With 2026 being deemed the new 2016, I think we’re all digging through our closets for some vintage fashion. Sometimes, we’re in need of a blend of old and new. But what about a mix of 2004? 2005? 2006? Like many other young Arabs, my Y2K fashion icons were also music geniuses. Low-rise jeans, cool eyeshadow, and songs that are practically timeless? Growing up listening to Nancy Ajram, Elissa, Sherine, among other amazing artists meant two things: the early 2000s Arab fashion engrained itself into my DNA, and the songs never left my playlist. What if we pull a Hannah Montana and combine the best of both worlds? Here is a spin on Y2K fashion, inspired by the music of iconic Arab popstars.
A Fit Guaranteed to Make Your Crush Lose His Mind
“Ah W Noss” was quite literally life changing for many of us. Ajram’s music video is set in a rural Lebanese village, offering the classic “homey” vibe many Arabs grew up with. As the Queen of Arab Pop does her chores—looking about chic as ever—we watch her teasing her childhood crush throughout the song. The recipe to making him lose his mind? Coins, coins, coins.
This outfit throws together a two-piece set and a pair of baby blues. Layered with earrings, anklets, bracelets, and yes, the iconic coin belt, it’s the perfect mesh of casual and cute. What’s perfect about this inspired fit is that the coin belt is adjustable: place it over your bandana to perfectly capture Ajram’s coin scarf, throw it around your waist, or decorate a classic grunge Y2K purse to blend traditional Arab fashion with the typical 2000s look.
Elissa’s Hopeless Romantic Approved Fit
Recording a song with your boo and daydreaming about dancing with him? Elissa is the Princess of hopeless romantics in her song, “Betmoun.” If we’re rearranging the stars with the man of our dreams, we need to pull something extraordinary out of our closets. The rose petals might not appear out of nowhere, but we can do our best to recreate the romance of Elissa’s outfits. That translates to our faves: reds and browns.
Elissa’s inspired outfit combines a romantic tone and that vibe your remember your young auntie having in the early 00s. The halter top and low-rise jeans scream Y2K, the sunglasses were definitely the cool girl’s make shift headband, and the cheetah-print purse is the staple of this stylish fit. While we’re all out of fresh roses, these earrings can help bring out a bit of the hopeless romantic. Daydreaming-about-your-crush vibe approved.
A Night Out With Sherine and the Girls
If “Sabry Aalil” doesn’t make you want to drop everything and dance, I don’t know what will. Sherine’s music video features a lively and colorful girl’s night out that we all wish we were apart of. Having a choreo of girls vs. boys? We’re going to need a functional but ultra-girlie fit.
Sherine blends Y2K fashion and Arabic music perfectly, which is why her inspired outfit incorporates both. A butterfly top and choker are clear markers of the 90s and 00s. Paired with baggy jeans, starry hair clips, a chunky heel, and the purse you’ve definitely seen your mom carry around, I’d say we’re practically there. White henna is what offers an unconventional twist to this outfit—we’re repping MENA heritage but making a classic beauty trend our own.
Fashion is all about mixing, matching, and making your closet a product of your creativity. Feel free to mess around with old, new, traditional, and unconventional. Y2K fashion represents a decade of iconic style all around the world. Keep expanding your cultural closet, N Crowd.
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