Low-rise jeans, velour tracksuits, and bedazzled tank tops are back on the rise along with McBling fashion. The style of the 2000s

is back. McBling has sprung back into style as Gen Z looks at past decades for fashion inspiration. Often mislabeled as Y2K, McBling is back and is trendy as ever. 

The McBling aesthetic and the Y2K aesthetic are often confused for one another but are distinctly different. The Y2K era is what jump-started the McBling aesthetic after it died down around 2003. The term was coined by Evan Collins of the Y2K Aesthetics Institute in 2016. The Y2K aesthetic is technology based and relies on futuristic looks. According to the Y2K Aesthetic Institute, some of its aspects include tight leather pants, silver eyeshadow, and shiny clothing. 

McBling is unmistakably different from the spacey and futuristic fashion of Y2K — an era of juicy couture tracksuits, celebrity scandals, and bedazzling. The McBling aesthetic revolves around excess and luxury. The perfect film to watch for a McBling introduction is Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls.” The film’s characters strive to appear wealthy and effortlessly cool.

The aesthetic started gaining real momentum on social media last year when quarantine caused Gen Z to resort to TikTok, where vintage fashion and pop culture thrive. Gen Z’s knack for thrifting, upcycling, and reselling has also become an important factor to consider is the return of early 2000s styles. According to Lyst, a global fashion search platform, Juicy Couture searches are up 179% this year versus last year.

Want to dress in the McBling style? First, acquire an OG set of the Big Bling Velour Tracksuit. Then, style your velour with matching tube tops, bralettes, and chunky sandals. For an extra touch, choose some bright-colored shades and pair your outfit with a mini Von Dutch bowling bag.