Nostalgic Throwback: Fashion Trends in Summer 2000

Do you remember Summer 2000? Are you even old enough to remember that time period? Well, if you are... Good news, it is now retro!

As we delve into the world of fashion, it's fascinating to take a trip down memory lane and explore the trends that shaped the summer of 2000. The turn of the millennium brought with it a distinct sense of excitement, reflected in the fashion choices of the time.

In this blog post, we'll journey back to the year 2000 and revisit the iconic fashion trends that defined that vibrant summer. So, put on your rose-tinted glasses and join us on this nostalgic sartorial adventure!

1. Denim Everything: Summer 2000 was all about denim, and it dominated the fashion scene in various forms. From denim jackets to jeans, skirts, and even dresses, this versatile fabric was a staple in everyone's wardrobe. Distressed and ripped denim gained popularity, reflecting the rebellious spirit of the era.

2. Cargo Pants and Skirts: Cargo pants and skirts were all the rage in the summer of 2000. These utilitarian-inspired pieces featuring multiple pockets were not only functional but also exuded a cool and laid-back vibe. Paired with tank tops or crop tops, cargo bottoms added a touch of edginess to any outfit.

3. Slip Dresses: The 2000s saw a resurgence of slip dresses, made famous by style icons like Kate Moss and Jennifer Aniston. These slinky, spaghetti-strap dresses in satin or silk fabrics were often worn with delicate cardigans or layered over plain white tees for a casual yet chic look.

4. Baby Tees and Tube Tops: Crop tops took center stage in the summer of 2000, with baby tees and tube tops reigning supreme. These form-fitting tops were often adorned with playful graphics or logos, and they paired perfectly with low-rise jeans or skirts, showing off just the right amount of midriff.

5. Sporty Chic: Athleisure had its moment in 2000, with sporty-inspired fashion gaining popularity. Tracksuits, zip-up hoodies, and athletic shorts were embraced as stylish casualwear. Brands like Adidas and Puma were at the forefront of this trend, with their logo-emblazoned apparel becoming must-haves for the fashion-conscious.

6. Platform Shoes: The '90s influence carried over into 2000, with platform shoes making a strong comeback. Chunky platform sandals and sneakers were all the rage, providing both height and a bold statement to any ensemble. From strappy sandals to platform sneakers, these shoes added an instant boost of style.

7. Hair Accessories Galore: Summer 2000 was not just about clothing trends; hair accessories also played a significant role in defining one's fashion-forward look. Butterfly clips, colorful hair scrunchies, and headbands adorned with beads or flowers were popular choices, adding a whimsical touch to hairstyles.

8. Futuristic Sunglasses: Eyewear in the summer of 2000 took a futuristic turn. Sleek, wraparound sunglasses with mirrored or colored lenses were the epitome of cool. The bolder and more unconventional the shape and design, the better.

Conclusion: 

The fashion trends of summer 2000 embodied a sense of carefree fun and a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation. Denim in all its forms, cargo bottoms, slip dresses, crop tops, sporty chic attire, platform shoes, playful hair accessories, and futuristic sunglasses defined the fashion landscape of that vibrant season. As we reminisce about these trends, let's celebrate the spirit of self-expression and experimentation that continues to shape the ever-evolving world of fashion.

Is Steampunk the New Goth???

Watch out what you see on the subway late at night because while in 2001 you might have seen some pretty freakish goths, by 2011 standards that just isn't weird enough. Steampunks (or depending on your fashion sense, Steamgoths!) is the new thing.

No, there's no fantasy element to this. True, many goths were into Wicca, vampires, magic, fairies and such... steampunk is about retrofuturism... anything that looks old but is futuristic at the same time. Think really weird pocket watches, corsets, circa-1900 clothing and gadgets that run on something other than electricity. (Like the steampunk clock shown below.)





Part of this fad (if you can call it that) can be blamed on the Sherlock Holmes movie that came out in 2009.

