If there’s one pattern from the 12 months that has dominated greater than something, it’s Y2K, and specifically, Y2K footwear. Y2K, or ‘12 months 2000’ because it’s abbreviated from, celebrates nostalgia for the noughties decade. Be it the early ‘00s, the place sequence like The O.C, Intercourse and the Metropolis and Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie reigned supreme, or later within the decade as we welcomed Indie Sleaze, there’s no denying of its presence in traits lately. While we’ve seen a slew of low-rise dishevelled denims, or maybe extra controversially, skinny denims, in addition to velour tracksuits, cargo pants and, in response to our magnificence group, the french manicure, I’ve observed the presence of this period maybe most in footwear.
Simply give it some thought: in winter we’ve had cowboy boots galore (in summer time too, I could add), biker and UGG boots have had a comeback greater than Jennifer Coolidge. Then in summer time it was all about thong sandals, jelly footwear and denim mules—all of which had been undeniably large 20 years in the past. While the resurgence of this period was considerably controversial when it first began making an look some three years in the past, now it’s prevalent in virtually the whole lot we put on.
While chances are you’ll suppose Y2K is a little bit of a passing fad, there are fundamentals which can be fairly timeless, and I for one would contemplate a lot of my footwear that allude to that period as a part of my capsule wardrobe. Certainly one of which might undoubtedly be the Gucci sling-back kitten heels. A relic from the Gucci Tom Ford-era archive—which is taken into account a peak within the 2000s golden age of fashion—these footwear had been thought of the footwear of alternative for partywear final 12 months, and simply after they had been launched through the festive interval in 2022, but two years on I nonetheless attain for them each time I’ve an important day.
After all I can’t speak about Y2K footwear with out mentioning ballet flats. Paying homage to the pale pink TOPSHOP pair that anybody now over 28 possible had within the hopes of wanting half as cool as Sienna Miller, Kate Moss or Alexa Chung did again in 2004, this pattern has reestablished itself with many new kinds. Be it the basic pink in each satin and leather-based, or a extra modern take within the type of mesh, fishnet or crystal or stud embellished (all due to Alaia), it’s nice to see a 2024 model of those unmissable traits from twenty years in the past.
Whether or not you’ve seen it on celebrities, your favorite fashion insiders and even us Who What Put on editors, Y2K footwear have been the second this 12 months, and I predict sure ones shall be simply as large subsequent 12 months. Right here, I’ve collated those who have made the largest influence on our feeds, saved folders and naturally, our wardrobes, and can proceed to take action in 2025.
1. COWBOY BOOTS
Influences from the Wild West are pretty enduring, by no means actually going ‘out’ of fashion, however its newest return feels harking back to the 2000s. Fringe jackets, double denim and large buckle belts have been gracing our feeds and have been seen on the streets on essentially the most fashionable, however not practically as a lot as cowboy boots. In summer time I observed so many carrying them with mini clothes or denim skirts (competition trend 101), and once more in winter under denims and with a comfortable knit—all 12 months their presence has been unmissable. You may go basic with black or tan suede, however I most love the variations with totally different colors, stitching and even metallic finishes.
SHOP COWBOY BOOTS
GANNI
Black Mid Shaft Embroidered Western Boots
Ganni was such a pioneer of this pattern, I could not not embody them.
2. BALLET PUMPS
As I discussed earlier than, I couldn’t speak about Y2K footwear and never point out these. While cool-girls beloved the Margiela Tabi iteration and classicists had been divided by Alaia’s fishnet Mary Jane, others simply beloved the simplicity of a black leather-based ballet pump—some flat, and a few with a slight heel. Regardless, I can assure there’s ballet flat of some description in most of our wardrobes.
SHOP BALLET PUMPS
MAISON MARGIELA
Tabi Break up-Toe Leather-based Ballet Flats
The break up toe could also be controversial, however I like these.
& Different Tales
Leather-based-Trimmed Mesh Ballet Flats
Mesh ballet flats are so the fashionable model of this shoe pattern.
3. UGG BOOTS
Regardless of how a lot chances are you’ll attempt to keep away from the UGG, one factor’s for positive, when you spend money on them, it’s laborious to look again. Why? The consolation and the cosiness, clearly! Within the winter months, there actually isn’t any different boot prefer it. Many beloved the knee-high model again within the early ‘00s, however now it’s the mini model that everybody appears to adore.
SHOP UGG BOOTS
UGG
Ladies’s Basic Extremely Mini Platform Boot
So many influencers I comply with have the platform model.
UGG
Ladies’s Basic Tall Trailgazer Boot
If you are going to do a knee-high boot, I feel go for the additional tread sole with the basic stitching.
4. SLING-BACK KITTEN HEELS
Kitten heels in all their varied kinds—sling-backs, mules and even boots—actually have turn out to be the go-to with regards to elevate footwear decisions, particularly as we hit occasion season in December and wedding ceremony season in spring. Consider it or not, this heel silhouette is deeply rooted in Y2K nostalgia. Whether or not it is a rhinestone monogram, a shiny patent end, a pointed or sq. toe, and even these with a bow element, at any time when I see them I simply consider Summer time and Marissa in The O.C.
SHOP SLING-BACK KITTEN HEELS
MANOLO BLAHNIK
Maretsli 50 Leather-based Slingback Pumps
We could not focus on kitten heels and never have a pair of Manolo Blahnik.
5. BIKER BOOTS
Distressed leather-based was an enormous Y2K pattern, seen on jackets, mini skirts and tube tops. Manufacturers like Diesel had been recognized for this grungy leather-based look within the late 90s and early 00s. This transcended into biker boots, which have been massively common over the past 2 winter seasons. I significantly love them with a boho-inspired outfit, suppose free flowing costume with an outsized knit excessive.
SHOP BIKER BOOTS
ACNE STUDIOS
Embellished Crinkled-Leather-based Knee Boots
I’ve a deep obsession with the Pimples Studios biker boots.
6. WEDGES & CLOGS
If *that* picture from front-row on the Chloe present earlier this 12 months proved something, it was that boho-chic was again, and with it got here wedges and clogs. While wedges really feel decidedly spring-and-summer-orientated, clogs are a bit extra seasonless. Initially this was a method most related to the seventies, however celebrities like Sienna Miller made it really feel recent within the early noughties, and now it’s again and, I feel, going to be large subsequent spring. Completely different heights and hues are all on supply, however the widespread denominator is pure supplies on the highest and heel. Suppose cork, wooden, leather-based and suede, particularly in numerous shades of tan brown.
SHOP WEDGES + CLOGS
CHLOÉ
Maxime Leather-based Slingback Platform Wedge Sandals
Put together to see these in all places subsequent summer time.