7 Jewellery Trends from the 2000s
Fashions tend to follow 20-year cycles. Therefore, trends that were popular in the year 2000, also known as Y2K, are just beginning to see a nostalgic comeback. At Colonial Acres Coins, we offer many examples of estate jewellery. We encourage you to shop with us for fun and interesting pieces from the first decade of the 21st century, also known as the Aughts. Here is a guide to help you know exactly what you are looking for.
1. Colourful, Candy-Inspired Pieces
In the 1990s, candy necklaces were popular amongst children and young teens. By the year 2000, these kids had grown into young adults, and they still wanted to express the same whimsy in a more mature way. Thus the early Aughts saw a trend of colourful necklaces made with plastic beads that resembled the candies strung together on children’s playthings. The trend extended to other types of candy that had not been associated with jewellery before, such as plastic beads and charms made to resemble gummy bears.
2. Chunky Rings
Another colourful aspect of 2000’s fashion trends was chunky rings made in an array of pastels. These were typically made out of resin rather than any sort of precious metal, and part of the appeal was that you could stack them. By wearing multiple rings on the same finger, you could create a look that was all your own.
3. Padlocks
Louis Vuitton started out as a luggage manufacturer and later became a luxury brand for fashion accessories. The padlock became a trademark of Louis Vuitton in 1901. However, while the brand could claim that its particular padlocks were intellectual property, there was nothing that could stop competitors from making imitations.
Thus, jewellery featuring padlocks became popular during the Aughts. Many people were probably trying to give the impression that they were buying the luxury brand even if they couldn’t actually afford it. However, many who wore padlock jewellery may not have even been aware of the association. A padlock can have a number of symbolic meanings, such as loyalty and trust.
4. Hoop Earrings
Hoop earrings are a reliable recurring fashion trend. Typically made of gold or at least material that looks like gold, they tend to make a comeback every 20 years or so. Hoop earrings can be large or small, but when the trend makes a reappearance, it tends to do so in a big way.
5. Butterflies
Butterflies were a popular design motif in 2000s fashion. They could be featured in jewellery pieces including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. It is easy to see why butterfly jewellery was so popular. Butterflies symbolize renewal and rebirth, the perfect symbol for the start of a new millennium. Furthermore, butterflies evoke a feeling of carefree youth without appearing immature. With the right piece, people of all ages can wear butterfly jewellery.
6. Smiley Faces
In the very early 2000s, people were still caught up in the dot-com boom and embedding pictograms in online text was just beginning to be popular. Therefore, when you look at smiley face jewellery from the early Aughts, you probably think of the emojis that are popular today. Nevertheless, smiley faces have been popular since the nascent years of the Computer Age in the late 1970s and early 80s. In the early 2000s, they were making their own comeback.
7. Daisies
Daisies have an association with the innocence that dates back centuries, so perhaps it isn’t surprising that they became popular in jewellery during the naively optimistic days of the late 1990s and early Aughts. Like the butterfly, the daisy is a motif that can express free-spirited whimsy appropriate for all ages.
Wearing jewellery from the past, even the relatively recent past, is a way to connect with history. Colonial Acres Coins features antique and vintage jewellery in addition to estate jewellery. Check out our wide selection here.