Oh, the early 2000s. A time when tiny dogs, Juicy Couture track suits, and flip phones were all the rage. Torsos were emphasized by low-rise jeans and UGG boots were fashionable all year long (don’t act like you didn’t pair them with jean shorts, too). Popcorn tops were itchy, but that didn’t stop us from sporting them every chance we got. Bermuda shorts sure didn’t do us any favors, but wearing them with a Hollister T-shirt guaranteed you a spot at the cool kids’ table. Our early 2000s fashion sense might have been trash, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t absolutely iconic.
From Paris Hilton‘s constant style statements to rom-com movie characters with all the best looks (Monique’s outfits from She’s the Man were severely underappreciated), the 2000s blessed us with so many fashion moments that will go down in history books as truly jaw-dropping. If you were guilty of wearing cargo pants and flip flops, then you have our permission to take a look back at all the cringe-worthy trends that made the early 2000s as quintessential as they were. Oh, and don’t be afraid if you’re inclined to buy a silky cami after this, because we are, too.
Related: From Bratz to Pepsi Twist, Here Are 112 Things Kids in the 2000s Will Remember
Getty / Jun Sato
Velour Track Suits, Anyone?
Getty / Frazer Harrison
Specifically, Juicy Track Suits (in Every Color)
Getty / Steve Granitz
Christina Aguilera Wore Cargo Pants and Heels, So We Wore Cargo Pants and Heels
Getty / Bill Davila
Baby Phat Clothes Were the Epitome of Cool
Getty / Matthew Simmons
Designer Jeans Were HOT (Especially True Religions)
Getty / Kevin.Mazur/INACTIVE
These Little Tees Were the Definition of Cute and Casual
Getty / Frank Micelotta
A Sequined Cropped Vest For the Win!
Getty / Michael Loccisano
Denim Dresses Were Pure Class
Getty / Frazer Harrison
What to Wear, What to Wear? How About Overalls With a Tiny Top Underneath?
Everett Collection / 20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Headbands, but Make Them Sparkly and Extremely Long
Everett Collection / 20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Whether Your Polo Was From Hollister or Abercrombie, the Popped Collar Was Essential
Getty / John Shearer
Your Shades Needed to Cover at Least 50 Percent of Your Face
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The More Embellishment on Your Combat Boots, the Better
Getty / PYMCA / Contributor
You Channeled Your Sk8r Boi Vibes in Your DC Shoes
Getty / Frank Trapper
Sequins on Everything? Sure!
Getty / Jean-Paul Aussenard
Bermuda Shorts Were High Fashion, Don't @ Us
Getty / Frank Micelotta
UGG Boots Were Worn Year-Round (Bonus Points If You Wore Them With a Skirt or Shorts)
Everett Collection / Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Long Skinny Scarves Were Cool Even When It Wasn't Winter
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Remember Wearing Jeans Under a Dress? Who Could Forget . . .
Getty / Frederick M. Brown
If You Rocked a Sequin Purse as Hard as Ashley Tisdale Did, You Can Sit With Us
Getty / Tim Roney
Cargo Pants + Camouflage = A Double Fashion Whammy
Getty / Kevin Winter
Let's Face It - Halter Tops Were the Sh*t
Getty / Jesse Grant
Who Didn't Have a Half Sweater With 1 Big Button in the Middle?
Getty / Steve Granitz
Puka Shell Necklaces Weren't Just For Surfers
Getty / Jon Kopaloff
Did You Have Gauchos in Every Color (Dressy and Casual)? Because Same.
Getty / Kurt Krieger - Corbis
Cardigans Went Over EVERY Shirt
Getty / Anthony Harvey - PA Images
Getty / Amanda Edwards
Long Flare Pants That Tatted on the Bottom From Dragging Them on the Floor? Sign Us Up
Getty / Bryan Bedder
Give Us a Chunky Studded Belt or Give Us Death
Getty / Jon Kopaloff
Did We Mention Dresses Over Jeans? Just Checking.
Getty / Evan Agostini
Jeans Never Fully Tucked Into Your Knee-High Boots (It's an "Effortless" Look, Obviously)
Getty / Lawrence Lucier
Did Someone Say Date Night? Throw on Your Lace-Trimmed Cami!
Getty / Gregg DeGuire
Newsboy Hats Were 100-Percent Hip and Stylish
Getty / Frederick M. Brown
Metallic Scrunchie Purses Were a Statement Piece, to Say the Least
Getty / Jean-Paul Aussenard
We're Down to Bring These Silky Tank Tops Back
Getty / Kevin Winter
Mini Skater Skirts = You Were Automatically Cool
Getty / Frederick M. Brown
Small Dogs Were Used as . . . Accessories?
Getty / Gregg DeGuire
Your Closet Was STOCKED With Limited Too Clothes (Thanks, Mom)
Everett Collection / Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
Graphic Tees Were Totally Rad
Getty / Scott Gries
Chokers Were All. The. Rage.
Getty / Jim Spellman
You Tried the Criss-Cross Halter Top, but No One Could Pull It Off Like Christina Aguilera
Getty / Brad Barket
Wanted: A Tiny (and We Mean Tiny) Crop Top
Getty / George Pimentel
TBH, Tiny Denim Skirts Were Actually So Cute
Getty / Katy Winn
. . . but We Also Wore Our Fair Share of Knee-Length Denim Skirts
Getty / Chad Buchanan
If Selena Can Wear a Strapless Smocked Shirt, So Can We (and We Did)
Everett Collection / 20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
A Tiny Half-Vest Over a Shirt? Yes, Please
Getty / Theo Wargo
If You Didn't Have a Necklace With Your Name on It, Who Even Were You?
Getty / Albert L. Ortega
A Long Top HAD to Be Paired With Leggings (and Don't Forget the Chunky Belt)
Getty / Paul Hawthorne
Note to Self: Must Make Sure All Designer Logos Can Be Seen
Getty / Bill Davila
Going Somewhere? Not Without Your Baby-Doll Dress!
Everett Collection / Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
Dark Jean Jackets Were a Wardrobe Must
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These Sunglasses Were Actually In . . .
Getty / Gregg DeGuire
Give Us Allll the Platform Sandals, Please
Getty / Christopher Polk
Split Shirts Were a Going-Out Essential
Getty / Lawrence Lucier
Flaunting Your 7 For All Mankind Jeans That You Got at Nordstrom Rack Was Too Fun
Getty / Amanda Edwards
And How About the Chains on Your Jeans? The More the Merrier!
Everett Collection / DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett Collection
Your Belt Placement Didn't Have to Make Sense
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But Really, Did Any of It Make Sense?
