AaliyahCore: the Y2K Revolution
Graphic by Lee Olson
Within the past few years, fashion has continued to turn to vintage trends as the new generation becomes more and more comfortable with the concept of thrifting as opposed to fast fashion. One decade has truly stood out in this vintage resurgence: the early 2000s. Though this new fashion trend does take strong influence from past trends of the late 90s and early 2000s, its main strengths lie in its careful reframing of this style into a less conservative style that is more inclusive than ever. Y2K is not just a style– it is a movement towards a true expression of inner style. This has been reflected through my favorite Y2K influencer of all… Aliyahsinterlude.
Popular TikTok influencer Aliyahsinterlude has continued to wow audiences with her exciting takes on this new/old style, bringing new takes to the forefront of fashion. Fans of vintage stores and the St. Paul bins (such as myself) are more than happy to adopt this new style. It encourages playing with creativity in clothes, using a childlike eye when putting together outfits, and embracing a bright color palette and bold pattern combinations.
Aliyah’s looks are less about trying to purchase a certain brand or look a certain way, but rather about true art. Reflecting this, her style puts more emphasis on the creation of a layered look rather than cohesion, with her stating:
“Aliyahcore has little to do about what you’re wearing but how you accessorize it.”
Though some may find themselves confused with the recreation of this early 2000s style, this is no surprise considering past swings in fashion trends. In the early 2000s, we were faced with a recession; we are facing another now. This leads to consumers choosing more affordable clothing sources, which may not always match. This incentivizes being creative with our choices.
Furthermore, Y2K is adorable. With new expressions of gender becoming more acceptable, Aliyah’s hyper-femme approach to early 2000s trends is positive and reflects a true sense of connectivity with her inner self and expression — a lesson applicable to all of us. Her love of accessories, such as whale tails, layered jewelry and belts, and of course lots of overlapping tights, also connects her to the Y2K staples
Aliyah is most unique in her move to apply her style to all, not just those who embody hyperfeminine stereotypes. In her latest videos, she attempts to create a modest Aliyahcore look as well as a masculinized version. These new applications of the style make it truly an available option for all.
This new style movement stands out because it indicates a new era of inclusivity in fashion and strikes out against fast fashion. Ripped tights, old clothes, and holes are not tacky: they are chic and a stylistic choice. Aliyah may not be the only fashion influencer making vintage cool again but she is certainly at the forefront and I, personally, can’t wait to see which look she accessories next.