However there is several other films we could blame as well, including:

• Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, 2004
• Van Helsing, 2004
• Steamboy, 2004
• League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, 2003
• The Time Machine, 2002
• Wild Wild West, 1999
• Sleepy Hollow, 1999

In terms of clothing however this is the part where there is lots of room to grow.

See brassgoggles.co.uk and community.livejournal.com/steamfashion for ideas.

Goggles is a common idea when people think of steampunk, but its a bit of a cliche too.

Think leather, brass or copper, gears, clocks, levers, chains (like bicycle chains), Victorian patterns, pinstripes, damask, argyle, hair is usually up or a bob... You can also have fun with tattoos, piercings, dyed hair, torn clothing, tools (ie. pocket wrenches and gauges).

"[Steampunk is] drawing on actual history. You can pull into it what you're into and put your spin on it. It's accessible yet expandable," says Jake von Slatt (aka Sean Slattery, of Littleton, Mass.), who likens the philosophy behind steampunk to open-source software. "There is a real focus on sharing, exploring things together, building community."

Steampunkers also have conventions to exchange ideas and compare clothing and gadgets, they dress to the nines and party like it's 1899.

Mr. von Slatt is currently "steampunking" a fiberglass, 1954-style Mercedes kit car, adding salvaged gauges and lights from other cars and gold filigree trim. Drawn to steampunk's "do-it-yourself, making something from nothing" mantra, von Slatt scavenges most of his components.

Basically wherein gothic culture the protagonist is a vampire or demon, in steampunk the villain is a gadget-crazed mad scientist.

And the hero is a goodie-two-shoes bicycle mechanic who builds himself a steampunk bicycle...

I am sure he gets plenty of weird looks, but anybody who is into bicycles will appreciate what he has done. Its a retro recumbent bicycle, and that is just plain kewl.

If you are looking for something steampunk-esque to read, we recommend The Keepers of the Maser series of graphic novels by Italian comic book author Massimiliano Frezzato.

Huzzah!

How to Dress like a Manly Man

By Monique Bellamont - March 2016.

Ack!

It is that word many "manly men" shy away from - metrosexual.

Which we women find silly because it reveals that many men are so homophobic that they refuse to deal with anything that is remotely "gay".

As such men's high fashion has suffered over the decades to the point that men really can only wear suits and uniforms. Anything too risque and they feel they are being emasculated

However done right, men's high fashion doesn't have to look metrosexual.

What it should look like however is:

Rugged.
Cool.
Capable.

And a touch of James Bond doesn't hurt.

As such high end clothing for men really needs to flatter a man - building a bridge between "uniform / suit" and "rugged casual wear".

Check out the image below to see what I mean. The men in the photo below, all wearing clothes from Toronto-based company Kish Wear (see http://www.kishwear.com/), look rugged yet sophisticated. And this is what men want when it comes to high fashion. They want to look professional, yes, but they also want to look like they could doff a cowboy hat and ride off into the sunset at the same time looking heroic while they do it.

 Now as a single woman who dates a lot I have to imagine waiting in a coffee shop for the guy I met off POF to show up.

And then he shows up wearing a black bow tie, wearing a white shirt, suspenders, a black jacket with fur collar (I am describing the photo on the right here) then I am going to be instantly impressed and have the following first impressions.

#1. This man is intelligent. He is smartly dressed.

#2. This man knows how to dress properly and takes care of himself. He probably bathes daily, does his laundry regularly, and might even wear cologne on special occasions.

#3. This man probably knows how to treat a lady. If he treats himself well, then he probably treats others well too.

#4. This man has a job / career. He wouldn't be able to afford this quality of clothes if he is still living in his parents' basement.

#5. He looks like Viggo Mortensen. Part of that is just the hair and beard, but the clothes completes the package.

#6. Retro. And anything retro is cool. So that is automatically a bonus.

Thus, first impressions, I would be very happy to meet a man dressed like that. Whether his personality matches mine, that is another topic, but the first impressions means that I will be taking this man seriously and he will be having my undivided attention while I sip my latte and contemplate a second date.

