Slay Y2K: The Vegan Way

Blockbuster, Beanie Babies, and boy bands—what a fun time to be alive! And now Gen Xers, Millennials, and, well, everyone else can enjoy old favorites because Y2K style is back.

Think bold, futuristic vibes: tube tops, chokers, miniskirts, and platforms high enough to spice up your life. But as we channel the early 2000s, let’s not forget that compassion is always in style.

Choosing vegan clothing, vegan accessories, and cruelty-free makeup is an easy way to help our fellow animals—and the planet. So, we’ve compiled a list of ideas and products for you to build your own compassionate Y2K look.

Vegan Y2K Fashion:

Low-Rise Jeans:

Low-rise jeans? That’s hot! These hip-hugging pants were a Y2K staple—often paired with crop tops and belly chains. But remember: Always check that your jeans have no animal-skin patches.

Vegan clothing is made without using animal skin. Check out the more than 1,000 companies that use the “PETA-Approved Vegan” logo.

Baby Doll Dress:

Now, let’s pay homage to the iconic baby doll dress.

Faux Fur-Trimmed Coats:

Wrap yourself in Y2K vibes with a faux fur-trimmed coat. Check out brands like N’ONAT, Unreal Fur, and LaSeine&Moi. Each year, approximately 100 million animals are killed for their fur. Ensure you aren’t funding this cruel industry, even secondhand—always go for faux.

Miniskirts:

Pleated or A-line, miniskirts are a Y2K staple that look awesome with tall leather-free boots.

Crop Tops:

Time to dust off your old jazzercise videotape! Short shirts that show off the midriff are a symbol of Y2K fashion.

Platform Shoes:

Say a prayer for your ankles! Chunky heels and platform shoes were super popular in the early 2000s. Be sure your shoes are animal-skin-free. Try brands like Call It Spring or Moo Shoes.

Tube Tops:

Tube tops were tight-fitting and strapless, sometimes with trippy designs.

Denim Everything:

Take a cue from that era’s American Music Award red carpet outfits: The limit of how much denim you can wear does not exist.

Cruelty-Free Y2K Cosmetics:

Frosty Eyes & Lips:

Frosted lips and shadow colors in shades of pink, silver, or frosted nude were a staple of Y2K makeup.

Only frost yourself with cruelty-free makeup. Check out PETA’s searchable database, PETA’s Ultimate Cruelty-Free List. Here, you’ll find a list of companies that don’t test their products on animals.

Glitter Everywhere:

Y2K was all about the bling-bling. Glitter was on eyelids, cheeks, lips, shoulders, and arms. Glitter gels and loose glitter powders were must-have makeup items. Check out Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Glitter Eyeshadow or e.l.f to recreate the glittery glam.

Metallic Eyes & Lips:

Metallic and shimmery eyeshadows in vibrant shades like frosty blue, silver, and purple were often used to create a futuristic eye makeup look.

Thin Eyebrows:

Y2K was all about thin, arched eyebrows that were often over-plucked and filled with pencil for a defined look. Be careful, though! Overplucking may lead to regrets …

Dark Lip Liner:

Y2K makeup lovers use a darker lip liner to outline the lips, often contrasting with a lighter lip gloss shade. But always scan the ingredient list for beeswax. On factory farms, workers cut off the queen bee’s wings so she cannot leave the colony. Check out compassionate products like Kind Words Matte Lip Liner by Rare Beauty.

Glossy Lips:

Is it me, or did everything in the early 2000s look slightly wet? High-shine lip glosses in various colors were used to create shiny lips. We love these NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip selections.

Bold Nails:

Between yin and yang symbols, peace signs, and smiley faces, Y2K nails often had fun nail designs. For a cleaner look, the square-tip French manicure was popular, too.

Vegan Y2K Accessories:

Bucket Hats:

Bucket hats are comfy—and seriously cute. Especially the denim or fuzzy ones! Just be sure anything fuzzy doesn’t contain wool: Every sheep is someone, yet the wool industry treats them like machines.

Chokers:

Choker necklaces complete any Y2K look! From tattoo chokers to bejeweled varieties, always opt for sustainable jewelry like SiiZU. And make sure your chokers are animal-skin free!

Futuristic Metallics:

Metallic fabrics, such as silver or holographic materials, were often used in Y2K fashion to create a funky, futuristic vibe. But remember: Never buy silk! Humane upgrades—including nylon, polyester, and rayon—are soft and easy to find.

Rhinestones and Sequins:

Bling, bling! Sparkly embellishments, like rhinestones and sequins, were everywhere in the early 2000s.

Butterfly Clips:

Butterfly hair clips added a final touch to many hairstyles. Don’t forget your zig-zag part!

Chunky Belts:

These wide, statement belts were often worn over dresses, tops, or even low-rise jeans, giving something extra to every look—and a way to cinch the waist.

Whether dancing to NSYNC or Backstreet Boys, vegan Y2K style celebrates nostalgia with a compassionate upgrade.

Each year, billions of animals endure suffering and death for the fashion industry. Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People—all part of Urban Outfitters Inc.—sell items like wool, cashmere, mohair, down, silk, and alpaca fleece—all of which involve cruelty.

There is no reason to abuse animals for clothing. Period. So, please join us in calling on Urban Outfitters to commit to only animal-free fashion in all its brands.

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