Introduction
Back in the 2000s, Paris Hilton sang her way into everyone’s hearts, teaching us the slang and style of the early aughts, from low rise jeans to the iconic blue velour suit that had Ms. Hilton ruling the fashionista party days with a hot and daring vibe; I still remember checking my own closet for pieces inspired by her, and today her fashion reign has come full circle, making those trends back in style for a new generation, while her life off-screen—married to soul mate Carter Reum with a baby, creating a family of four—adds a relatable touch of excitement and little family joy, and with products featured on The Things, independently selected by a writer,
Paris Hilton’s Y2K Fashion Is Still Trending
Even in the modern era, fashion recycles itself, and we see resurfacing trends from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s everywhere, from track suits and platforms to low-rise jeans, crop tops, tinted aviators, and personalized necklaces. Celebrity Paris Hilton 2000s, the hotel heiress, defined the personal style of the decade, and her influence shaped the ’00s look for countless fans. While critics often minimized her, claiming she was just famous for being famous—news flash, she is still famous—her style impact was undeniable. Much like Winona in the 1990s, Paris became a fashion icon, and she bottled it up and sold it, making Y2K glamour accessible to all, while we drank Kool-Aid loving her every move.
Going out to nightclubs and restaurants with her partners in crime, including sister Nicki Hilton and bestie Nicole Richie, she was always photographed, showing off the looks that made her a pure icon. Fans captured countless photos of her on jobs, at events, or just in town, and she was among the first celebrities to get paid for appearances. Whether it was the iconic track suits or platforms, the personalized necklaces or tinted aviators, her appearance and style choices have come full circle and are usually back in fashion today, proving Paris Hilton 2000s influence sold it and bottled it up for generations to enjoy.
Paris Hilton x Juicy Couture Track Suits
In the 2000s, Paris Hilton photographed in Juicy and Juicy Couture tracksuits became the ultimate fashionista statement, attained status that put on the map her glamorous and effortless style. Almost 99% of her tracksuits were velour in a solid color, sometimes with a little belly showing, making her ahead of her time in early 2000s fashion. She could easily make even a simple tracksuit look glamorous, while tonal athleisure, low-rise bottoms, and ultra-low-rise jeans, skirts, and trousers revealed hip bone, becoming signature Y2K trends that were both liked and despised. Clothing like this wasn’t just for red carpets or street style; it featured prominently in her public appearances and gained massive popularity among fashion-conscious celebrities,
By 2002, her looks were usually seen on runways, Instagram, and TikTok, proving it comes as no surprise that her influence has gained enduring relevance. From attained money and recognition to put on the map her role as a fashion icon, Hilton’s tracksuits made her one of the first celebrities to make street style look aspirational. Seeing her photographed in tracksuits alongside celebrities and friends turned street style into a glamorous cultural phenomenon that still resonates today.
Paris Hilton’s Iconic Shoulder Bags and Micro Mini Skirts
In the 2000s, Paris Hilton’s go-to purse was always a shoulder bag, with petite purses from Louis Vuitton or LV becoming trendy styles that defined the first decade of the new century. These classic bags were re-vamped over time and gained massive popularity, putting Hilton on the map and showing why she attained fashionista status. Alongside her tracksuits—photographed in 99% Juicy Couture velour, often in a solid color with a little belly showing—she was truly ahead of her time in style, inspiring tonal athleisure looks that everyone wanted to copy. It is impossible to discuss Y2K fashion without noticing how her products, featured on The Things,
Equally iconic were her micro miniskirts, extremely low rise and daringly short, creating a distinctive look on red carpets and during evenings out in vivid colors and provocative cuts. Brands like Miu Miu, a Milan-based fashion label, made news with their Spring/Summer 2022 runway showing tiny micro miniskirts and tiny crop tops, immediately reminded viewers of Hilton’s recognizable looks from the early 2000s. Her style frequently brought up inspiration and has revived trends that stop and notice, proving Paris Hilton’s enduring influence as a fashion icon, blending her glamorous tracksuits and shoulder bags into an unmistakable Y2K aesthetic.
How Paris Hilton Curated Her Iconic 2000s Looks
When it came to choosing outfits for House of Y2K, Paris Hilton shared how her curation process was both thoughtful and personal. She had to narrow down to a few outfits for the pop-up, making sure each one represented the era and her iconic looks. From the silver chainmail dress she wore to her 21st birthday party to the denim mini skirt seen in The Simple Life, season one, promo with Nicole Richie, every piece carried fun memories and incredible memories that she wanted to share. Even the bags, like the gold metallic monogram Louis go-to, held fave memories, showing how her fashion choices were attached to moments that defined her style.