Below are some photos from Kish Wear's 2014 Winter Collection available at http://kishwear.com/lookbook/winter-2014

Retro Swimwear for Women

Looking for ideas for retro swimwear or bikinis for women? Look below and check out some interesting ideas.

The ideas below are a mix of styles from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s - with a dash of modern versions of the classics thrown into the mix.

Enjoy!

Why 70s Fashion Sucks!!!

Want to dress like a moronic person with no class? Think 70s fashion!

Seriously.

What we're talking about here is a person so obsessed with the latest fads that they're copying styles from 40 years ago just because accessory stores are selling the junk.

Lets start with that hallmark of retro 70s fashion...

OVERSIZED SUNGLASSES

My mother and grandmother wore these glasses (still do...) and that doesn't make them kewl. Far from it. I think they're gawd-awful-ugly. You'd have to have a screw loose to think these look good.

Next on the retro wannabees...

BIG BOLD BANGLES

They're just big freaking bracelets, like hoola hoops for your arms. They're not practical, they get in the way, and they are probably more annoying than anything else. They're so big in an effort to make your arms look smaller. So wearing them suggests you have an eating disorder and want to look thinner and thinner. Not cool.

Seriously, Twiggy might have been a late 1960s-1970s supermodel, but that girl needed more meat on her bones.

STACKED PLATFORMS

When you fall flat on your face enough times that you break your nose or chip your teeth maybe you will rethink these fashion rejects from 1970s that may look interesting, but I'd bet a fiver that you will be regretting them 3 months later and never wear them again.

Or maybe 3 days...

SHORT SLEEVED JACKETS

This is the only throw-back from the 1970s that we think is actually worth keeping. Its practical. Its stylish. I can see wearing it again and again, years to come. And its easy to find something to match the Tangerine colour (which is hot this year, so claimeth the fashion gods).

The end result? 70s Fashion ranks a F for Failure. It scored some points with the jacket, but the rest is junk.

Want a fashion tip for the future? Think Super Retro, Steampunk, Rolling Stones and Heavy Metal.

Now you may ask why Rolling Stones? Because we think its time to rehash that period. And while we're at it, Mick Jagger will be 68 in July. No offense to the old guy, but he has to kick the bucket sometime and then all the Rolling Stones fans will come out of the woodwork proclaiming their love of the band.

Likewise with Keith Richards. We could start a betting pool as to which one of those two will kick the bucket first.

NOTE: Its important to note that the Rolling Stones influenced male fashion more than female fashion, but lets end with a photo of Paris Hilton to prove a point that its unisex.

Action Pants - Funny 50s Magazine Ad

Is your man wearing Action Pants? Don't forget his Action Zone... ???

I think it is hysterical that even the dog is staring at his "Action Zone". Very funny!

Steampunk Panties

Because who doesn't like Steampunk Panties?

And for fun, here is a photo of a steampunk camaro. Rrrreeeow!

Summer Time Hippies

"The best way to dress LIKE a hippie is to just plain BE a hippie."

There is no point in me teaching how to dress like a hippie. It either comes to you naturally or you end up looking like a fake.

And if your goal is to be a hippie then you should want to do the following:

#1. Take life they way it leads you and just go with the flow.

#2. Protest against injustice and cruelty.

#3. Let your heart be free to love whomever it wants to love.

#4. Make love like there is no tomorrow. (Seriously, you could get hit by a truck and bleed to death today.)

#5. Dress casually and comfortably, while simultaneously looking freaking awesome.

#6. Make a list of evil doers, go to their houses and then toilet paper their yards. Cause hippies follow the non-violent approach.

#7. Make a blog extolling the virtues of community living (aka communes).

#8. Start a neighbourhood garden.

#9. Experiment by wearing your mother's or grandmother's clothing from the 1960s - 1970s.

#10. Swim baby, swim!









Oh to be young, beautiful and free...