2000s fashion is currently experiencing a powerful resurgence, particularly among Gen Z. Videos tagged with “#Y2KAestitic” and “#Y2Kfashion” have amassed a collective of 405 million views on TikTok. As Gen Z eagerly hunts for a pair of low-rise jeans at the nearest mall or thrift store, the revival of Y2K fashion has sparked a significant shift in the conversation about the toxic body image culture that dominated the early 2000s. This resurgence is not just a trend but a powerful statement of influence and empowerment from Gen Z.

During the Y2K era, the fashion industry was driven by a mentality that glorified crash diets, perpetuated body shaming, and constantly bombarded the public with airbrushed images, all while upholding an insatiable and unrealistic beauty standard. This era saw a thriving yet toxic culture, where the pressure to conform to these ideals was relentless and deeply ingrained in the fabric of fashion. Your body was considered a fashion accessory if you will.

The main concern now with Gen Z bringing back Y2K fashion is the body dysmorphia and body image issues that come along with it. While Y2K fashion was heavily based on showing off your body, as Gen Z has made it about the clothing, this largely has to do with Gen Z having been brought up with body positivity.

The resurgence of Y2K fashion among Gen Z has sparked a complex conversation around body image and self-perception. While the early 2000s style was often synonymous with revealing clothing that emphasized certain body types, Gen Z’s revival of this trend comes with a refreshing twist. Unlike in the past, where the focus was primarily on the body, today’s youth are more about fashion, showcasing clothing rather than conforming to specific body standards. This shift is attributed mainly to the body positivity movement that has shaped Gen Z, promoting self-love and inclusivity and redefining what it means to express oneself through fashion. The positive impact of this movement gives us hope and optimism for the future of fashion and body image.

While this trend may stir up some concern—and perhaps even a few mild PTSD flashbacks for millennials who lived through the more problematic aspects of Y2K fashion—it’s crucial to remember that reviving baby tees won’t erase nearly a decade of progress in the body positivity movement. Fashion trends may ebb and flow, but the journey towards self-acceptance and body positivity is here to stay. Today, Y2K clothes can be just that—clothes.