If you’re like me, you have a longstanding obsession with your own childhood. This means you probably have a suitcase bursting with Barbies safely stowed in the attic and keep photos of your three-year-old tutu-clad self (mid-tantrum) close at hand. Widespread nostalgia for the turn of the millennium manifests itself in the recent (and obvious) resurgence of late ’90s/early ’00s fashion staples, like flirty midriff-baring halter tops or turtlenecks of all and every variety. With our Fashionista’s look, you can have the best of both millenniums—both from five-year-old you’s perspective AND that of the ’98 teen starlet you never were—at least not yet.
This Fashionista rocks a vintage Mickey Mouse baseball jacket, scavenged from the children’s section at the Salvation Army Thrift Store. If you’re petite—and even if you aren’t—taking a stroll down the tiny tots aisle is always a great hack, because everything will be under 3 bucks, it’ll never be picked over by other hungry vintage vultures and anything you find will always fit snug and show off a little bit of midriff, lending to that circa-2000 aesthetic that you so desire.
Now that you’ve secured your status as queen bee of the Little League, your next step is building the rest of your outfit. This Fashionista sports a striped spaghetti strap crop top that playfully (but not offensively) clashes with her jacket. You can find one at American Apparel, or —if you’re handy with a pair of scissors—chop off a slab of an old cami. This look would also work well with an infusion of Sporty Spice via a retro sports bra (which are also fairly cheap and easy to thrift).
After assembling a core look, it’s time to accessorize! This Fashionista keeps it badass like Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate about You, with combat boots, long and untamed hair and low-waisted tight black skinny jeans. Go crazy with mismatched studs or pop a battery in one of your childhood wristwatches. Now you’re ready to haul out the long-neglected karaoke machine and cut loose with the other high school misfits.
What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “Don’t be afraid to experiment with conflicting patterns, colours and styles. You’ll never know until you try (it on)!”
