Olivia Rodrigo has done it again, just when I thought I’d overcome the 16-year-old feelings that her Sour album—with a special shoutout to “Good 4 U”—had imposed upon me, she released the music video for “Brutal” and I’m back at square one. I vowed to never revisit Y2K trends that I thought were cool a decade ago like butterfly clips and fishnet stockings because the photo evidence on my Facebook proves that I did not in fact look cool wearing those looks. “I’m so sick of 17, where’s my fucking teenage dream?” sings Rodrigo in “Brutal”, replacing 17 with 25, and that lyric sums up my thoughts while watching the three-minute-long music video. Rodrigo is living my teenage dream, wearing clothes I thought were passé in the most angsty and glamorous way possible. She’s a ballerina! A news anchor! A pop star! A high school student! And she nails every look in the Petra Collins-directed video with styling from Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo. As I detail the 2000s trends in this video so you too can revisit your high school wardrobe, I contemplate why in my mid-20s I relate to these teenage lyrics so much. But I can’t parallel park either, so maybe we’re not that different? God, it’s brutal out here.
Video Game Theme
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Remember the intro to Clueless when Cher picked her outfit on a desktop computer video game-style? The “Brutal” intro is giving me Clueless meets Gen Z video game energy. From the sparkly cursor to the font, it’s very Y2K.
Butterfly Hair Clips
Yes, the plastic-colored hair clips that you wore in high school with the motto of more is more are back in “Brutal.” Rodrigo also managed to make braid waves and colored streaks simultaneously look cute.
Britney Spears
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Referencing the 2000s idol that is Britney Spears, Rodrigo wears a replica of her Roberto Cavalli minidress from the 2003 American Music Awards à la Frozen with a blue wig.
Fishnets
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Fishnets! Major pop-punk ballerina vibes and a trend I thought died with the Avril Lavigne and No Doubt era.
Wire Stretch Choker & Newsboy Cap
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The plastic wire stretch chokers bring back so much nostalgia. Rodrigo opted for the classic black but I remember trading colors with friends at lunch. She also took some fashion inspiration from Lizzie McGuire’s Miranda Sanchez wearing a newsboy cap and I stan.
“Baby Girl” Rhinestone Tank Top
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The quintessential rhinestone top! These were part of the Juicy Couture era of the 2000s.
Attic Bedroom
The attic bedroom with colored walls and posters taped everywhere is bringing me back to every rom com I watched in high school. Bring It On, Freaky Friday, and Juno all encouraged me to tape posters and magazine cutouts to my walls.
Rimless Tinted Sunglasses
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Okay, mine were not Chanel but the rimless, bedazzled, and tinted sunglasses that I got from the nearest pharmacy were a must-have accessory. Paired perfectly with my Smackers lip gloss.
All-Plaid Outfit
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This look is specific to the pop-punk Y2K era but Rodrigo effortlessly pulls off a Hot Topic plaid outfit with chunky knee-high combat boots. 16-year-old me could never.
Like what you saw? Here’s more:
Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” Is Giving Major Paramore Vibes
Grillz Like Fine Art: Lil Yachty & J Balvin Got ‘Em
This Is How Madison Beer, Olivia Rodrigo, Rihanna & More Get Their Flawless Skin
