We can mourn the return of the Y2K look, but we can also admit it has some

It has been mumbled for a while in all kinds of (online) articles: the return of the Y2K style. In other words, the style that was in vogue with a certain kind of celebrity in the first half of the nineties. Grumbled, because in general that comeback is not received with cheers by the writers of these pieces. Rather, there is disapproval and even disgust that we are once more exposed to the aberrations that this style entails. Think of the ultra-low-rise trousers that give a generous look to the resulting construction worker plunging neckline, graced with exposed thongs. Or the velor jogging suits where the word ‘juicy’ is spelled out in letters of rhinestones on the buttocks. Also the Y2K unicorn color palette, with a pronounced preference for the color barbie pink, can usually not count on much enthusiasm.

Admittedly, the paparazzi photos from that time (the heyday of paparazzi street photography) are not exactly pleasing to the eye when viewed through fashion glasses. Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan and the likes come and go, stumbling out of clubs drunkenly, dressed in dazzling garments that are often so tight and small that bellies, buttocks and breasts fall out from all sides. No, the Y2K style certainly doesn’t deserve the predicates tasteful or chic, that’s what people actually thought at the time and almost everyone was therefore happy that it had been buried forever.

We thought, because this style is now being excavated and revalued by a new generation. We can grieve about that, but we can also secretly admit that that Y2K look does have something. That shamelessly vulgar, the unbridled confidence with which body parts are shown off, the hysterical gaiety of the colours. Those are things that you also wish a new generation, born after the year 2000. And by the way, aren’t trends much more fun anyway if you can thwart guardians of good taste with them? When it comes to clothing, there’s currently nothing more rebellious than dressing up in tiny tops, ass crack-revealing pants, bubblegum colors and glitter, with a chain around the naked belly and butterfly pins in her hair. You could almost call it the punk of today. And that’s why this piece isn’t disgusted by the return of Y2K style. On the contrary, it is warmly welcomed.