From bandage dresses to flip-flops: millennial fashion trends that are back in style
Millennials still wince at the memory of nightclub photos starring Hervé Léger bandage dresses, rubber flip‑flops and ultra low‑rise denim, yet the pendulum of taste has swung once more. On runways from Paris to Jakarta and on TikTok’s boards, the silhouettes, colours and textures that defined the 2000s have resurfaced with subtle upgrades: softer knits, premium leathers, eco fabrics. What looked loud in the era of digital cameras feels oddly fresh after seasons of quiet luxury. Designers have mined their archives while resale sites teem with early‑2000s listings. The result: fashion trends tweaked for grown‑up life.
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Bandage dresses 2.0
The bandage dress was once a staple of the club circuit, worn by every reality TV star from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton. But what made it iconic—its body-constricting fit, synthetic feel and overt sex appeal—also made it polarising. The updated version is less about clinging and more about contouring. Hervé Léger’s recent collections use seamless technology and matte knits to deliver structure without stiffness. Designers like Herve Leger, LaQuan Smith and ALAÏA have also revisited the silhouette in midi lengths and muted tones. Paired with a tailored blazer or simple heels, today’s bandage dress feels less “bottle service” and more boardroom-to-bar.
Flip-flops but luxe
Once considered the footwear of last resort, flip-flops have been rehabilitated by luxury houses. The Row’s £800 minimalist thong sandals, worn by everyone from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to Zoë Kravitz, kicked off the trend. Chanel introduced quilted leather versions in Cruise 2024, while Miu Miu paired their satin iterations with sheer tights for added irony. The appeal lies in contrast—pairing something as casual as flip-flops with elevated materials and polished styling. Think structured trousers, crisp shirting or an oversized linen suit. This is one of those fashion trends that reclaim the unfashionable and reposition it as intentional.
Low-rise jeans revisited
Nothing says millennial trauma like ultra-low-rise denim. But what’s returned is not a replica, but a rework. Rather than rigid waistbands and unforgiving cuts, the 2025 low-rise arrives slouchier, with relaxed tailoring and longer inseams. Designers such as Blumarine and Coperni have leaned into early-aughts nostalgia, but with styling that leans streetwear or editorial rather than adolescent. TikTok creators and stylists often suggest styling low-rise jeans with a high-cut bodysuit or a button-down shirt for a more grown-up interpretation. It’s a reminder that fashion trends rarely return unchanged—they get filtered through new lifestyles, body politics and comfort levels.
Graphic slogan tees
Whether you were team “Juicy” or “My Boyfriend is Out of Town”, the early 2000s saw T-shirts functioning more like billboards than basics. The 2020s version is slightly more self-aware. Labels like Praying, Mirror Palais and Marc Jacobs’ Heaven line have embraced ironic messaging—sometimes political, sometimes poetic. The best ones act as conversation starters, layered under structured jackets or oversized leather. Meanwhile, vintage fashion is having a moment: early-2000s tees from brands like FUBU, Von Dutch and Baby Phat are being snapped up by Gen Z thrift-hunters. Among returning fashion trends, this one merges satire and sentimentality.
Ballet flats return
Ballet flats were a defining part of the “off-duty” look worn by Sienna Miller, Kate Moss and the Olsen twins. Then they vanished—deemed too twee, too flimsy, too overdone. In their place: chunky trainers, platform boots, even Crocs. But the pendulum has swung again. This time, ballet flats come updated in mesh (Miu Miu), satin (Simone Rocha) or leather with squared toes (The Row). There’s even a return to elastic straps and flexible soles, reminiscent of actual dancewear. What makes them resonate now is versatility—they work with jeans, tailored trousers or even socks and miniskirts. This is one of the quieter but most persistent fashion trends of the year.
Cargo trousers upgrade
The return of cargo trousers signals a resurgence of utilitarian style, but this time without the bulk or overt masculinity. What once served as ravewear or mall fashion has been recast in technical fabrics, precision tailoring and sculptural silhouettes. JW Anderson, Dion Lee and Givenchy have all produced elevated takes, often in monochrome or stone tones. The many-pocketed design lends itself well to gender-fluid dressing and streetwear styling. Fashion-forward cities like Seoul and Copenhagen have embraced cargos as a staple, often paired with crop tops or oversized outerwear. As far as cyclical fashion trends go, this one’s got both legs.
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