, they are a part of Fanfare’s Upcycled Collection making them sustainable and one-of-a-kind. The Palmero shoulder bag in Nero by Lobos is the perfect piece to complete this ethical take on a trendy look.
STATEMENT
The trucker hat, Ed Hardy baby tee and low-rise jean trifecta may be flooding your social media feeds but, no fear, that is not what we mean when we say statement. When done right a Y2K look can be equally fun and stylish. What we love about trends is how unique they are to the person wearing them. Our approach is to take a combo of staple and statement pieces and, channeling a little bit of inspo, style it with our own individual twist. When working with slightly bolder pieces, choosing a hero piece and styling around it helps to create an easy harmonious aesthetic. We chose the Printed Stamp 80s Flares by Velasquez as our statement piece. Pairing them with the Anna Bekere Petal Silk Top and the Eva Aquamarine Reversible Necklace by Amadeus creates a look that is both á la mode and classic.
LOW KEY
The Raffia Olive Cross Over Top by Storm Label nods to a hallmark of the 2000s – the halter top. Paired with everything from low-rise denim to ultra-mini skirts, the halter was a staple in most wardrobes. While there have been numerous interpretations of this piece, we love the contemporary aesthetic of the Raffia Top. We chose to pair it with the Face Embroidered Jeans by Fanfare to juxtapose the femininity of the top and give a little more of that Y2K edge. Slip on a pair of platform trainers, like the Franco 620 Skate Trainers by Trash Planet, to really elevate the skater aesthetic to a look Avril herself would be proud of. This low-key trifecta is the ultimate subtle statement, perfect for those days when you want to stylishly fly under the radar.
LUXE
To some, Y2K screams youth – possibly due to its seemingly permanent reign in the TikTok sphere. But we’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – it’s all about individual style. Trends are entirely up to interpretation and way more versatile than social media will have you believe. For a more luxe approach, we love the Lara Silk Corset by Conflict of Ego. Ethically handcrafted in the UK, it is equally as striking as it is sustainable. Styling it with a pair of leather straight leg trousers, like the Nora Cynical Black Pants by Aggi, makes for a sophisticated take on a trend that can edge on chronic youthfulness. A pair of kitten heels is the ultimate addition to any Y2K look. We love how the Femmis Bronzè heels elevate this fit and ensure a highly stylized finish.
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