Headline history: Early 2000s fashion bright and colourful
Published 4:30 pm Friday, May 22, 2026
There is no better indicator of a time period than the fashion choices.
Back on May 29, 2000, it was “bright checkered and paisley-printed handkerchief bandannas” and a “straw handbag with embroidered accents.”
At the time, the Nanaimo News Bulletin published a fashion feature called “Summer Fashion,” with Spotlight Academy, with models to show off the season’s fashion, displaying the most popular styles.
Besides bandannas and handbags, surfer-style puka shell necklaces were making a comeback for all genders, along with vintage brooches.
For colours, vibrancy was noted to be best, along with bold designs, stating “this spring go funky.” Some popular fashion choices included board shorts, shawls, crinkled skirts and long dresses. Blazers, much like today, were a “must-have for every working women’s wardrobe.”
While “paisley printed handkerchief bandannas” may no longer be in fashion, it never hurts to be prepared for the odd fashion comeback.
