Moose’s “Encounters” thread which bemoaned the lack of music progression in the last couple of decades reminded me of an incident a couple of weeks ago when my 17yr old daughter told me she had been invited to a party with a 2000’s theme and asked for dress-up advice. Honestly I was stumped. A 1940’s, 1950’s, 1960’s 1970’s and 1980’s themed party would suggest some obvious iconic and cliche fashions …. from wartime – “Rosie the Riveter”, through Teds, hippies, tartan and flares, punk, new romantics and baggy – but what was iconic about the 2000’s or the late 90’s for that matter. Is it just that things are moving too quickly? Is it still too close (although I did 60’s parties in the 70’s for sure). Any ideas?
Themes for the new century
by 15 Comments
Grunge?
the 90s there is still some good choices:
Grunge – I think we all know that one.
Baggy – enormous flares, Kickers, beany hat, Joe Bloggs t-shirt. Sorted.
Clubber – acid from the start of the 90s – pirate bandanna, bright t-shirt, dungarees esp shorts dungarees, crazy-coloured sunglasses
Tecno kid from the late 90s – wierd trainers, tight trousers , crop top, spiky hair or variation on Princess Leia doughnuts. Crazy coloured hair. Glittery make-up (boys and girls), deely boppers or variations of.
But the 00’s it’s just beige and grey innit. The whole world became Farrow and Ball’d.
and Britpop – Mod-ish with Baggy/Casual inflections (plus a cagoule)
The only look I can definitely associate with the 00s is the Burberry chav uniform.
Or you could just dress up as a giant Nokia 3310.
Late 90s might be represented by combat trousers, very chunky trainers and puffy gilets.
Nu metal – voluminous jeans with a chain wallet; chequered Vans; on the top half, a black short-sleeve shirt with flames around the edges, or a white shirt with Avril Lavigne-style school tie.
Moles Jr here
Father moles has asked for my views as a youth (even though I struggle to conceive of music released after 1985):
K-Poppers – learnt 5 words of Korean, believe they are fluent; hair died some pastel shade; general attempts to ‘look Korean’; brightly coloured i-phone cases; anime t-shirts; sushi from Asda as a packed lunch; learning all the dance moves for songs
New-Emos – Panic at The Disco/twenty one pilots T-shirts, an obession with the film Suicide Squad (even though it was terrible) to the point of wearing harlequin themed clothing with that dreadful “daddy’s little monster” slogan; hair died black, long fringes – same as ever;
New Indie – Don’t know who the fall or the smiths are (I tried); oversized jackets and band t-shirts; slogan tote bags; excessive ear piercings; a strange habit of wearing bum bags across the body; glitter makeup as if they are at a festival (they’re not); that usual spiel – “I saw sundara karma in a pub with 20 people and now they are so massive”
Moles Snr here son of course is a jazz nut and says if you dressed like that you’d just dress like an old person. However this is a hilarious article on the SonsofKemetfollowing nu jazzers – complete with pic
https://www.vice.com/amp/en_uk/article/j57qgd/introducing-the-nu-jazz-lad
When did hipster douchebags arrive on the scene? Aughts or teens ? Suit too tight and narrow, non traditional colours for suit and shoes, stupidly sculpted hair and beard. Still seeing them now around Sydney. Probably doesn’t help your daughter much though.
Adults twatting about on scooters. Not Vespas or Lambrettas, the ones you have to push with yer foot.
This decade will be remembered for girls and young women appearing to have two strips of electrical tape above their eyes. The Back to the Future film that predicted a vogue for inside-out clothes underestimated the ridiculousness of the age.
I think in terms of a 2000s look it’s the tattoos that stand out. Hipsters are a relatively recent thing but as far as I know not related to music. Up to say the mid 90s the odd tattoo was common but some pop stars like Marc Almond went a bit mental with them, as did Dave Gahan but their tats are not remarkable now. As we moved past 2000, we had blokes with beards that make them look like King Edward VII and several dozen tattoos covering every available surface. This seems to be an enduring look for young men now.
Getting back to the point: i.e. what should a 17 y.o. girl wear to a 2000-themed party, perhaps she should go in drag as a hillbilly-bearded man-bun sporting hipster dude.
And a henna full arm tatt
Check work-shirt (rolled-up sleeves) over plain white or grey t-shirt, narrow jeans and heavy or cuban heeled boots
Jeez, thats an expensive trip to the shops. I was expecting a mate with a paint brush. Something washable.