OMG! 27 Things We Loved Back in the 2000s That Are So Yesterday

The 2000s were a time of incredible transformation. Technology was advancing rapidly, pop culture was shifting, and trends were popping up everywhere. It was a decade where many of the things we used, loved, and experienced left lasting impressions on us. 

Trends come and go, often shaped by new innovations or a shift in people’s preferences. Some things fade away as society changes, while others are simply replaced by more convenient or modern alternatives. 

This list is a reminder of all the things that defined the 2000s but have now faded into the past. Each of these 27 items had its moment in the spotlight before eventually being left behind. 

Let’s take a nostalgic look at some of the most memorable things from that decade, and reflect on why they are no longer around. 

What 2000s trend do you miss most? Let us know in the comments!

Flip Phones

In the early 2000s, flip phones were the ultimate mobile accessory. Compact and easy to carry, these devices allowed people to make calls, send texts, and enjoy the satisfying snap of closing the phone after a conversation. 

Flip phones were stylish and practical, fitting comfortably into pockets and bags. But as technology advanced and smartphones with large touch screens entered the market, the need for a small flip phone started to decline. 

With the rise of apps, mobile internet, and larger displays, flip phones quickly became outdated, making way for today’s powerful smartphones.

Interestingly, flip phones are making a come back as people are trying to get away from their social media addictions.

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Myspace

Myspace was the king of social networking in the early 2000s, offering a platform where people could express themselves through customizable profiles. Users loved adding background music, changing their layouts, and ranking their top friends. 

It was the go-to platform for connecting with others and sharing personal updates. But as Facebook came onto the scene, with its clean design and broader social reach, people started to move away from Myspace. 

Over time, Myspace became a shadow of its former self, leaving behind memories of a once-thriving online community.

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Blockbuster Video Stores

For many families in the 2000s, a trip to Blockbuster was part of the weekend routine. Walking through the aisles, choosing a movie to rent, and grabbing some popcorn was all part of the experience. 

Blockbuster was the leading video rental store, and it’s blue and yellow signage was a familiar sight across neighborhoods. But with the rise of streaming services like Netflix, renting physical DVDs became less common. 

People began to prefer the convenience of on-demand streaming, leading to the eventual closure of most Blockbuster locations. Today, Blockbuster is more of a nostalgic memory than a functioning business.

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Razor Scooters

In the early 2000s, Razor scooters were a must-have for kids and teenagers. These lightweight, foldable scooters were perfect for zipping around the neighborhood or showing off tricks at the local park. 

The scooters were durable and easy to carry, making them a popular mode of transport for younger generations. As electric scooters and hoverboards began to rise in popularity, the simple push-powered Razor scooter started to fade away. 

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Palm Pilots

Before smartphones took over, the Palm Pilot was the go-to device for organizing your life. This personal digital assistant (PDA) allowed users to manage their contacts, calendars, and notes in one handy device. 

It was especially popular with professionals who needed to stay on top of their schedules. The Palm Pilot was revolutionary in its time, but once smartphones started offering all those features and more, it quickly became outdated. 

Today, the Palm Pilot is remembered as a stepping stone to the advanced devices we now rely on daily.

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Hit Clips

Hit Clips were tiny music players that allowed you to listen to short, one-minute clips of popular songs. They were a hit among kids, who enjoyed collecting the small, square cartridges and swapping them with friends. 

The sound quality was limited, and you only got a snippet of the song, but it was still a fun way to enjoy music on the go. As MP3 players and iPods entered the scene, offering full-length songs and better sound, Hit Clips became less appealing. 

These little devices soon disappeared, leaving behind a brief but memorable place in early 2000s pop culture.

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Napster

Napster shook up the music industry in the early 2000s by offering free music downloads through its peer-to-peer sharing platform. For music lovers, it was a dream come true, an easy way to discover and share new tracks with friends. 

But this service quickly ran into legal trouble as artists and record labels fought back against the illegal sharing of their work. Napster was eventually shut down, but it sparked a digital revolution in how we consume music. 

Its legacy lives on through modern streaming platforms, which have learned from the groundwork Napster laid.

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Frosted Lip Gloss

Frosted lip gloss was a beauty staple for many teens in the early 2000s. It gave lips a shiny, frosted look that was perfect for going out with friends or hitting the mall. 

Celebrities and fashion magazines embraced the trend, making frosted lip gloss a must-have item. As beauty trends evolved, the frosty look was replaced with more natural and matte finishes, leaving frosted lip gloss behind. 

While it occasionally makes a comeback, it’s no longer the mainstream beauty trend it once was.

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Low-Rise Jeans

Low-rise jeans were a fashion phenomenon in the 2000s, popularized by celebrities like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. These jeans sat low on the hips, creating a daring and trendy look that many people embraced. 

They were often paired with crop tops to complete the style. But as fashion trends shifted towards more comfortable and flattering high-waisted jeans, low-rise styles began to lose their appeal. 

