Fashion

Trends We Spent Way Too Much Money On In The 2000s

by Emily McClure

Growing up in the early 2000s was a blessing. With TRL, flip phones, and the glory that was Seth Cohen, we couldn't have had it better. Looking back, the only weak point during the 2000s was the fashion. Not only was it just plain ugly, but oftentimes, early 2000s fashion trends were crazy expensive. Just think about. How many fights did you have with your parents over the cost of a Dooney & Bourke tote? While you thought that owning those coveted bags were the key to teenage success, your parents were often floored by the hefty bill.

However, none of us seemed to question these crazy trends growing up. Bedazzled denim mini skirts and fluffy winter boots just seemed like rational things to spend money on. No one seemed to care that they didn't make sense seasonally. But no matter what the cost, if Paris Hilton was rocking it, so were you — along with everyone else in your homeroom. Need a reminder about what crazy trends you splurged on growing up? Here are nine early 2000s fashion trends that were ridiculously expensive.

1. Trucker Hats

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After Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie were spotted sporting these hats on The Simple Life, many of us (including myself) had to have a trucker hat. It seemed completely chic in, like, a cool laidback way at the time. However, these hats became very pricey due to their notoriety. The Los Angeles Times even reported that the infamous Von Dutch hats ranged from $42-$125 in price.

2. Bedazzled Jeans

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Whether the fake rhinestones went down the sides or bejeweled the back pocket, everyone had to have these pricey jeans. Some pairs at even retailed for hundreds of dollars. Did we not know they weren't real diamonds?!

3. Velour Tracksuits

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The only thing cooler than a neon, velour zip up? A neon, velour zip up paired with velour bellbottoms in the same neon hue. And we would spend around $200 for a name brand tracksuit.

4. Designer Branded Handbags

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Remember when every designer had to have their logo splashed across all of their handbags? It was like carriers were walking advertisements for the brand! If you're gonna be a walking advertisement, shouldn't the brand be paying you instead? Apparently not: Buyers often had to pay a pretty penny for those luxe bags. Think hundreds, maybe even thousands, of dollars.

5. Studded Belts

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Looking "edgy" definitely wasn't cheap. These studded belts (often from Hot Topic) ranged from $15 to $20. While that may not seem like a lot of money now that we're sophisticated adults, it was a serious chunk of allowance back then.

6. Tops With Logos

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In the early 2000s, Hollister, Aeropostale, and Abercrombie & Fitch ruled the high school hallway. Every "cool girl" had to be seen with the tiny bird logo. However, these clothes weren't cheap. Like $80 for a sweatshirt not cheap.

7. Tiffany Charm Bracelets

If you were lucky enough to have one, you wore this Tiffany charm bracelets every single day to high school. As you should have, though. This blinged out bracelets costed anywhere from $200 to $400.

8. Belly Jewelry

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Girls with belly rings could never have just one. All of those different chains, baubles, and balls really added up.

9. Airbrushed Clothing

I think we all knew deep-down that it was tacky, but that didn't stop us from splurging at the mall for a cool airbrushed hat.

Looking back, these splurges may not have been the wisest use of cash — but I don't regret a single cent I spent.

Images: Getty Images (8); Giphy