| You can tell a lot about a decade from its | | | | "Who are you wearing" on the red carpet, making |
| fashions. The 60s were defined by free love and | | | | household names of previously unknown fashion |
| hippy frocks. The 70s were all about the disco | | | | designers. And finally, reality shows centered |
| revolution. And the 80s gave us both preppy | | | | around fashion made celebrities out of budding |
| style and new wave neon. So what will the 00s, | | | | stylists, dressmakers and fashion school grads, so |
| or the "noughties," be known for? Foremost, we | | | | that whatever they created was snapped up |
| saw nods to eras past, with new twists on old | | | | instantly by the celebrity and fashion obsessed. |
| looks. Fashion also developed a social conscience, | | | | Sustainable materials. The noughties brought with |
| with sustainable fabrics and manufacturing that | | | | it an awareness of environmentally responsible |
| reflected a greater awareness of ecological | | | | fabrics and materials. People began asking what |
| responsibility that will certainly carry over into the | | | | things were made of, and how eco-friendly they |
| next decade. And of course, the noughties will be | | | | were. Clothing made with organic cotton, hemp |
| known for its fads. Let's take a look at the | | | | and linen have grown in demand, and will continue |
| fashion trends that will make it into the history | | | | to do so. Technological innovations also gave us a |
| books of fashion design schools, and more | | | | new crop of sustainable materials like fabric made |
| importantly, what you'll wear in twenty years to | | | | from recycled plastic water bottles or carpet |
| the noughties party. | | | | padding, and shoe rubber made from recycled |
| Boho chic. This look borrowed from gypsy and | | | | tires. |
| hippie influences, and was characterized by loose, | | | | Fair trade manufacturing. Although many shoppers |
| flowing tops and skirts, the layering of fabrics and | | | | marveled at the low prices of their clothing, they |
| textures, and mixing of prints. The look was | | | | also began questioning the true cost of the items |
| completed with oversized sunglasses, coin belts, | | | | as they asked how and where the apparel was |
| and vintage beads. Fashion writers called the | | | | manufactured. Working conditions were |
| mishmash trend "heroin chic," in which people paid | | | | scrutinized, and companies that could claim "made |
| a lot of money to look poor. The 60s and | | | | in America" enjoyed a competitive advantage. |
| 70s-inspired trend remained popular, however, | | | | Some companies donated a portion of their sales |
| because it gave women the freedom to mix and | | | | to environmental causes, and one donated a pair |
| match as they pleased. | | | | of shoes to a needy child with every pair sold. |
| Hip hop style. Urban-influences gave fashion street | | | | Shoes with a gimmick. Their sartorial merits |
| credibility, and whatever rappers wore eventually | | | | continue to be debated, but some unique |
| made it to runways. Several hip hop stars even | | | | footwear made a huge splash this decade. Brightly |
| launched their own fashion design labels. But just | | | | colored plastic gardening clogs with ventilation |
| as hip hop music moved from the ghetto to the | | | | holes were wildly popular. Sheepskin boots that |
| mainstream, so did hip hop style evolve. Rapper | | | | were once previously only worn après-ski |
| staples like hoodies, baggie jeans and track suits | | | | were displayed après-everything. And |
| made their mark in the early part of the decade, | | | | shoes with built-in wheels let people glide through |
| but they gave way to the sophisticated dandy | | | | the streets straight into their orthopedic doctor's |
| look of blazers, pink polo shirts, and cardigans. It | | | | office. |
| was 80s preppy with hip hop swagger. | | | | White trash fashion. True, "white trash" is a |
| Form fitting silhouettes. The baggy, loose-fitting | | | | stereotype, but hipsters in the noughties |
| fashions from the nineties had to be emptied | | | | embraced it as a badge of honor. Trucker hats, |
| from our closets as we favored tighter fits. | | | | white tank tops and tees, mechanic's shirts and |
| Those old wide leg pants with pleats were out, | | | | cowboy boots became the height of fashion. It |
| and the decade ushered in the popularity of the | | | | was a little bit country, and a little bit rock and roll. |
| skinny, low rise jean. Drainpipe styles like we | | | | Shrunken men's clothes. Grown men suddenly |
| hadn't seen since the 60s were popular for both | | | | looked like they were shopping in the boys |
| women and men. The ultimate example of the | | | | department, as fashion design arbiters favored |
| tight clothing trend was leggings, which made a big | | | | the shrunken clothing look. Suit jackets were |
| comeback in the decade. They were paired with | | | | tighter and shorter. Trouser legs broke above the |
| long, fitted tops, baby doll dresses, and even mini | | | | shoe, baring the ankles. And for a brief period, |
| skirts. | | | | Capri pants for men were even in vogue. |
| Celebrity obsession. The past decade saw | | | | Big belts. Once upon a time, belts were made to |
| fashionistas following and imitating celebrities like | | | | keep your pants up. Thanks to the noughties, |
| never before. The paparazzi stalked young | | | | they're huge (both literally and figuratively) on top |
| Hollywood with a frenzy matched only by fans' | | | | of dresses, t-shirts, and yes, pants (but not |
| desire to dress like their favorite starlets. We | | | | necessarily within the loops). They're also studded |
| scrutinized the accessories and shoes of fashion | | | | with jewels and feature gigantic buckles that rival |
| forward television characters. Everyone asked, | | | | the size of Rhode Island. |