Over the past few days alone, we've woken to the news of J.Lo and Ben Affleck's engagement - and Britney announcing her pregnancy. Incredibly, we're not in the midst of a time warp, it is, in fact, still 2022.
Our obsession with nostalgia is nothing new (excuse the pun) but the celeb activity of late has made us feel like we're reliving the mid-2000s, now. Gossip aside, what does this all mean for fashion? The noughties have been creeping back into our wardrobes over the past couple of years and if you were there with us the first time round, we've been approaching the come-back with caution.
We've already had the resurgence of the velour-tastic Juicy Couture, with anyone who's anyone sporting a matching tracksuit, ideally in bright bubblegum pink à la Paris Hilton. Next we got our Uggs back, an instant hit among Gen Z.
Heading into summer, we're primed to channel our inner Mariah Carey - and cover ourselves in butterfly print. On the catwalks, the Blumarine SS22 and Diesel AW22 shows saw more noughties nostalgia than we ever could have dreamed of. Skin-tight and super low-rise, washed-out denim. Rimless sunglasses which provide slim-to-no shade from the actual sun and silk scarves masquerading as skimpy handkerchief tops.
This got us thinking about some of the peak examples of mid-00s fashion and all the trends, some good and some not so good. Scarves as belts, boot-cut jeans and stilettos or denim skirts over leggings anyone?
SEE: The Best Noughties Fashion Trends
1 of 21Jennifer Lopez's Cropped Cargo Pants
There's a lot to breakdown in this outfit. Highlights include cropped cargo pants, a jaunty crochet beret, a sequin shrug AND a 'Passion' logo bag.
2 of 21Victoria Beckham's Sunglasses
This whole VB era is iconic. The bigger the shades the better - and we stand by it.
3 of 21Nicole Richie's Headscarf
This whole outfit from Nicole is everything. The neon boob tube, the cross-body bag, the headscarf, it's peak 2000s.
4 of 21Leighton Meester's Jeans And A Nice Top
The ultimate 'It' girl combo; unbelievably low jeans and a pretty little top. She gets bonus points for the dangly earrings, teeny bag and cork wedges combo.
5 of 21Beyoncé's Pink Shag Bands
The polka dot two-piece is '00s enough, but throw in some neon pink accessories and the whole thing falls into place.
6 of 21Lindsey Lohan's Boot-cut Jeans And Belt
A moment for this whole outfit. The fitted shirt. The wrap-around sunglasses. The chain belt that does absolutely nothing. Perfect.
7 of 21Christina Milian's Scarf Belt
Another entry for pointless belts - and this time it's the sparkly scarf version. Warning, do not go near these with any kind of jewellery: these scarves were snag city.
8 of 21Atomic Kitten's Denim
Aren't Natasha's slim-line pedal pushers a thing of '00s beauty?
9 of 21Kate Moss’s Yellow Dress
10 of 21Lucy Liu's Halter Top
The mid 2000s saw Liu become a halterneck connoisseur. This strappy black number is a particular highlight and wouldn't look out of place in 2022.
11 of 21Mary-Kate Olsen’s Cowboy Boots
She's one half of the twin powerhouse behind Manhattan's most minimalist luxury brand, but back in the early noughties, Mary-Kate Olsen's wardrobe was all tangled necklaces, laddered tights and knee-high cowboy boots. I still remember making scrapbooks out of her courtside outfits on my bedroom floor. Sigh.
12 of 21Zoë Kravitz's Waistcoat
I also remember wanting a school friend's collection of waistcoats. Weird, but true, although Zoë Kravitz's, paired with a tank top and bootcut jeans for an early red carpet appearance, is kind of ticking all the boxes. Right?
13 of 21Nicole Richie’s Headband
Another Nicole Richie appreciation entry. Post-The Simple Life, AKA the Rachel Zoe years, Richie's style was an endless goldmine of boho inspiration for noughties teenagers. Who else remembers trying, and failing, to make a headband across the forehead look this cool?
14 of 21Ariana Grande’s Tattoo Choker
Chokers have been 'back' for years, but nothing will ever live up to their first incarnation - stretchy bands of plastic that looked a little like neck tattoos. FYI, you can still buy a pack of three from Claire's for under a fiver.
15 of 21Rachel Bilson’s Boot-leg Jeans
They're so much more flattering than skinnies, but the word 'boot-leg' is still enough to strike fear into the hearts of most. This wasn't so in the early noughties, with The OC's Marissa Cooper and Summer Roberts both paid-up fans of the flaring cut.
16 of 21Beyoncé's Boob Tube Dress
Another entry for Queen B. Beyoncé wore one, and so did Carrie Bradshaw, yet a stretchy boob tube dress seems vaguely terrifying now. Who knows? If combat trousers and bandanas can do it, maybe boob tubes are due a comeback.
17 of 21Melissa Joan Hart’s Leather Coats
Hands up if you used to daydream about being able to change outfits like Sabrina? We'll also take Melissa Joan Hart's burgundy leather coat. Thanks.
18 of 21Tia and Tamara Mowry’s Baker Boy Hats
Of all the questionable hats belonging to the noughties hall of fame, the baker boy is perhaps the most underappreciated. Spotted here on Sister Sister's Tia and Tamara Mowry, we're thinking it's ripe for a renaissance (outside of Peaky Blinders).
19 of 21Cameron Diaz’s Strappy Top
Oddly enough, Cameron Diaz's strappy top, metallic mule sandals and low-slung jeans could be part of Hailey Bieber or Bella Hadid's Instagram-approved wardrobe in 2022 .
20 of 21Halle Berry’s Tinted Sunglasses
Halle Berry's sunset-coloured shades - note, without rims - were the cat's eye of the early noughties.
21 of 21Reese Witherspoon's Polo Neck
Ah 2000, when celebrities wore (at least what looked like) their own clothes on the red carpet instead of gowns. Case in point, Reese Witherspoon's wardrobe of black polo necks and caramel leather trousers that defined the era's dress code: don't try too hard and definitely don't wear a dress.