Britney Spears July 6, 1999; Washington, DC; Britney Spears in concert at Constitution Hall in DC. Mandatory Credit: Jym Wilson/USA TODAY NETWORK

In a world where nostalgia reigns supreme, the millennial aesthetic is experiencing a surprising yet unmistakable revival.

What was once seen as a hallmark of early social media, low-rise jeans, and pastel-hued MySpace profiles has now resurfaced as a defining style for today’s youth.

The millennial look, characterized by chunky sneakers, graphic tees, logo-heavy fashion, and the iconic pop culture of the late ’90s and early 2000s, is not just a relic of the past— it’s being rediscovered and embraced with fresh enthusiasm.

The side part (for hair) is even rumored to make a comeback.

This resurgence isn’t just about looking back; it’s about celebrating a time when fashion, tech, and digital culture were in a state of rapid evolution.

As younger generations, like Gen Z, explore the style of their predecessors, the millennial aesthetic is emerging as a quirky and playful reminder of a simpler, more experimental era. From Y2K fashion to tech nostalgia and retro pop culture references, the millennial aesthetic has found new relevance in an era where digital lives and offline expressions are becoming more interconnected.

But why is the millennial aesthetic making such a strong comeback now?

Once associated with a specific period (roughly from the late 1990s to the early 2010s), the visual culture of millennials is being revived, reinterpreted, and embraced by a new generation. Whether through nostalgic fashion or internet trends, the millennial aesthetic is reemerging and reshaping the style landscape in ways that speak to both the past and present.

Let’s define the “millennial aesthetic.”

  • Bold Colors & Playful Patterns: Think neon greens, bright pinks, and pastel blues mixed with funky geometric designs.
  • Graphic Tees & Logos: Wearing brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Juicy Couture, or Von Dutch was the norm, with oversized logos taking center stage.
  • Tech-Inspired Accessories: The rise of the flip phone, iPods, chunky headphones, and later, the early smartphones, played a huge role in shaping the visual language of the era.
  • Nostalgic Pop Culture References: Millennials grew up with TV shows like Friends, The OC, and Sex and the City, which influenced everything from style choices to attitudes about relationships and success.
  • “Basic” Fashion: The term “basic” became synonymous with items like UGG boots, denim skirts, and flannel shirts— a look that’s now being reinterpreted and even celebrated for its kitsch value.

A huge driving force behind the return of the millennial aesthetic is nostalgia. The last several years — especially during the pandemic — have prompted many people to look back at their formative years for comfort. Millennial adults, many of whom are now in their late 20s to early 40s, are finding solace in the visual culture that shaped their adolescence and early adulthood.

One of the most noticeable signs of the millennial aesthetic’s resurgence is in fashion. It’s now difficult to scroll through a social media feed without seeing some form of early 2000s fashion. Brands like Juicy Couture, Puma, and Tommy Hilfiger, which were staples in the millennial wardrobe, are making a comeback. However, it’s not just the brands that are returning— it’s the styles. Think low-rise jeans, flared pants, trucker hats, cropped tops, and velour tracksuits.

A huge part of the millennial aesthetic revival has been driven by brand nostalgia. Companies that defined the early 2000s, like Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, and Forever 21, have updated their styles for today’s market, keeping their iconic logos and preppy-chic aesthetics while adding modern tweaks. Meanwhile, fashion collabs between streetwear brands and vintage labels have brought back that signature blend of “cool” from the millennial era.

Gen Z made it clear they’re pretty obsessed with the aesthetic too. 

“Thrifting culture has also run rampant among the younger generation, as seen through an influx of vintage store hauls on Instagram and TikToks posted by teenagers chronicling hangout sessions at second-hand shops,” Courtney DeLong wrote in L’OFFICIEL 

YouTube and social media influencers are also playing a role in reigniting the millennial aesthetic. Many influencers are rediscovering and showcasing their old-school wardrobes, bringing Y2K fashion and vintage aesthetics to a new audience.

Meanwhile, memes and digital graphics that reference early internet culture, like MySpace layouts, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) chatroom vibes, and Windows XP aesthetics, are popping up again as a nostalgic form of humor and visual culture.

Here are some nostalgic sounds:

You can even add music to your Instagram profile now like the MySpace days.

The millennial aesthetic represents a simpler time, a moment before the complexities of modern technology and social media dominance fully took over. It reflects a time when people were more focused on self-expression through physical style, when digital culture was still being shaped, and when the internet had a sense of innocence and wonder.

Moreover, the millennial aesthetic taps into a universal sense of nostalgia— a longing for a time that, for many, feels carefree and full of possibility. It’s also about embracing imperfection and quirkiness— values that were a hallmark of millennial culture. The rise of platforms like TikTok and Instagram shows just how relevant the aesthetic still is in the context of self-presentation, with users mixing and matching old-school styles to create something new and fresh.

The resurgence of the millennial aesthetic is more than just a trend; it’s a full-circle moment. What was once seen as “so last decade” has now been reintroduced as an era-defining, bold, and nostalgic cultural movement. Whether through fashion, music, pop culture references, or digital trends, millennials are embracing their cultural legacy, while younger generations are giving it new life and meaning.

In the end, the return of the millennial aesthetic is a reminder that style, culture, and technology are ever-evolving. What once defined a generation is now making waves again, capturing the imagination of today’s youth and reminding us all of the beauty and boldness of a simpler time.

About Jessica Kleinschmidt

Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.