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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
World
Laura Grainger

Remembering the 'massive' stuff we wore going out-out in the '00s

Nearly two years of nightclub closures and reopenings had us wondering if we'd ever have a proper night out again.

Thankfully house parties, gigs and clubs are back in session once more. No longer are we clinking glasses to our webcams over Zoom - we're back to pre-drinking whilst getting ready to head 'out-out' with pals again.

Still, lockdown made many of us nostalgic for the brilliant nights out we had in simpler times - and what we looked like during them.

Read more: Club bangers heard on every Irish dancefloor in the '90s

The 2000s seemed like a significantly carefree time to go bopping in one of Dublin's many venues. And making yourself feel good by getting all dolled up beforehand was nearly as fun and the night of dancing, drinking and pulling itself.

Whether you were off to Spirit, Copper's, Lillie's or a gaff, you made sure you looked unreal as you got a couple of cans or naggins into you ahead of calling a cab.

Take a wake down memory lane with us as we remember the fashion, beauty and general bits 'n bobs we dickied ourselves up in for a night out in the '00s.

Let us know which trends below you either love or cringe at when looking back at your old photos.

Athleticwear

American choreographer Marc Santa Maria and co test out the dancefloor at Lillie's Bordello in Dublin, 2000. (Collins Photos)

The influence of the Spice Girls and footballers knew no bounds, as the early '00s saw people rock up to clubs in full on sports gear. We're talking runners, cropped running tops and even tracksuits. Whether they were let in or not is another thing.

Frosted eyeshadow

Britney Spears at the 27th Annual American Music Awards (Photo by Barry King/WireImage) (Barry King/WireImage)

All that glitters isn't gold, sometimes it's colder. Unlike the mattified 2010s, 2000s makeup was all about shimmer and shine - but in an icy rather than sun-kissed sense. Our attempts at blue-silver eyeshadow never looked quite as good as Britney's, though...

Ashy highlights

Manchester United soccer star David Beckham (C) is and unidentified teammates watch the action against South Melbourne in their World Club Championship match 11 January 2000 at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Antonio SCORZA (Photo by ANTONIO SCORZA / AFP) (Photo by ANTONIO SCORZA/AFP via Getty Images) (Antonio Scorza/AFP/Getty Images)

Women might've been getting their roots done for quite some time, but the '00s saw a rise in men opting for blonde highlights, too. Whether it was revamping the centre part 'do of the '90s with thick platinum streaks or adding frosted tips to gel-spiked hair, lads joined the battle between salon and box dye.

Chunky belts

Three friends posing on a night out at Spirit Nightclub in Dublin in 2006. (Collins Photos)

Belts went from performing a function to being all about the look in the '00s, and the bigger they were, the better. An essential accessory, they were messily slung on top of denim skirts and jeans (too wide to fit the belt loops) or worn to cinch in a long top and accentuate the waist. Stun, hun.

Excessive amounts of false tan

Christina Aguilera at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2003. (Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

Putting on tan is still a major part of getting ready for a night out for many Irish people. But we like to think (or at least hope) we've gotten much better at applying it through the years, as the early '00s had us looking more 'patchy Oompa Loompa' than 'beach babe'. Remember the blue murder that'd ensue when a spilled drink caused someone's tan to go running down their leg in streaks?

Sheer tie tops

A couple at Sphinx nightclub in Dublin. (Collins Photos)

Never underestimate the power of "jeans and a nice top." Especially if the nice top is additionally layered with a cropped mesh or lace overlay to tie below your choker(s).

Coloured clip-ins

387280 01: (ITALY OUT) Socialites Nicky, left, and Paris Hilton attend the Elle Magazine party March 29, 2001 in New York City. (Photo by Arnaldo Magnani/Liaison) (Arnaldo Magnani/Liaison/Getty Images)

Did we want to be edgy and experimental? Yes. Did we want to commit? No. So off we popped down to Claire's to get some synthetic clip-ins to add a bit of colour and live out our pop-star fantasies. Gorge.

The faux-hawk

David Beckham at a press conference in 2002. (Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Another Beckham-inspired 'do, the faux-hawk had every lad and their da headed to the barbers to get the right shape cut in. And it still had to be specifically styled that way every time they left the house, anyway.

Platform shoes

A group of women wearing platform shoes as the sit holding their drinks on a night out in the mid '00s. (Universal Images Group/Getty Images)

One of the better '00s trends to have made a recent comeback, platform shoes gave us more height and less discomfort than regular-soled heels.

Baggy, saggy bottoms

A man wearing slouchy jeans and a studded belt at a UK bar in 2006. (PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)

Jeans, joggers, trousers, whatever - if they were bottoms worn by men, they were baggy and saggy. They hung low and your ma couldn't understand why you wouldn't just pull them up. But hey, everyone on MTV was wearing them, so why shouldn't you?

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