Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Destiny’s Child and the Spice Girls were all icons of the 2000s. They stood out for their style and became the benchmark for colorful and bold fashion. Twenty-three years later, 2000s fashion is making a remarkable comeback. Diesel, Miu Miu, Maison Margiela and Versace are inspired by it in their collections and even convince fast fashion brands to make it their business.
The period between the 1990s and the 2000s is not only a fashion trend, but also inspires a way of life in itself, which touches on beauty, accessories, films, series, music – everything that reminds of the beginning of the century is another trend. On TikTok, the hashtag “y2kaesthetic,” which means “2000s aesthetic” in English, has been viewed more than 5 billion times internationally. The Y2K lifestyle is essential for Generation Z and is also popularizing another form of clothing consumption: secondhand.
Clothing from the 2000s is of better quality
“Fast fashion only offers copies of what was made in the 2000s, but there is a remarkable difference in quality between what was done before and now,” confides Juliette, creator of Britney Market. 20 minutes. Two years ago she had the idea to create a pop-up vintage market bringing together designers and specialized thrift stores in the 2000s. “It is an emergency to consume in a more reasonable and ethical way and second hand is perfect there for. Juliette adds. It was important to create a trendy vintage market with something other than grandmother’s dresses and jackets from the 1980s.”
With its hundred stands, the Britney Market has become the largest vintage market of the 2000s in the world, a reference where clothing, jewelry, accessories, tattoos, tartars and DJ sets come together. “In the 2000s, I no longer have to specifically look for specialized exhibitors, because thrift stores and designers naturally follow the trend. They are aware that it works very well,” says the founder, marked by a significant increase in interest in alternative style in the last two years.
Trend and ethics
“The 2000s are making a comeback, so instead of opting for new, I decided to go to second-hand and thrift stores,” confides Agathe, a 23-year-old student. During a visit to the Britney Market, this vintage fashion lover is happy to have been able to get her hands on a Guess bag, which was very popular in the 2000s, for 30 euros. An original that is often reproduced by fast fashion brands.
“I appreciate these types of events that make these clothes accessible at reasonable prices, because they allow me to adopt a unique style while promoting an ethical approach,” says this young representative of Generation Z, 59% of whom buy second-hand clothes according to a #MoiJeune survey conducted by OpinionWay.
The 2000s for everyone
Open to all, this event highlights three simple principles to best magnify the 2000s: low prices for students, sizes for all body types (XS to XXL), and gender-neutral clothing. “I make a point of inclusivity because for me it is essential not to perpetuate certain mistakes of the 2000s, such as fatphobia,” Juliette testifies.
“The Britney Market should remain grand and short-lived, a meeting that returns from time to time, a party, a moment with a great atmosphere,” concludes the founder of the market, who does not want to exhaust her concept by making it permanent. During the last edition, the weekend of November 4 and 5 in the fertile city of Pantin, the Britney Market attracted a total of 3,000 visitors.