Today, high-waisted jeans dominate the fashion world, and low-rise jeans are a distant memory for most.

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Beaded Curtains

Beaded curtains were a fun and colorful way to add a touch of personality to your living space in the 2000s. Often used as room dividers or to decorate doorways, these curtains were made of strands of beads that created a playful vibe. 

They were especially popular among teens and young adults who wanted to give their rooms a unique look. As home design trends moved towards minimalism and simplicity, beaded curtains fell out of favor. 

Now, they’re mostly seen in vintage shops or remembered fondly as part of 2000s decor.

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Juicy Couture Tracksuits

In the early 2000s, Juicy Couture tracksuits were the ultimate symbol of casual luxury. Celebrities like Paris Hilton and Jennifer Lopez were often seen sporting these velour outfits, making them a must-have for anyone wanting to stay on-trend. 

The tracksuits came in a variety of colors, often with “Juicy” emblazoned across the back, and were paired with oversized sunglasses and handbags for a glamorous yet laid-back look. As fashion shifted towards more tailored and minimalist styles, Juicy Couture tracksuits began to fade from the limelight. 

Today, they remain a nostalgic reminder of the 2000s celebrity culture, but they are rarely seen in everyday fashion.

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AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)

Before smartphones and social media platforms became the main ways to communicate, AIM was the primary way people connected online. 

It was the first experience many teens had with instant messaging, and logging into AIM after school to chat with friends was a daily ritual. Users could set away messages, create fun screen names, and even change fonts to match their moods. 

With the rise of texting and more advanced messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, AIM slowly became outdated. In 2017, AOL officially shut down AIM, marking the end of an era for early online communication.

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Tamagotchi

Tamagotchi, the digital pet craze that took over in the late ’90s and early 2000s, was all about caring for a tiny virtual creature. These handheld devices allowed users to feed, play with, and clean up after their digital pets, keeping them alive and happy. 

Tamagotchis require constant attention, and forgetting to check on your pet could result in its virtual “death.” The toy was incredibly popular with kids, but as gaming technology advanced and mobile apps took over, Tamagotchis began to lose their appeal. 

While there have been modern reboots, they’ve never quite recaptured the magic of their early 2000s heyday.

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Sidekick Phones

Sidekick phones were iconic in the early 2000s, especially among teens and young adults who loved texting. The phone’s screen swiveled open to reveal a full keyboard, making it ideal for fast messaging. 

It became a status symbol, with celebrities and influencers showing off their Sidekicks in public. But as smartphones began offering touchscreens and more versatile features, the Sidekick quickly became outdated. 

While it had a strong following in its time, the phone’s design couldn’t keep up with the rapidly evolving smartphone market, and it eventually faded away as touchscreens took over.

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LiveStrong Bracelets

The yellow LiveStrong bracelet became a huge trend in the mid-2000s, with millions of people wearing it to show support for cancer research. Promoted by cyclist Lance Armstrong and his LiveStrong Foundation, these simple silicone wristbands became a symbol of hope and strength. 

At the height of their popularity, the bracelets were worn by celebrities, athletes, and everyday people alike. But as Armstrong’s reputation became tarnished due to doping scandals, the popularity of the bracelets declined. 

While the LiveStrong Foundation still exists, the wristband trend has largely faded into the past.

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Pogs

Pogs were a fun and collectible game that gained popularity in the early 2000s, even though they first emerged in the ’90s. The game involved stacking cardboard discs, called Pogs, and trying to knock them over with a slammer. 

Kids collected Pogs featuring different designs, often trading with friends and showing off their favorite ones. Though it was a simple game, it captured the imagination of a generation. 

Like many fads, though, Pogs didn’t last long, and the interest in collecting and playing with them faded as new games and toys emerged.

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Croc Charms (Jibbitz)

Crocs, the colorful foam clogs that debuted in the 2000s, became a massive hit, especially when people started customizing them with Jibbitz, small charms that fit into the holes on the shoes. 

These charms allowed Croc owners to express their personalities with fun designs, from flowers to cartoon characters. Though Crocs remain popular today, the charm trend has largely faded. 

People now tend to wear the shoes more for their comfort and durability than for decoration. The charm craze was a fun and quirky moment in early 2000s fashion, but it didn’t last long.

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MTV’s “TRL” (Total Request Live)

MTV’s “TRL” was a staple of 2000s pop culture, showcasing the latest music videos and giving fans a chance to vote for their favorite songs. The show was known for its live studio audience, and top artists like Britney Spears, N’Sync, and Eminem would regularly appear for interviews and performances. 

It was a hub for youth culture, with teens rushing home from school to catch the latest countdown. As YouTube and streaming services became the preferred way to watch music videos, “TRL” saw its audience dwindle, and it eventually went off the air in 2008. 

It remains a nostalgic memory for those who grew up watching it.

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Ringback Tones

Ringback tones were a personalized touch people could add to their cell phones in the early 2000s. Instead of hearing a standard ringing sound when calling someone, you’d hear a song or sound of their choice. 

