Y2K fashion has taken over

NEW YORK (AP):

First came the supposed death of skinny jeans. Then, the resurgence of cargo pants, halter tops and baby tees.

If there's one thing retailers can agree on, it's that Gen Z is hot for the early 2000s fashion trends now booming in popularity.

College interns and young workers are donning wide-legged slacks at the office. The claw clip, a retro hair staple, is back; as are mesh tops, miniskirts and a host of colourful apparel that can make consumers look like they stepped out of a Disney Channel show from 2004.

Fuelled by social media platforms, including TikTok, the so-called Y2K trend resurfaced as consumers began attending parties and going out after pandemic lockdowns. What began with hair accessories like butterfly clips and the comeback of straight-leg jeans has expanded to all-denim garments, cargo and flare pants and everything shiny, among other looks.

Casey Lewis, a New York trend analyst, noted so many micro trends -- often tagged with the suffix 'core' -- cranked up in the past few years that she created a newsletter about them.

Think 'Barbiecore' and 'mermaidcore', which highlight the hot pink reminiscent of Mattel Inc's Barbie doll or sheer materials with ocean-like hues and sequins. There's also 'coastal granddaughter', the youthful update that evolved from the 'coastal grandmother' trend featuring oversized cardigans and linen sets.

"Gen Z is not even close to being done revisiting these old trends," said Lewis, whose After School newsletter documents youth consumer behaviour. "They are going to dig into every weird trend from way back when and bring it back."

Retailers from high-end Nordstrom to discounters and fast-fashion outlets are pushing the styles in campaigns and on shelves. And consumers seem to be eating it up.

Sales of women's cargo pants jumped 81 per cent from January to May, the latest month of available data, according to Circana, which tracks retail purchases. Low-cost fashion chains H&M and Zara say they're seeing success with biker jackets, denim garments and crop tops. And Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein, which markets to young women, said its baby tee sales have tripled this year, making them by far the hottest T-shirt style of 2023.

The company also is seeing a big jump in sales of flared pants, corset tops, metallic-coloured clothing and women's track suits, which are often made from bright velour fabric reminiscent of some wardrobe choices by socialite Paris Hilton at the height of her popularity.