Outfits From 2000s Baddies To Use As Y2K Halloween Costumes
Because there's nothing scarier than the return of low-rise jeans!
It’s spooky season with a throwback twist! This millennial reporter never thought she’d see the day, but Y2K fashions are back and better than ever! (Seriously—early 2000s styles look way better without the overplucked eyebrows and chunky highlights.) This Halloween, squeeze on all the low-rise jeans you want with a Y2K-themed costume inspired by film and television icons such as Jennifer Check from Jennifer’s Body, Laney Boggs from She’s All That, and, of course, Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie from The Simple Life. We’ve also included your favorite baddies and mean girls: 2000s group costumes for all your best (and worst) friends like The Plastics from Mean Girls or the girls from John Tucker Must Die.
The best part about these costumes is that they’re pretty DIY: while 2000s outfits are trending, you can find similar styles—and sometimes exact matches—to these iconic characters on Etsy and Depop. (Now add back the overplucked eyebrows and chunky highlights, and your Y2K Halloween costume will look truly scary!) Happy Halloween!
1. Jennifer Check from Jennifer's Body
Jennifer's Body is the perfect combination of Y2K and Halloween. Get Jennifer Check's ironically cutesy zip-up sweatshirt and try not to burn your tongue with a lighter when you eventually recreate the classic scene.
2. Elle Woods from Legally Blonde
Elle Woods' outfits are ideal for any boss baddies out there. As the patron saint of pink once said, "Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed!"
3. Jenna Rink from 13 Going on 30
Yes, this dress is real and seemingly everywhere on the Y2K blogs. See: the actress who played young Jenna Rink in the original film.
4. Cady Heron from Mean Girls
Cady has so many iconic looks in Mean Girls, but her black and pink dress is now available on Etsy!
5. The Plastics from Mean Girls
Same goes for Regina George and crew!
6. Torrance Shipman from Bring it On
Ariana Grande reminded us that the toothbrush scene from Bring it On is one of the cutest scenes in movie history.
7. Isis from Bring it On
As queen of the Clovers, Gabrielle Union deserves our respect too!
8. Suki from 2 Fast 2 Furious
Suki's pink car raced into our hearts in 2 Fast 2 Furious. Actress Devon Aoki tops the charts for favorite Y2K baddie.
9. Lucy Wagner from Crossroads
Crossroads is an underrated classic. Written by Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes and starring Britney Spears, its other iconic castmates such as Kim Catrall and Dan Aykroyd decided to be in the movie simply to meet Britney!
10. Laney Boggs from She’s All That
Netflix's reboot has nothing on the original cusp-of-Y2K film She's All That. Dress up as pre or post-makeover Laney Boggs, because she's all that either way!
11. Anna Coleman from Freaky Friday
One of many baddies played by 2000s queen Lindsay Lohan, Anna is a punk princess with attitude. And, look, those chunky highlights make an appearance!
12. Lola Cep from Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
Lindsay Lohan's most underrated Y2K role: Mary Elizabeth "Lola" Cep in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. Spot Megan Fox as Lola's resident mean girl in her own fabulous 2000s attire.
13. Penny Lane from Almost Famous
Kate Hudson stars as Penny Lane in the grungy classic Almost Famous, which technically features 1970s fashion by way of the 2000s, but Penny's outfits are definitely Y2K-inspired.
14. Molly Gun from Uptown Girls
One of the most well-rounded Manic Pixie Dream Girls recorded on film, Molly Gun (Brittany Murphy) floated into our lives in the 2003 film Uptown Girls. Her whimsical outfits are all dreamy and larger-than-life.
15. Mia Thermopolis from The Princess Diaries
Like Cady Heron and Laney Boggs, Mia Thermopolis is another shy girl turned baddie in The Princess Diaries. Pair with your best friend (or enemy) as prep school mean girl Lana Thomas (played by Mandy Moore)!
16. Sam Montgomery from A Cinderella Story
"Waiting for you is like waiting for rain in this drought!" Sam Montgomery (Hilary Duff) is iconic for that line delivery!
17. Shelby Cummings and her friends from A Cinderella Story
In A Cinderella Story, Sam has her work cut out for her even more than the original Cinderella, because she has an evil stepmom and an evil mean girl! Shelby Cummings (Julie Gonzalo) and her friends have the best costumes at the Halloween dance. Use them as Y2K angel costume inspiration!
18. Kat Stratford from 10 Things I Hate About You
Back when we said "badass" instead of "baddie", Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) was the prototype.
19. The girls from Coyote Ugly
Get your girls together and try out some bar tricks! Coyote Ugly embraces the low-rise jean and adds a huge belt buckle!
20. Josie and the Pussycats from Josie and the Pussycats
Josie and the Pussycats is the definition of "ahead of its time" both in its 2021-worthy Y2K looks and its criticism of pop culture at large. Ideal for groups of three!
21. The girls from John Tucker Must Die
The enemies-to-friends love story at the center of John Tucker Must Die is why this 2000s rom-com still holds up today. All the girls have great looks, so grab your friends and pick one of John Tucker's salty exes!
22. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie from The Simple Life
Though this is mostly a movies list, we must stop to pay respect to the "influencers" of yore: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Nobody would have known how to dress in the 2000s if Paris and Nicole didn't set the trends.
23. Buffy Summers from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy Summers slayed vampires with style in leather jackets and mini dresses. She's a sweetly spooky pick for Halloween, of course!
24. Cindy and Brenda from Scary Movie
Another pick from the horror genre, Cindy (Anna Faris) and Brenda (Regina Hall) are a hilarious part of the slapstick parody franchise Scary Movie, as seen in this beloved clip.
25. The girls from The Hot Chick
Rachel McAdams drives a convertible and has a tight-knit group of girlfriends that have to overcome obstacles—but it's not Mean Girls. This comedy film, also starring Rob Schneider, is all over 2000s aesthetic Tumblr for its adorable Y2K outfits and hilarious cast.
We Want to Hear From You
What’s your favorite 2000s character? Who are you dressing up as for Halloween?
Message us on Instagram @womendotcom or Facebook to tell us!