Why La La Anthony Is Rewearing All Her Favorite 2000s Fashion Trends

For many millennials, growing up in the '90s and '00s meant one show typically dominated your after-school routine: "Total Request Live." Affectionately called "TRL," the show aired on MTV for 10 years, from 1998 to 2008, and featured a roster of VJs (video jockeys) who counted down the top 10 music videos of the day. Few people understand the cultural impact of "TRL" better than La La Anthony.

In the early 2000s, Anthony was getting her big break as a "TRL" host. Interviewing superstars back then undoubtedly prepared her for some of the roles she's stepped into recently, like hosting Vogue's Met Gala red carpet live stream in May.

For fashion's most celebrated occasion, Anthony opted for an open-shoulder, burgundy dress by her friend LaQuan Smith. "I wanted to support him, [and] I wanted to support a Black designer," Anthony tells POPSUGAR. "We just played around with the Gilded Glamour theme. We were really happy with how everything turned out. It was a great collaboration and definitely a look I'll remember forever."

She paired the dramatic silk gown with a striking Laurel Dewitt headpiece, slightly tilted toward one side. On the accessory front, she chose diamonds by David Yurman, including teardrop diamond earrings and bracelets. Christian Louboutin heels were the finishing touch. "Bringing in the hat made it feel like Gilded Glamour," Anthony says. "There were Swarovski crystals all throughout the outfit, which gave it that extra pop of glamour. We hit [the theme] in a couple different departments; I love the rich ruby color. It put me in that Gilded Glamour mindset."

As an ambassador for PrettyLittleThing, the 39-year-old actress, author, producer, and entrepreneur is looking to channel some of those lavish design flourishes into her latest edit for the ecommerce giant. With 20 looks total, Anthony's curation — which she describes as "edgy and bold" — features pieces that are easy to mix and match depending on your summer style.

"There are prints and bright colors that can be taken from day to night," she says. "I always feel like with outfits, you want to be able to get so many uses out of them."

Anthony is especially fond of the coral matching set in her new PLT edit that includes a bandeau top and wide-leg pants, both of which are hallmarks of 2000s fashion. "A lot of the dresses are really cool, too," she adds. "They have cutouts in all the right places to give you that sexy, edgy vibe."

With 2000s fashion trends top of mind, Anthony walked POPSUGAR through the nostalgic styles she wore during her "TRL" days that she's likely to re-create today.

Trucker Hats
Getty | Scott Gries

Trucker Hats

"Love [trucker hats] across the board. I'm glad those are making a comeback. I have a bunch of them. I feel like they can turn any outfit and just [make it] better. Even if it's a dressy outfit with a trucker hat or joggers and a crop top with a trucker hat, you can put it with anything and really make it look great."

Halter Tops
Getty | Mark Mainz

Halter Tops

"Love, love, love [halter tops]. And it's also part of the PrettyLittleThing edit. There's some halter tops that are really good. They pull you up in the right way. They pull everything together."

Polo Shirts
Getty | Peter Kramer

Polo Shirts

"I don't mind them, actually. When I think of them, that's [what] I buy my son. With the right outfit, sometimes even if you tie them up and do a little crop situation, it can be really cool."

Velour Sweatsuits
Getty | Bennett Raglin

Velour Sweatsuits

"I just got some of those in the mail. They're definitely making a comeback. I like them. I'm also a basketball mom, so I'm at the gym a lot with my son. Those are the perfect outfits to wear in the gym and still look cool and on trend, but not like you're doing too much."

Low-Rise Jeans
Getty | Jeff Kravitz

Low-Rise Jeans

"Not my personal favorite; I'm more of a high-waisted type of jeans person."