That’s Hot: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie
Before influencer culture, there was Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie - two socialites and heiresses who laid the groundwork for expressive fashion in the Y2K-sphere.
Considerably the ultimate icons and it-girls of the early 2000’s, Paris and Nicole were dressed in trends from their Von Dutch hats to their kitten heel flip flops.
Dude, where’s my couture?
Paris and Nicole didn’t need to say what they were thinking - their T-shirts did it for them. From flirty one-liners to over-the-top designer logos, this dynamic duo would rock tees just as unfiltered as they were.
Some of the most iconic phrases include "Dramatic" – worn by Nicole, as if we didn’t already know, "Tell Your Boyfriend I Said Thanks" – peak 2000s passive-aggressiveness, "Don’t Be Jealous","Trust Fund Baby" – because subtlety wasn’t a Y2K trend, and of course, "Your Boyfriend Wants Me."
These were the precursor to meme fashion and were integrated into Paris and Nicole’s personal branding: their T-shirts were part of their persona - glamorous, sassy and unbothered.
Totes Glam: The Heiress Guide to Handbags
These girls had some serious baggage. Paris and Nicole didn’t just carry handbags, though - they defined the early 2000s “It-Bag” era. Their purses were more than accessories; they were status symbols, personality statements and occasionally, a tiny dog carrier. They wouldn't leave the house without a Louis Vuitton Monogram Bag – the early 2000s flex - Paris and Nicole were rarely seen without their oversized LV Speedys or Keepalls, proving that luxury should be both loud and logo-covered. Another staple was the Dior Saddle Bag – being among the first to popularize this instantly recognizable classic, a Chanel Flap Bag which worked beautifully when styled with the chaotic–
maximalism of the 2000’s, or a metallic Balenciaga City bag, with of course, a teacup chihuahua named Tinkerbell.
Because no heiress leaves the house without her purse - or her puppy.
Juicy Gossip: The Velour Tracksuit
Something as basic as a tracksuit was transformed into a status symbol when worn by tabloid stars with “Juicy” plastered across the back in rhinestones. Something Paris and Nicole wore humbly, these velvet uniforms were celeb-endorsed and paparazzi-approved.
The Simple Life, The Complicated Wardrobe
The Simple Life was a TV show that gave Paris and Nicole a peek into small-town life, and was peak early 2000s fashion - chaotic, campy and completely iconic. In a blue collar world, they never wanted anything other than pink glitter. Paris and Nicole somehow made farm work look stylish (or at least, entertainingly impractical), but dressed for the farm? Never.
The show was campy, and their outfits leaned all the way in - think rhinestone-studded crop tops, metallic mini skirts and their bag collection - perfect for mucking stalls, obviously.
A duo and name to last
As fashion’s first Influencers, they were a main reason why we identify our well-loved Y2K trends with what they are. If there were to be a “The Heiress Handbook: Dressing Like Paris & Nicole in the 2000s,” there would be loads of lip gloss, logomania and low-rise denim with each their own personal branding. And when it comes to oversized sunglasses, the bigger the better - take it from them, they know how to hide from paparazzi. Although we see a lot of micro/mini trends today, skirts shorter than belts were a staple for these girls. The hemlines were short, but their impact was legendary.
Photo Caption: Photos taken from outside sources.
Written by
Kylie Caldwell