Paris also mentioned Charlie’s Angels photos with Kim Kardashian at the beach in Australia, where the matching version in silver added another layer of nostalgia. She highlighted the fun looks and factors that made each outfit meaningful, noting how hard it was to choose from so many standout pieces. Through this process, POPSUGAR readers could see how Paris Hilton’s iconic looks were thoughtfully selected, celebrating a fave memories-filled era and giving fans a chance to relive the glamour of her 2000s style.
Paris Hilton’s “House of Y2K” Project With Klarna
House of Y2K is part of a global campaign with Klarna, spotlighting the iconic Y2K era and how shopping has evolved since the early 2000s. The campaign film, which debuted last week, highlights flexible payments, shoppable video, and in-app price comparison features that make the experience seamless for consumers. To bring the Y2K-themed vision to life, Hilton helped design an interactive pop-up offering an unforgettable experience that showcases the evolution of fashion, beauty, and tech trends. Guests can explore a one-day-only experience across three floors filled with glamorous activations, installations, and iconic looks that reflect decade-defining apparel, beauty, and tech items.
Attendees are fully immersed in the early 2000s, with displays of old-school tech, Y2K-themed makeovers, and bling stations where they can get hair and makeup done and have their favorite gadgets blinged out. From the iconic looks to the tech items, the event captures the essence of Hilton’s House of Y2K, blending nostalgia with modern innovation, making every moment memorable and interactive for fans of the Y2K era.
The Formative Years of Paris Hilton
At 16 years old, Paris Hilton was sent by her parents to Provo Canyon School in Utah to address her rebellious behavior, but she has alleged that she was mentally abused, physically abused, and verbally abused by the school staff during her 11 months as a student. She was given medication for an undiagnosed condition and watched even during showers, all part of a goal to break down the students. In an interview with People in 2020, she explained that they tried to instill fear in the kids so they would be too scared to disobey. Once released, Paris vowed to never let anyone hurt her again, shaping the resilience and strength that defined her personality in the 2000s.
Paris Gets a Reality (TV) Check
Paris Hilton’s fame grew as she transitioned from socialite to reality star when she landed her own Fox television series, The Simple Life, a hit reality series that followed Paris and her bestie, Nicole Richie, daughter of Lionel Richie, as they attempted to complete real-world jobs. During the first season, the two millionaires traded their stilettos for farmer boots when they moved onto a family homestead in Arkansas, giving audiences one of the earliest examples of being famous for being famous and showing how Paris Hilton’s lifestyle could blend entertainment with relatable challenges.
Paris Hilton Changes the World with One Photo
In 2006, Paris Hilton decided to venture into music and released her debut album, Paris, with the best-performing single, Stars Are Blind, which peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100. Although she never released a sophomore album, she appeared on several singles, including her 2013 collaboration with Lil Wayne, “Good Time,” and 2020’s “I Blame You.” By this time, Paris already had acting credits, including cameo roles in George Lopez and The O.C., and notable film appearances like a starring spot in 2005’s House of Wax. Her influence extended beyond music and film, as she became a defining figure in modern culture, shaping how fans interact with fame and entertainment.
Yet perhaps her most impactful moment was a snap of a photo, for which she is credited with inventing the selfie. By 2017, in an interview with W magazine, she expressed her affection for selfies, sharing that even as a little kid with a beeper or disposable camera, she loved taking pictures. She celebrated the anniversary of her famous selfie with Britney Spears on Twitter, sharing the shot and gushed about how happy it made her. Paris Hilton’s simple act of taking a selfie changed history and continues to inspire how selfies are embraced in pop culture today.
Festive Lace
Paris Hilton is never one to miss a themed party, and she showcased her festive fashion as a star in a stunning red lace dress at the 2022 Hilton holiday bash. Whether headed to a chic cocktail party or planning a Valentine’s Day ensemble, she knows how to embody romanticism through styling a lace dress with jeweled heels and a sparkly tennis bracelet, proving that even in the 2000s, her fashion sense was timeless and effortlessly glamorous.
Iconic Accessories
Hilton always made sure her outfits were complete with accessories that were statement-making and the focal point of her looks. Whether you grab your favoritemini dress or mix and match pieces, style it with iconic heels, party-ready sunglasses, and a coordinating purse for an effortlessly chic effect. Hiltonnever lets a stonego unturned, proving that the details of an outfit come together to define her timeless 2000s fashion sense.
