Oh, the early 2000s [1]. 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 [2] might have been trash, but that doesn't mean it wasn't absolutely iconic.
From Paris Hilton [3]'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 [4] 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 [5]. Oh, and don't be afraid if you're inclined to buy a silky cami after this, because we are, too.
Velour Track Suits, Anyone?
Juicy Couture Women's Bling Velour Tracksuit [7] ($119, originally $200)
Specifically, Juicy Track Suits (in Every Color)
Juicy Couture Women's Bling Velour Tracksuit [8] ($165, originally $200)
Christina Aguilera Wore Cargo Pants and Heels, So We Wore Cargo Pants and Heels
Wit & Wisdom Ankle Tapered Twill Cargo Pants [9] ($88)
Baby Phat Clothes Were the Epitome of Cool
Baby Phat Heritage Zip-Up Hoodie [10] ($95)
Designer Jeans Were HOT (Especially True Religions)
True Religion Becca Flap Pocket Bootcut Jeans [11] ($100)
These Little Tees Were the Definition of Cute and Casual
Le Sport Graphic Fitted Baby Tees [12] ($35)
A Sequined Cropped Vest For the Win!
Sequin Short Sleeve Open Front Shrug [13] ($16)
Denim Dresses Were Pure Class
Gap Denim Mini Dress [14] ($70)
Camouflage Was So Fetch
Marc Jacobs Camo Racer Rib Dress [16] ($150, originally $295)
What to Wear, What to Wear? How About Overalls With a Tiny Top Underneath?
Headbands, but Make Them Sparkly and Extremely Long
Whether Your Polo Was From Hollister or Abercrombie, the Popped Collar Was Essential
You Could Smell Your Hollister Clothes From a Mile Away
Keeping Your K-Swiss Shoes Crisp and Clean Was Extremely Important
Your Shades Needed to Cover at Least 50 Percent of Your Face
The More Embellishment on Your Combat Boots, the Better
You Channeled Your Sk8r Boi Vibes in Your DC Shoes
Sequins on Everything? Sure!
Bermuda Shorts Were High Fashion, Don't @ Us
UGG Boots Were Worn Year-Round (Bonus Points If You Wore Them With a Skirt or Shorts)
Long Skinny Scarves Were Cool Even When It Wasn't Winter
Remember Wearing Jeans Under a Dress? Who Could Forget . . .
If You Rocked a Sequin Purse as Hard as Ashley Tisdale Did, You Can Sit With Us
Cargo Pants + Camouflage = A Double Fashion Whammy
Let's Face It — Halter Tops Were the Sh*t
Who Didn't Have a Half Sweater With 1 Big Button in the Middle?
Puka Shell Necklaces Weren't Just For Surfers
Did You Have Gauchos in Every Color (Dressy and Casual)? Because Same.
Cardigans Went Over EVERY Shirt
And So Did Knit Ponchos
Low. Rise. Jeans.
Long Flare Pants That Tatted on the Bottom From Dragging Them on the Floor? Sign Us Up
Trucker Hat? Check.
Give Us a Chunky Studded Belt or Give Us Death
Did We Mention Dresses Over Jeans? Just Checking.
Jeans Never Fully Tucked Into Your Knee-High Boots (It's an "Effortless" Look, Obviously)
Did Someone Say Date Night? Throw on Your Lace-Trimmed Cami!
Newsboy Hats Were 100-Percent Hip and Stylish
Metallic Scrunchie Purses Were a Statement Piece, to Say the Least
We're Down to Bring These Silky Tank Tops Back
Mini Skater Skirts = You Were Automatically Cool
Small Dogs Were Used as . . . Accessories?
Your Closet Was STOCKED With Limited Too Clothes (Thanks, Mom)
Graphic Tees Were Totally Rad
Chokers Were All. The. Rage.
You Tried the Criss-Cross Halter Top, but No One Could Pull It Off Like Christina Aguilera
Wanted: A Tiny (and We Mean Tiny) Crop Top
TBH, Tiny Denim Skirts Were Actually So Cute
. . . but We Also Wore Our Fair Share of Knee-Length Denim Skirts
If Selena Can Wear a Strapless Smocked Shirt, So Can We (and We Did)
A Tiny Half-Vest Over a Shirt? Yes, Please
If You Didn't Have a Necklace With Your Name on It, Who Even Were You?
A Long Top HAD to Be Paired With Leggings (and Don't Forget the Chunky Belt)
Note to Self: Must Make Sure All Designer Logos Can Be Seen
Going Somewhere? Not Without Your Baby-Doll Dress!
Dark Jean Jackets Were a Wardrobe Must
These Sunglasses Were Actually In . . .
Give Us Allll the Platform Sandals, Please
Split Shirts Were a Going-Out Essential
Flaunting Your 7 For All Mankind Jeans That You Got at Nordstrom Rack Was Too Fun
And How About the Chains on Your Jeans? The More the Merrier!
Your Belt Placement Didn't Have to Make Sense
But Really, Did Any of It Make Sense?
