Welp, this Y2K Disney Channel trend is officially back — here’s how it works for 2024

Fashion is cyclical, and yet there are some trends that I was always convinced would never make a comeback: like giant ’80s-style shoulder pads or heroin chic. Another trend I thought we were officially done with? The madness that spanned the year 2000. That is, until Pinterest’s fall trends report found that searches for “skirt over jeans outfit” increased nearly 700 percent. When I saw these four words together, I immediately became excited, and flashes of flared jeans worn under shawl-hemmed dresses swirled before my eyes, like in the drunken scene Dumbo.

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A sort of “everything but the kitchen sink” approach to dressing beloved by Disney Channel costume designers. Y2K Layers seemed to have no limit on the number of accessories or clothing items a girl could wear. Back then, I was only too happy to throw on several polo collar shirts, a bolero shrug, a ruffled miniskirt, flared jeans, a wide ring belt, huge statement jewelry, and a matching skinny scarf before skipping out the door to school. The sheer amount of material I had piled on my body should have exhausted me, but youthful exuberance carried me through, along with the joy of looking just like Ashley Tisdale and Miley Cyrus. Given my current obsession with ’90s minimalism, it’s hard to believe that I, or anyone else, ever wore so many layers—and yet here we are, with street style stars once again experimenting with unexpected combinations.

As a Millennial, this trend might be too close to home for me to overcome middle school memories and try dresses over pants again. But another fashion phrase that I’ve found to be true is “Never say never.” I once vowed to never wear low-rise jeans again, and yet I currently have three pairs of low-rise pants that I wear fairly regularly . In case I pluck up the courage to revisit the Y2K-era trend, I’ve put together a list of three style rules that might just be the saving grace in avoiding the pitfalls of our original layering experiments.

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1. Keep it simple

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Y2K layering was all about maximalism, but this time I think it’s best to keep everything to a minimum. This means opting for solid colors, sleek silhouettes, and very few accessories. If you want to wear a skirt over pants, try coordinating the colors and fabrics for a more seamless look. If you prefer to pair your pants with dresses, opt for pieces with minimal details and clean lines so as not to overwhelm your figure.

2. Sheer layers are your friends

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Sheer materials have become a hot trend over the last year that I love for their versatility. A sheer dress, skirt, or tunic adds depth and structure to an outfit without necessarily showing off your underwear or even much skin. When worn over an already complete outfit, they can feel more like an accessory than a second dress. Opt for sheer fabrics (like tulle, lace, and mesh) over opaque fabrics, which risk appearing heavy.

3. Stick with modern silhouettes

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Move away from the shawl hem skirt. I know boho ruffles are back in style, but wearing too many Y2K-era pieces at once will make you look dated or like you’re wearing a costume. Instead, I suggest opting for modern silhouettes—tailored pants instead of flared jeans, a tennis skirt instead of ruffled tiers, a crisp button-up shirt instead of layered tank tops—to ensure your fit feels current.

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