Welp, this Y2K Disney Channel Trend Is Officially Back—Here’s How to Make It Work for 2024

A sort of “everything but the kitchen sink” approach to getting dressed beloved by the costume designers at Disney Channel, Y2K layering seemed to have no limit to the number of accessories or clothing items a gal could wear. At the time, I was only too happy to pull on multiple polo collar shirts, a bolero shrug, a ruffled miniskirt, flared jeans, a wide circle belt, huge statement jewelry and a coordinating skinny scarf before hopping out the door for school. The sheer amount of fabric I had piled on my body should have left me exhausted, but youthful exuberance carried me through, along with the joy of looking just like Ashley Tisdale and Miley Cyrus. My current obsession with ‘90s minimalism makes it hard to believe that I, or anyone for that matter, once dressed in so many layers—and yet here we are, with street style stars once again experimenting with unexpected pairings.

As a millennial, this trend might hit too close to home for me to overcome those middle school flashbacks and give dresses-over-pants another try. But another fashion phrase I’ve found to be true is “never say never.” I once vowed to never again wear low-rise jeans, and yet I currently have three pairs of low-rise pants that I wear pretty regularly. So in the off chance I gather the courage to revisit the Y2K-era trend, I’ve put together a list of three style rules that might just be the saving grace for avoiding the pitfalls of our original experiments in layering.

Y2K layering was all about maximalism, but this time around I think it’s best to keep everything to a minimum. This means opting for solid colors, sleek silhouettes and very few accessories. If you want to wear a skirt over pants, try matching the colors and fabrics for a more seamless look. If you’re more into pairing your trousers with dresses, opt for pieces with minimal detailing and clean lines to keep from overwhelming your frame.

Sheer materials have become a hot trend in the past year or so, which I love because of their versatility. A sheer dress, skirt or tunic works to add depth and texture to an outfit without necessarily showing off your undergarments or even much skin. When layered over an already complete outfit, they can feel more like an accessory than a second dress. Embrace these sheer fabrics (like tulle, lace and mesh) in place of opaque ones, which run the risk of looking heavy.

Step away from the scarf hem skirt. I know boho ruffles are back en vogue, but wearing too many Y2K-era pieces at once will make you look dated or like you’re in costume. Instead, I suggest leaning into modern silhouettes—tailored trousers in place of flared jeans, a tennis skirt in place of ruffled tiers, a crisp button-up shirt in place of layered tank tops—to ensure your ‘fit feels current.