2023: The Year of Glow and Shine As we saw the rise of popularity in Y2K fashion throughout the last couple of years, we can expect to see the love for the aesthetic continue, but this time, on a whole other level. “The phrase Y2K, meaning Year 2000, initially referred to a computer bug but was co-opted for the aesthetic. Y2K was a visual manifestation of the fun, technologically advanced and utopian 2000s that mid - 1990s societies were excitedly and optimistically envisioning. People following the trend escaped into an imagined future full of “tight leather pants, silver eyeshadow, shiny clothing, Oakley’s, gradients, and blobby electronics” with technology and futurism as the guiding themes. “ 2021-2022 featured a tremendous amount of rhinestones, graphic text tees, denim on denim, baby pink and glitter— but 2023 is expected to see the opposite side of the coin—metallics, shiny latex, silver, and chrome. With the rise of AI, the advancements in technology are unpredictable. Thus, we are experiencing a parallel phenomenon to that of the 90s. (Words by me and New Wave Mag)