It was a fun way to show off your favorite music to anyone who called. While the idea was novel, as phones and communication methods evolved, the trend of having a ringback tone became less common. 

Now, most people rely on standard ringtones or even keep their phones on silent, leaving ringback tones as a quirky memory from the early days of cell phones.

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Butterfly Hair Clips

Butterfly hair clips were a fashion accessory that took the early 2000s by storm. Often seen on celebrities like Britney Spears, these small, colorful clips were used to create intricate hairstyles, with little plastic butterflies “fluttering” in your hair. 

They were fun, affordable, and easy to use, making them popular with teens and young adults alike. But as hair trends shifted towards sleeker, more polished looks, the butterfly clip craze faded. 

Today, they’re a nostalgic reminder of the playful and colorful fashion of the early 2000s.

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Neopets

Neopets was an online sensation in the early 2000s, where users could adopt virtual pets, play games, and build their own digital world. The website attracted millions of users, many of whom spent hours each day caring for their pets, earning Neopoints, and participating in site-wide events. 

Neopets fostered a vibrant online community, with players connecting through forums and trading virtual items. While the site still exists today, its user base has significantly dwindled, with modern games and social media platforms drawing attention away. 

Neopets now remains as a nostalgic relic of the early internet era.

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Friendster

Before Myspace and Facebook, Friendster was one of the first major social networking sites, launching in 2002. It allowed users to create profiles, connect with friends, and share updates. 

For a short period, Friendster was at the forefront of the social media revolution, pioneering many features that later platforms would adopt. Unfortunately, technical issues, a clunky interface, and growing competition led to its rapid decline. 

By the mid-2000s, users began migrating to newer platforms like Myspace and Facebook, leaving Friendster in the past as a brief but important chapter in social media history.

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LimeWire

LimeWire became infamous in the early 2000s as a go-to platform for downloading music, movies, and software. Users could easily share and download files using this peer-to-peer network, which contributed to its widespread popularity. 

But LimeWire was also notorious for spreading viruses and infringing on copyright laws, which led to numerous legal battles. In 2010, after years of controversy, the service was shut down, leaving users to find other, legal alternatives for downloading media. 

LimeWire’s shutdown marked the end of an era for many, though it also paved the way for the rise of legal streaming platforms.

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Pop Punk Music

Pop punk bands like Blink-182, Green Day, and Sum 41 were the soundtrack of the early 2000s for many teens. Their energetic, rebellious songs spoke to a generation that craved anthems about teenage angst, love, and suburban life. 

The genre reached its peak during this decade, with catchy, guitar-driven hits dominating radio stations and MTV. As musical tastes shifted toward hip-hop, EDM, and indie music, pop punk faded from mainstream popularity. 

While the genre still has a loyal fanbase today, it’s largely considered a nostalgic reminder of the 2000s music scene.

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Baggy Cargo Pants

Baggy cargo pants were everywhere in the early 2000s, thanks to their comfort and practicality. With their oversized fit and multiple pockets, they were a fashion staple for both men and women, combining utility with a laid-back style. 

Often paired with graphic tees and sneakers, cargo pants were embraced by skaters, hip-hop fans, and casual dressers alike. As fashion trends moved towards slimmer, more fitted styles, cargo pants started to disappear from the mainstream wardrobe. 

While they’ve had a few comebacks over the years, the baggy cargo pants of the early 2000s remain a distinctly dated look.

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Paper Maps

Before smartphones and GPS became part of daily life, paper maps were essential for navigation. Road trips often required unfolding large, detailed maps to find the best routes, with many people keeping an atlas in their car. 

While they were functional, paper maps were cumbersome, especially when traveling long distances or navigating unfamiliar areas. The rise of GPS devices and later, smartphone apps like Google Maps, made paper maps almost obsolete. 

Today, many people can’t imagine traveling without their digital map apps, leaving paper maps as a relic of how we once found our way.

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Furbies

Furbies were one of the most popular toys in the late ’90s and early 2000s, known for their ability to talk, blink, and respond to interactions. These furry, owl-like creatures captured the imagination of kids, who loved teaching them new words and caring for them as if they were real pets. 

Furbies had a certain charm and mystery, as their behavior seemed almost lifelike. Despite their early success, Furbies eventually lost their appeal as more advanced interactive toys and gaming consoles emerged. 

Today, they remain a quirky reminder of the early 2000s toy craze.

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Remembering the 2000s

The 2000s were a vibrant decade filled with trends and innovations that shaped how we lived, played, and communicated. Many of the items and trends from that time have since faded, replaced by new technologies and shifting tastes. 

Yet, they hold a special place in our memories, reminding us of a time when life seemed simpler and our choices were fewer. These nostalgic touches offer a glimpse into the past and remind us of how quickly things can change. 

As we look back, we can appreciate the impact these trends had on our lives and how they helped shape our present. 

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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.