In India, streetwear brands are embracing the Y2K revival, marking the return of oversized t-shirts, baggy pants, and the “shapeless” aesthetic that once defined the early 2000s. But while this style has found its way back into mainstream fashion, many argue that the trend lacks the creativity and energy that originally characterized street fashion. Instead of fostering individuality, these designs often feel uniform and disposable, emblematic of a fashion industry increasingly driven by speed and profit over innovation.

In the not-so-distant past, designers poured their energies into creating clothing that was both an artistic statement and a technical feat. Icons like Alexander McQueen, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, and Issey Miyake crafted pieces that were complex, distinct, and visually arresting, featuring intricate draping, unique structures, and one-of-a-kind silhouettes that were practically impossible to replicate. These designers approached fashion as a sculpture, a painting, or even architecture—each garment was a labor of love, designed to evoke an emotional response and showcase the heights that fabric, texture, and form could reach.

Contrast that with much of today’s streetwear and “fashion” brands, where the art of design has been reduced to the print on the back of an oversized t-shirt. Often, contemporary brands will rely on an eye-catching graphic or logo slapped onto a basic garment as their main selling point. The process bypasses craftsmanship in favor of convenience; these graphics are typically digital, inexpensive to produce, and can be applied to a mass of identical pieces with ease. In a world of instant, fast-paced content, it’s a low-cost, high-impact shortcut to relevancy, but one that often feels devoid of the individuality and artistry that defined high fashion.

Some exceptional creative brands, like Huemn, have redefined the Indian streetwear scene by showing that streetwear can be a vibrant and thoughtful art form. Huemn, as one of India’s first prominent streetwear brands, captures the essence of what streetwear can be when approached as an expressive and innovative medium.

By combining bold colors, intricate designs, and socially relevant themes, Huemn exemplifies how streetwear can be both meaningful and visually engaging. Their collections go beyond the basics to embrace storytelling, using patterns, textures, and cultural motifs that speak to diverse experiences. This approach reinforces that streetwear, when done with care and creativity, can push boundaries and offer a refreshing break from the bulk of disposable, trend-chasing fashion.

The Y2K Aesthetic: Revival or Regression?

The Y2K-inspired look in India’s current streetwear landscape is heavily focused on oversized, often monochromatic pieces, drawing from a time when “anti-fashion” styles—like low-rise jeans and velour tracksuits—dominated pop culture. However, in its resurgence, the Y2K aesthetic seems more about volume than variety. The baggy fits, muted colors, and simplistic designs in today’s offerings seem to prioritize low-cost production and scalability, often resulting in pieces that feel disposable after a single season.

What Happened to Street Fashion’s Creativity?

Street fashion once thrived as a form of self-expression, where individuals could blend cultures, colors, textures, and cuts to make unique statements. Today, it often feels like an echo of itself, with brands pumping out similar oversized silhouettes and single-toned t-shirts lacking the distinct identity of past streetwear icons. The price of unique materials, tailored cuts, and complex designs has made true innovation a costly endeavor. Brands now lean towards simpler, bulkier, and “safe” designs that are easier to produce at scale and suit a broad demographic—leaving behind the individuality that once defined streetwear.

From Art to Business

Streetwear, originally rooted in rebellion and personal expression, is now a booming business. It’s easier for brands to produce plain, oversized t-shirts or generic baggy pants than to invest in varied textures, intricate cuts, or unique designs. This “one-size-fits-all” approach—literally and figuratively—feeds a cycle of consumption but sacrifices the art of fashion in the process. The effect is a widespread aesthetic that feels dictated rather than inspired, a trend that sees consumers wearing what’s most convenient for brands to produce rather than what they genuinely want.

The Cost of Creativity

Creativity has become a luxury in an industry that values fast fashion’s speed and efficiency. High-quality materials and complex manufacturing processes are more expensive, leading brands to forgo these elements to cut costs. As a result, textures, colors, and unique patterns are rarities in today’s streetwear. This scarcity contributes to the feeling that fashion has become formulaic—a look that can be “churned out” en masse, lacking the soul and craft that once made streetwear a cultural phenomenon.

Fashion at a Crossroads: Art or Commerce?

As streetwear evolves in India, it faces a crossroads between commercial success and artistic integrity. While oversized t-shirts and baggy pants may be in vogue now, their appeal is rooted more in accessibility and convenience than innovation. What was once a celebration of individuality is now a repetitive loop of bulkiness, shapelessness, and uniformity.

Ultimately, the trend’s popularity raises questions about the role of fashion in our lives: Is it meant to inspire and empower us, or has it become just another disposable product in a sea of sameness? For India’s streetwear scene, the challenge will be to break free from this low-effort model and rediscover the creativity that makes fashion worth wearing.