Trends of the 2000s
The year is drawing to a close, which, more importantly, means that the first decade of the new millennium is calling it a wrap (cue ironic, introspective VH1’s “I Love The…” franchise). Perhaps cultural rehash of the 2K’s is appropriate, as seen by Complex.com’s recent posting of the “Top 100 Style Trends of the Decade.” Keep reading for my sophomoric commentary on select trends as selected by Complex; specifically, five trends that could not have faded sooner, and five trends whose existence I wish to continue. Disclaimer- the former was much more difficult to select than the latter.
So. Many. Don'ts.
Bottom Five, aka Further Than Eight Feet Under
Large Plastic Sunglasses: Think Kanye West’s shutter shades . And then don’t think about them ever, ever again.
Keffiyeh Scarves: That sporting a keffiyeh ever became fashionable is absurd, given its social and cultural significance abroad. Last year’s emergence of the keffiyeh as a hipster’s go-to is one of the few trends that is reflective of a garish aesthetic (see above: “large plastic sunglasses”)
Beards: Apparently growing a beard is a trend (?). As I can’t grow one, though, I’ll hate until the facial fur piles up.
Barack Obama: Perhaps a preface would be appropriate- Complex.com’s reference is a nod to the Shepard Fairey-inspired “Hope” t-shirts, not to the Commander-in-Chief himself. Not since Warhol’s work has a public figure so rapidly transcended to packaged-icon status, a status that’s much cooler when it’s not the entire $5 sale rack at Urban. The Prez’ just looks a bit overrecylced, now.
Popped Collars: Explains itself
(Dishonorable mentions: Trucker hats, patent leather, flannel, electric denim)
And the “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on me” Trends
Lee Pace Does it Better
Slim Fit Jeans: Swimming in denim didn’t look good in the 90’s; glad the 2000’s got it right. Thanks to moderately-priced retailers like H&M, slim fit jeans will wean from ‘trend’ to ‘staple.’
Cardigans: Insert Mr. Rogers joke, then buy a cardigan.
Well-Fitted Suits: You would never want to befriend your Vegas bookie, would you? So don’t dress like him either. A fitted suit looks more professional and reeks of confidence and sophistication. What’s more, it brings back the importance of your tailor, even if he is a bit creepy.
Toggle Coats: Living in Hiroshima, Japan for three years, I used to see these coats running the cosmopolitan gamut. Toggle coats haven’t been a major fixture in men’s fashion, but I’ve seen the look rocked a few times this year. The more conservative pea coat, though, may keep the toggle coat’s popularity in close check.
High-Top Sneakers: How do you make a nice sneaker nicer? Make it taller, of course. From timeless Converse kicks and Nike Dunks to the space-age vibe of Supra Skytops and Creative Recs, high-top sneakers offer a daring option in the sometimes mundane shoeniverse. And, really, does it get any better than this.
(Honorable mentions: Prep, flannel, trench coats).
Yess
Drag me to hell
For the entire list, and perhaps sharper observations, visit Complex.com
