When it comes to embodying the ebullient spirit of Y2k fashion, consider the girls of NewJeans maestros. Their latest comeback with new single ‘How Sweet’ showcases yet another smorgasbord of dynamic looks. Fitting aptly with the track’s energetic, ’80s-inspired beat, the music video is something out of a teenage flick, revolving around a road trip, with the girls celebrating the dawn of summer in sporty, low-rise bottoms, platform sandals, and colourful prints.
While the K-pop scene has been flourishing at an unprecedented pace for the past decade, so has its penchant for nostalgic styling that extends to a wide spectrum. Much like how today’s fashion landscape sees goth revival co-existing with coquettecore, in the Y2K realm, baggy streetwear-inspired looks can too, blend with preppy, girlish ensembles. This was exemplified in the K-pop scene back in the early aughts, by way of second-generation idol groups.
In one look, the members of NewJeans embrace an all-American, preppy aesthetic with plaid bottoms, white socks, tennis sweaters, and logo-crest blazers worn with casual and athleisure pieces for a modern twist. This is reminiscent of Girls’ Generation’s fun, flirty twists on the school and cheerleader uniforms in the ’00s.
With off-shoulder tops, edgy layers, and laid-back beanies and baseball caps, the girls of NewJeans take on a grungier and more mature approach to Y2K fashion for the second outfit change in the music video. The simple, more down-to-earth outfits mirror the signature style of Brown Eyed Girls, best known for the song ‘Abracadabra’.
The members of NewJeans also experiment with a more androgynous take on the exaggerated athletic side of the Y2K trend, almost a nod to BigBang’s bold and eclectic fashion of the ’00s. These looks feature streetwear influences such as baggy pants, chunky sneakers, and bold accessories like oversized sunglasses and chunky jewellery.
For a particularly thematic take on Y2K nostalgia, shop the best pieces as seen in NewJeans’s ‘How Sweet’ music video below.
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Sporty & Rich Logo-embroidered cotton jumper, $445
Available at Farfetch.
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TNT Timberlant 6" Boots Brown, $282
Available at Thisisneverthat.
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Calvin Klein Modern cotton lightly lined bralette, $89
Available at Calvin Klein.
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Northworks D-725 necklace, $112
Available at Northworks Folk/N.
