Some trends don’t just come back — they respawn with a smug little wink. The names are new (“flared leggings,” anyone?), but the energy is pure Y2K. Suddenly, digital cameras are the party essential again, Von Dutch hats are back on heads thanks to Kylie Jenner and Charli XCX, while velour tracksuits — once Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian’s uniform — are strutting sidewalks like they never left.
On TikTok, they’re branded as “vintage,” but for some, they’re a throwback — and for others, trends you were too young to catch the first time around. Love them or cringe at them, the comeback tour is undeniable. Trends don’t actually die — they just wait for a rebrand.
1.
Digital cameras are back, baby. The flash is harsh, the timestamps are never accurate, and the pics look like a memory instead of a photoshoot. People are bringing point-and-shoots to parties and nights out because the vibe is candid, not curated — and honestly, that’s the whole appeal.
2.
Charli XCX’s hit single “Von Dutch” didn’t just shake up playlists — it reignited hype for the brand’s iconic trucker hats. And when Kylie Jenner was spotted rocking one, it sealed the deal: Y2K style is officially back. Mesh panels, bold logos, and that ‘too-cool-to-care’ energy are topping fits once again.
3.
Velour tracksuits were the it girl uniform of the 2000s, plastered across tabloids thanks to millennial icons like Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian, who basically lived in velour. Now, Gen Z is calling them “vintage” and snapping them up for the same reason they blew up in the first place: comfy, flashy, and unapologetically extra. And while every brand is dropping its own take, let’s be real — Juicy Couture is the blueprint: the zip-up hoodie, the low-rise flare, the rhinestone script on the butt. Whether you loved the logos or hated them, the comfy set is officially back in rotation.
4.
Thin brows: the trend everyone swore they’d never revisit is tiptoeing back onto runways and red carpets. Once the ultimate 2000s beauty regret, they’re now being rebranded as edgy, high-fashion, and minimalist. Just look at Gabriette, who’s been making skinny arches her signature — turning what was once a cautionary tale into a full-on cool-girl statement. The look is definitely intimidating — one wrong pluck and it’s over — but celebs and makeup artists are proving that with the right shape (and a lot of confidence), thin brows can be sleek instead of scary.
5.
Before iPhones ruled the world, there was BlackBerry. Founded in Waterloo, Canada, it was the status phone of the late 2000s. You couldn’t walk down a street, sit in a classroom, or hang out at the mall without spotting that iconic glowing screen. BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) was its own universe: instant pings, delivered/read receipts, and the kind of drama that had siblings fighting over who left who on “R.” And of course, the keyboard — those tiny raised buttons that somehow made you type faster than you ever will again. Sleek? Not really. Ubiquitous? Absolutely.
6.
We used to simply call them yoga pants — now they’ve been rebranded as flared leggings, which somehow makes them sound trendier than they did a decade ago. Either way, they were once the unofficial uniform of every high school hallway, and now they’re back as a full-on streetwear staple. Stretchy, comfy, and forgiving, they’re the ultimate contrast to skinny jeans. Pair them with UGGs, slides, or a crop top, and suddenly “gym class chic” is cool again.
7.
Body glitter was peak 2000s mall culture. Every teen had a sticky tube in their bag and a shimmer roll-on from Claire’s. Fast forward to now, and the shimmer is back. Stars like Rihanna have built whole beauty empires around glowing skin, with Fenty Beauty’s Body Lava giving major Y2K sparkle vibes. What was once too much is suddenly just right, proving glitter really never goes out of style — it just upgrades its packaging.
8.
Low-rise pants can feel like the boss level of denim — intimidating at first glance, but totally beatable with the right confidence. They’re back on runways and in celeb closets (just ask Hailey Bieber), proving that exposed waistbands and daring silhouettes can actually look modern and chic. Sure, they take a little bravery, but styled right, they’re less scary throwback and more powerful fashion flex.
9.
Launched back in 2007, Tumblr quickly became the internet’s mood board — a chaotic mix of GIFs, fandom essays, and aesthetic photo dumps that defined an era online. It wasn’t just teens reblogging memes either: Frank Ocean used Tumblr to share his groundbreaking 2012 coming-out letter, Taylor Swift built a reputation for interacting with fans directly on the platform, and Lorde even jumped in to post unfiltered thoughts at the height of her early fame. Now, with social media feeds feeling more curated than ever, Tumblr’s messy, creative spirit is drawing people back.
10.
Wired earbuds are having a moment again — no charging, no Bluetooth drama, just plug-in and go. They’re discreet, forever tangled, and low-stakes enough to toss in every bag. Icons like Kamala Harris and Bella Hadid have been spotted rocking them, turning the once-annoying tangle into a full-on fashion statement. Forget sleek and wireless: the dangly cables are giving nostalgic and effortless.
11.
DVDs feel like relics now — piles of box sets at home, with discs that may or may not cooperate once they hit the DVD player. and the eternal hunt for the right case. Gen Z calls them ‘vintage,’ but the rest of us remember blowing on the discs like it actually helped — and watching every bonus feature. And here’s the twist: those same box sets are popping up on resale sites for serious cash, proving there’s a surprisingly real market for these DVDs.
12.
People would fight tooth and nail to wriggle into skinny jeans, jumping around bedrooms just to get the zipper up. Back in the 2000s, celebs like the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus turned skinnies into a uniform, proving they worked in every colour from classic black to fire-engine red. Whether you paired them with Converse or stilettos, they defined an era. Love them or hate them, skinny jeans were more than a trend — they were a time.
13.
Oversized bags are swinging back into style, and honestly, our shoulders aren’t ready. Once the ultimate 2000s accessory (remember Mary-Kate and Ashley practically hiding behind theirs?), they’re now being embraced again as both a fashion flex and a practical win. Tiny micro purses might look cute on Instagram, but an oversized handbag can hold your laptop, a change of shoes, snacks, and maybe even a small pet. Fashion meets function — and this time around, we’re actually thankful for it.
14.
Chunky belts are stomping their way back into the fashion cycle, and honestly, it’s giving mixed feelings. Back in the day, these oversized waist huggers were less accessory and more personality trait — cinched over dresses, layered on top of tunics, sometimes completely unnecessary but always unavoidable. Now, they’re creeping back into street style and runways, trying to convince us they’re sleek and intentional this time around. Whether you think they’re a power move or a fashion jump scare, one thing’s for sure: the chunky belt never just accessorized an outfit, it announced itself.
So, do you remember embracing these trends the first time around? Or maybe I missed one that deserves a comeback shoutout? Drop your thoughts in the comments — I want to hear which ones you loved, hated, or hope stay buried forever.
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