Realistic 2000s Fashion
Dresses Over Jeans, Popped Collars, McBling, and Non-Functional Belts 👕
Although we played with Bratz dolls in the 2000s, we didn’t actually look like them (yet). In this week’s episode, we explore realistic, cringe, cursed yet iconic looks at a time when everyone had skinny eyebrows: Jeans over pants, capris, “going out tops”, layering, popped collars, bug sunglasses, ‘thin useless scarves’, mod revival, non-functional belts, shrugs, and more!
We flash back to what accessories/styles were all the rage, how people incorrectly call the McBling aesthetic “Y2K” fashion, and why these styles, despite having seen the trend cycle repeat in the 2020s, will never be the same as they once were. We also play Vogue or Rogue, where I go through my old outfits of the 2000s and rate whether they’re cute or just cursed. Lesson of the day from the ever-iconic Paris Hilton: Stop being desperate!!
Watch/listen: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Website
🛼 Haven’t You Heard?!
My fav things from the internet rn:
I was recently a guest on the wonderful Barbara Barna Abel’s podcast, Camera Ready & Abel. In Building Community vs. Building Audience, we talk about how BTS’ fandom, ARMY, has become a global, impactful community. Also check out our episode of Nicstalgia, Super Fans, Selling Out, and Personal Growth.
I am super excited to read Everything I Need I Get from You: How Fangirls Created the Internet as We Know It by The Atlantic staff writer Kaitlin Tiffany. It took me an hour to find since it was hidden in Barnes & Noble’s True Crime section on the top shelf – which no, I can barely even see let alone reach – but I got it! She wrote a piece for The Atlantic, Why Fangirls Scream. I always love pieces that dissect fan culture, give credit to the smartest and most engaged consumers on the planet, and push back against sexist, diminishing stereotypes around fanbases.
What better time to visit W Magazine’s archive, as they’ve chronicled Missy Elliott’s iconic style evolution and unwavering dedication to the suit silhouette. Also please never forget that my very first interaction back on Twitter in late 2021 was with the Queen of Avant-Garde herself, who responded to my declaration ‘Missy for President’ (an unofficial catch phrase of mine) with a simple, yet poetic purple heart emoji.
📚 Nicstalgia Book Club
The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman
I quote this book in this week’s podcast! I enjoy Chuck Klosterman’s analyses and thought his most recent work, The Nineties, was a super cool way to look back at the decade of my childhood. I always like reading pop culture books with perspectives different than mine; it’s interesting to see how a Gen X adult experienced the 90s versus a Millennial child.
I Love My Computer Because My Friends Live in It by Jess Kimball Leslie
I especially enjoyed the anecdote of Jess (also from suburban central Connecticut!) meeting her hero, Bette Midler, after having been active in Bette Midler chatrooms in the 90s. I do agree with the reviews that say this book gets less nostalgic and more ‘snarky, bitter, and jaded’ once we get to the chapters on social media (😳 lol), but overall, I liked the book.
Hello, Molly! by Molly Shannon
I have been obsessed with Molly Shannon since I was a kid, having watched Superstar DOZENS of times. I could probably still recite every line from this movie. Her memoir was funny, entertaining, but also super vulnerable, real, and trauma-informed. It was truly a delight to hear her story. I listened to it on audiobook because I wanted to hear her narrate. Would highly recommend.
💿 Hey Mr. DJ, put a [playlist] on
Playlist of the week:
Like Every 2000s Song Ever, at the time of this writing, includes 400 songs and clocks in at 24 hours and 26 minutes. That’s right, an ENTIRE DAY of 2000s music. It’s got all the hits, some obscurities you may have forgotten about, and of course, guilty pleasures. You’re welcome!!
🏆 Nicstalgia Trivia
Along with Missy Elliott’s iconic pink Adidas tracksuit from the 2003 Grammy Awards, this is my favorite pink monochrome outfit from the aughts. Who is the rapper in this now widely-circulated image that exemplifies what’s known as the McBling aesthetic?
Find the answer in this week’s episode of Nicstalgia!
Last Week’s Answer
On the podcast this week, I mentioned a Barbie doll that reminded me of the outfits Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling were recently seen wearing filming the Barbie movie. What’s the name of that neon wearing, rollerblading sk8er girl?
Hot Skatin’ Barbie, which looks relatively available to purchase on the internet with a wide variety of price points. (Mercari is as great place to find 2000s memorabilia.) Always versatile, she comes with ice skates too!
Watch last week’s episode, Unlocking Core Memories: Toys, Games, Barbies, Makeup, and Nostalgic Things (Mostly) of the 1990s, on YouTube!
🧨 Spice Up Your Life
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