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PARIS HILTON: FASHION ICON

OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY
ON HER BIRTHDAY, CR TAKES A LOOK AT THE STYLES THE SOCIALITE AND
BUSINESSWOMAN POPULARIZED BACK IN THE EARLY 2000S AND HOW THOSE TRENDS
ARE COMING BACK TODAY

Frederick M. Brown

BY SARAH POWLESS FEB 17, 2022

As we all know by now, the styles of the early 2000s have returned to the
fore of the fashion world. From Instagram, to TikTok, to street style, Y2K’s
most beloved trends are nearly ubiquitous and have been seen on some of
the most celebs, influencers, and style stars. However, there is one person
we have to thank for popularizing these trends back in the early aughts
and facilitating their recent comeback. That person is none other than
beloved socialite and businesswoman, Paris Hilton. In the early 2000s,
Hilton was not only known for her club appearances and antics on The
Simple Life with Nicole Richie, but also for her outrageously fabulous style.
Specifically, she fearlessly leaned into the fashion trends of the day, taking
them to the next level and ensuring their prominence in fashion history.
Now, as the styles she donned so daringly back in the day have returned
with astonishing popularity, we can safely say that Hilton is not only a
fashion icon of the early 2000s, but also of the present-day.

PARIS HILTON ATTENDING THE “ORGANIC ODYSSEY 2003” BLUMARINE SPRING/SUMMER 2022
ECO CHIC FASHION SHOW IN 2003
Blumarine
Getty Images

LOW-RISE BOTTOMS

Low-rise bottoms are undoubtedly one of the most controversial and well-
known Y2K trends to make a comeback. Either loved or hated, the style was a
favorite of Hilton’s in the early aughts. Ultra-low-rise jeans, skirts, and trousers
that exposed jaw-dropping amounts of hip bone featured heavily in her
wardrobe for red carpets and street style. It’s no surprise then that similar
styles have been recently seen on various celebs and, more shockingly, several
runways including that of Blumarine for Spring/Summer 2022. This collection
featured several pairs of low-rise pants and shorts that looked ideal for the
Paris Hilton of 2002 and have also become popular among the fashion lovers of
Instagram and TikTok.

PARIS HILTON PARIS HILTON AND KIM KARDASHIAN FOR SKIMS

Pinterest Instagram

VELOUR TRACKSUITS

Everyone who was alive in the early 2000s can likely recall the overwhelming
popularity of the velour tracksuit. Conceived by brands such as Juicy Couture,
Hilton was just one of several Y2K fashionistas to wear these cozy ensembles
out and about on a regular basis. And, considering the overwhelming paparazzi
presence of the day, the whole world could see how frequently she donned
these vibrant ensembles and no-doubt wanted to follow suit. Now, in our
present day, this trend has returned, with Hilton being a primary source of
inspiration. For instance, for her much-loved loungewear label, Skims, Kim
Kardashian crafted a line of matching velour sets featuring zip-ups,
sweatpants, crop tops, and more. And, seeing has Kardashian and Hilton were a
dynamic style duo in the early aughts, Kim brought Paris in for a promotional
shoot for the line, which saw them traipsing around LA in Y2K paparazzi-style
shots.

PARIS HILTON AT HER 21ST BIRTHDAY PARTY IN 2000 FENCE SPRING/SUMMER 2022
Pinterest Fendi/Versace

CHAINMAIL DRESSES

If you simply google, “Paris Hilton iconic looks,” one of the first images you will
see is her silver Julien Macdonald chainmail dress, which she sported for her
twenty-first birthday party in 2000. It was risqué, sexy, and, ultimately,
legendary. The social media, runways, and fast fashion sites of today will
undoubtedly reveal that this is one of Hilton’s most beloved looks of the early
2000s to return. Everyone from celebs, designers, and influencers can’t seem to
get enough of chainmail dresses, including Kendall Jenner who wore a version
to her own twenty-first birthday. Recently, the Spring/Summer 2022 season saw
the collaboration of the longstanding Milan houses Fendi and Versace for a
joint collection dubbed “Fendace.” This show boasted several short metallic
frocks in Versace’s signature netted metal fabric, Oroton. Some models even
donned platinum blonde wigs with their dresses, giving viewers the ultimate
contemporary Paris Hilton experience.

PARIS HILTON WITH HER SISTER NICKY AT THE 2003 MTV DUA LIPA
MOVIE AWARDS
Instagram
Kevin Winter

FLOWY SKIRTS

If you saw Paris Hilton on a red carpet in the early 2000s, it was more than likely
that she would be in a slashed, flowy skirt. Showing lots of leg in a whimsical,
sexy way, they were easily a staple of her wardrobe and she no-doubt
contributed to their general popularity in the era. Such skirts have also returned
in a big way and have been seen on many of fashion’s current It-girls. For
instance, Dua Lipa recently sported a light pink Blumarine flowy skirt with a
corresponding butterfly crop top and shoes that appeared to be a direct
reference to one of Hilton’s most recognizable signature styles from the Y2K
era.

PARIS HILTON AT THE WORLD PREMIERE OF COMEDY BELLA HADID

CENTRAL’S KID NOTORIOUS IN 2003
Instagram
Carlo Allegri

SHOULDER BAGS

From both paparazzi pics and red-carpet images from the early aughts, one
can clearly see that Paris Hilton’s bag of choice was a shoulder bag. In a
variety of styles, from the Fendi baguette bag to plush furry ones, the times she
did not have one of these dainty bags under her arm were few and far between.
Today, shoulder bags are once again hugely popular, with many bearing
remarkable resemblance!to " some of those that Hilton donned in the early
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of the millennium. One notable lover of the Hilton-style shoulder bag is model
and fashion star Bella Hadid. Like Hilton back in the day, Hadid is rarely
pictured without one, and she is far from alone in loving this Y2K trend.

PARIS HILTON AT FHM’S “SEXIEST PARTY OF THE YEAR” IN MIU MIU SPRING/SUMMER 2022
2003
Miu Miu
Robert Mora

MICRO MINISKIRTS

One simply cannot talk about Paris Hilton’s Y2K style, without mentioning the
micro miniskirt. A signature style of hers, they were often incredibly low-rise and
daringly short. Hilton often wore them on red carpets or nights out, in a variety
of bold colors and sexy cuts. One label that has likely taken inspiration from
Hilton and brought this style back in a big way is Miu Miu. With its
Spring/Summer 2022 collection, the Milan-based house made headlines when it
sent several miniscule micro miniskirts down the runway with equally small crop
tops. It was shocking, jaw-dropping, and immediately brought our minds back
to some of Hilton’s most iconic looks from the early 2000s.

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Beverly Hills, California

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Never stop dreaming and always believe in love! Wishing you all a gorgeous Saturday, babes! What are your #weekend plans? #Sliving
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Needless to say, Paris Hilton is a pop culture legend. However, considering the
recent resurgence of Y2K styles, she has also been solidified as a fashion icon.
Although her looks may have been popular back in the day, their renewed
relevance has only served to strengthen her place in the fashion history books.
Thus, whether you like her style or not, there is no denying that she is a style
star of both yesterday and today.

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