New Year's Eve brings new opportunities and beginnings. It is a day to celebrate the year people had and the year that they’re going into — with drinking and dancing, of course. But for those ringing in the new year on Dec. 31, 1999, it was a day of fear. Entering a new millennium brought a sense of impending doom and technological panic across the globe.
It started with a seemingly small software glitch. In older computer programs, years were represented by their last two digits. This led to fears that technological systems would interpret “00” as “1900” instead of “2000,” according to EBSCO.

People imagined a world where computer systems completely shut down, and anxieties peaked globally in face of losing entire national systems.

Blackouts. Bank systems shutting down. Medical systems collapsing. As far as they knew, the equipment that was single-handedly running society would collapse. It wasn’t uncommon for people to refer to this as “the end of the world as we know it,” according to NPR.

This clearly did not happen — a small misunderstanding had simply been turned into mass panic, right before our eyes.

Entering the year 2000 didn’t call for an apocalyptic shutdown. Instead, people evolved into a new decade of fashion trends and rapid technological innovation. Y2K fashion consisted of bold, colorful and futuristic trends, and the style was so prominent in the early 2000s that it recently resurfaced in our current era.

Common Y2K trends included low-rise jeans, ballet flats, skirts, cargo pants, statement jewelry, sunglasses and fun tops. Funky patterns and glittery sequins reigned supreme. In short, it was an era of fun.

Celebrities and red carpet looks are an absolute time capsule of fashion in this time period. Paris Hilton never hit the runway without a tracksuit or trucker hat. Britney Spears always rocked low rise jeans and a crop top.

People had switched from the more grungy and minimalist 90s look into ultramodern, bling-based attire. Plaid skirts turned to denim and sweaters were traded in for graphic tees. Accessories were everything to a 2000s look.

While the 2000s were a progressive era for passion, it was also a time where technological development was accelerating. Physical technology, such as phones and computers, were advancing at an alarming rate, and digital spaces like videogames and social media were gaining popularity, too.

Phones have transformed — once used as devices with a sole purpose to call and text, phones can now hold an entire world. One that you can fit in your pocket.

Cellphones weren't the only forms of technology advancing. The MacBook was released in 2006, replacing the iBook and PowerBook with its sleek design, according to MacHistory. Technology was moving away from chunky, boxy looks into easily-portable devices with narrow structures.

The idea that fashion, art and technology are deeply interconnected is not a new one. And as technology continues to advance and transform, fashion will do the same, seen here with Y2K-inspired outfits and wires. In all seriousness, the world can be a dark place. Why not tap into something light every once in a while?

SHOOT LEAD Abby Nocera, ASST. SHOOT LEAD Jupiter Justice | PHOTOGRAPHERS Jupiter Justice, Shreya Jain | MODELS Shaniya Slaughter, Lexi Korff, Haylie DiCarlo, Alex Padilla, Chenai Mutsago, Pragalya Arumugam, Maylatt Eyassu, Jasmine Freeman | STYLIST Gracie Puhalj | MAKEUP ARTIST Vani Modi