Y2K fashion item spotted at popular Aussie retailer

What goes around, comes around, and fashion is no different — as a recent sighting in a popular Australian store has just proved.

What goes around, comes around, and fashion is no different — we’ve had halter tops, butterfly hair clips and jelly sandals all make a comeback in the last two years.

And now, corporate fashion has been sprinkled with Y2K fairy dust in the form of skirt trousers, with the trend proving so big that it has landed at one of Australia’s biggest department stores.

An eagle-eyed social media user took to TikTok to share a clip of a pair of grey flared work pants with a mini skirt over the top.

“What in the early 2000s did I just spot at Target Australia,” she captioned the clip of the $50 item.

Target isn’t the only retailer jumping on the trend with stores such as Universal, ASOS and REVOLVE selling versions of them. Incu has a pair that retails for $945. A pair was even spotted in Zara a short while back.

Skirt trousers were spotted at Target. Picture: @toripettigrew/TikTok

And, it’s not just us mere mortals forking out cash for the Y2K item. Model and actress Kaia Gerber was spotted heading into a casting session wearing a version of the skirt trousers. Nicole Kidman also wore the skirt over pants look at the Academy of Country Music Awards this year.

The first time around, stars such as Britney Spears and Ashley Tisdale were known for rocking the look.

Kerrie Carucci, a Queensland-based stylist who has worked for brands such as Oroton, IDA+S, MOSS and Rebecca Valance, said that we are “firmly in the era of reinvention”.

Kaia Gerber is a model and actress. Picture: Instagram

“The return of ‘skirt trousers’ is a natural progression of the Y2K revival that’s dominated recent runways and high-street collections. We’re seeing a generational reimagining of styles once dismissed or archived, now worn with a fresh eye and updated proportions,” Ms Carucci told news.com.au.

“Culturally, there’s a craving for nostalgia – especially among Gen Z and younger Millennials, who are reinterpreting the early 2000s with both irony and affection. It’s not about copying the past but recontextualising it through a lens of today.

“A layered look like this taps into expressive, non-binary styling, while also leaning into individuality – something we’re seeing a huge swing towards in personal style and consumer behaviour.”

Kaia Gerber wearing a version of skirt trousers. Picture: 4CRNS, WCP / BACKGRID

Nicole Kidman wearing skirt over pants. Picture: Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images

She called the clothing item a “style disrupter” in that it challenges traditional ideas of proportions, layering and what is typically considered flattering.

“For some, especially those who lived through the original trend, there’s a sense of hesitation rooted in past fashion missteps. I, for one, sit firmly in that camp. For others, it’s a celebration of boldness and creative self-expression — and that’s the beauty of fashion: it invites conversation,” she said.

She said that fashion is tied to self image and identity, and when trends are unconventional and revive a version of ourselves we’ve “moved on from” it can feel uncomfortable to visit. But this revival signifies a cultural shift to push the boundaries of what’s acceptable.

Y2K sat at the crossroads of kitsch, rebellion and maximallist — a stark comparison to the minimalist, capsule, neutral wardrobe that followed after. Y2K featured items such as low-rise jeans, bedazzling and tiny shirts. But, according to Ms Carucci, in 2025 wearing these items was about reclaiming agency when it comes to body confidence, gender fluidity and the rejection of quiet luxury.

“It’s a style movement that says more is more, and that fashion doesn’t always need to be palatable to be powerful,” she said.

So far, we’ve seen cargo pants, butterfly clips, halter tops, platform slides and logo heavy accessories make a return — many of which appeared atKmart in 2023. The mini skirt — particularly the micro mini — has also made a huge comeback with brands such a Miu Miu reimagining it for a new generation.

Zara's recently was selling the retro item. Picture: Instagram

Ashley Tisdale wearing a skirt over pants in 2005. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

“From a personal stylist’s perspective, many Y2K silhouettes just aren’t the most flattering or functional for the body shapes I work with every day.”

As always, when a trend comes back, some people loved the idea of the skirt trouser return and others were slightly disturbed by the knowledge that what they once wore as a child was set to be a fashion staple of their adulthood.

“Wow they even got the late 90s polyester pant grey colour correct,” one social media user commented.

Another said: “You can’t talk me out of believing that these clothes have been in storage for 25 years.”

“I can’t believe that they corporate girlied y2k fashion like that,” one person said.

Another said: “My 15-year-old daughter saw them and said ‘oh that is cool! Skirt over pants’ while I was having 2000s flashbacks like it was my ‘nam!”

“What in the 2004 business casual,” another social media user added.

One commented: “ … but does it come in black for work? haha gosh I loved these as a kid.”

“Low-key need some,” one said, while another said seeing the item made them wish there was a Target in Canada.

Originally published as Y2K fashion item spotted at popular Aussie retailer