Welcome to Japan Trends Watch, our new series on current topics of interest in Japan. For our first edition, let's dig into a futuristic fashion trend sweeping the country today: Y3K.
People thought the year 2000 was the biggest in tech. There were fears of a computer bug tearing up systems worldwide. The Nokia 3210 was the "it" phone. The world was introduced to the gem that is the PlayStation 2.
At the same time, the fashion world took notice of the looks of pop icons such as Britney Spears and Destiny's Child (and, locally, Jolina Magdangal), kickstarting the Y2K trend. As a result, many female teenagers and young adults rocked colorful tight tops, low-rise jeans, jelly sandals, and playful hair clips. Back then, this was the idea of what the future vibe would be like.
Fast forward to 2024. A wave of nostalgia, coupled with AI influences, is bringing the same trend back —but with a twist. The Y3K aesthetic combines late '90s and early 2000s styles with sci-fi and cyberpunk elements. This bold fashion style is turning heads as it evokes similar imagery to generative AI creations.
According to Japanese fashion outlets, the Y3K trend is driven by influencers and brands seeking to "satirize the near future and digital world." This aesthetic is characterized by reflective designs, metallic shades, neon accents, and vibrant shades of blue. When worn together, these elements evoke nostalgia and futurism at the same time.
For those looking to embrace this aesthetic, social media hashtags such as #sabukaru (a shorthand for "subculture") and #TenshiKaiwai (originally associated with Japan's "blue angel" subculture) offer countless fashion ideas. One should also look at pop groups such as XG and aespa for inspiration. Until recently, even renowned artists such as Ariana Grande and Lisa have worn similar styles to promote their new singles.
The Y3K aesthetic intersects past and future, and its appeal has left a mark on Gen Zs of one of the biggest tech-crazed countries in the world.