This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on May 13, 2024 - May 19, 2024

The cyclical nature of style and trends is a phenomenon that has persisted for many years. Millennials yearned for the 1990s and now, Gen Z yearns for the 2000s.

The Y2K wave, as it stands with Gen Z now, is a reinterpretation of the zeitgeist of 2000s fashion, characterised by a nostalgic vision of the future tied together with elements of the current times.

The term was inspired by the Y2K problem, where there was fear of computational errors that could occur as the century turned from 1999 to 2000. But the widespread scare fizzled out and laid the foundation for new technologies. This style is greatly influenced by cyberspace and the prospects of that era.

#Y2K is almost inescapable, thanks to social media platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, and has become one of the most well-known internet aesthetics in current times. Here are some recurring gadgets that have made their way into the #Y2K resurgence.

Digital cameras, or digicams, have become a favoured gadget for photos among Gen Z. The sleek design, compact size and metallic frame fit the bill for visuals represented in the Y2K style.

The fairy-like glow and low resolution of images captured by the older versions of the digital camera appeal to people who ride the Y2K trend, enabling a window into the past. Its popularity is attributed to being authentic, where in a world of hyper-clear-definition photos, a grainy image taken with a camera signifies that the photo was captured “in the moment”.

Cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors and televisions were commercialised in the 1920s, but their usage lasted until the mid-2000s. The bulk of these CRT electronics made a substantial impression on the tech world and those who grew up in the 2000s.

There are a considerable number of photos of the Y2K aesthetics online that feature these CRT electronics. By having such devices in their images, they convey a certain vintage or retro feel that transports the viewer back in time.

While monitors and televisions have been substantially enhanced in recent years, the call back to CRT electronics is reminiscent of the time when it was considered a big step for technology.

Flip phones were considered the dominant mobile device during the 2000s. Compared to the minimalistic style of smartphones, flip phones had a maximalist style associated with it. Instead of putting on a phone case, people used to decorate their flip phones with glittering rhinestone designs and keychains as a way to show off not just their phone, but their personality.

Flip phones in its initial format might not see a revival, but it does have an influence on Y2K style, especially with the release of the Samsung Galaxy Flip, embodying the same sleek design and satisfying snap-shut action. Let’s face it, who can resist the palpable urge to snap it shut like a character from a 2000s coming-of-age movie!

The Y2K wave has impacted many aspects like fashion and decor, and music is definitely one of them. What better way to represent the return of music from the 2000s than reintroducing portable music players?

Portable music players like iPods and handheld CD players stand in contrast with the introduction of Bluetooth speakers and earphones. Like other gadgets on the list, it also has a retro vibe that reminds us of simpler times and devices.

Images of portable music players that portray the Y2K aesthetic online are usually sprawled across with tangled earphones to represent adolescence during the 2000s. Sometimes, they are paired with stylish clothes as a fashion statement.

Tamagotchis are handheld devices that contain virtual pets for users to take care of. Instead of having typical pets like dogs and cats, these devices have their own array of adorable critters that can be interacted with. The device originated in Japan and was named after a portmanteau of the words “tamago”, meaning egg, and “watch”, which essentially means to look after an egg.

The boom of Tamagotchis happened around the late 1990s and remained a highly popular toy fad until the mid-2000s. The simplicity of its game mode resonated with children and adults alike, and the cute pocket-sized design of the device has made its way around again for people looking to rediscover the joy of playing a Tamagotchi. These are still widely bought in Japan, with some even adopting themes of popular anime like Jujutsu Kaisen and Tokyo Revengers.

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