The early-2000s look, back again
Y2K is short for the year 2000, and the style takes its look from the phones and fashion of around then: bright plastic, butterflies, beaded straps hanging from a flip phone, glossy jelly colours and a lot of fun. Fashion writers reported phone charms coming back as part of the Y2K revival from 2021. On this page charms make up most of it, with two glossy cases.
How a product gets onto this page
Products are filed on this page by the words they use about themselves: a product whose own name or description says Y2K is here. A product can be on more than one style page, and it stays in its own department too.
What you will find in the Y2K style
- Beaded bear charms, several in the soft "fairy core" look, and a bear with a bell. See beaded phone charms and bell phone charms.
- Butterfly charms: a butterfly pendant lanyard, a butterfly crystal keychain strap and a butterfly phone chain. See butterfly phone charms.
- Strawberry charms: a resin strawberry pendant and a bear and strawberry beaded chain. See fruit and food charms.
- A novelty charm: a handmade mini soju bottle.
- Cases: a soft clear jelly case with a red cross, and a glossy laser aurora case with airbag corners. See Y2K cases.
For more charms in this look, see Y2K phone charms.
Wearing the look
The Y2K look is about more, not less. A glossy or jelly case, a beaded strap and a couple of small charms together is the point. Beaded straps are the backbone of it: a short wrist strap keeps the phone close, and a longer one hangs across the body. A clear case shows off charms well, and the strap needs a hole or loop in the case, or a thin tab that sits between the phone and the case. The guide to phone charms and straps tells the story of charms and every way to fit one, and the guide to making a phone charm shows how to bead your own.
Questions people ask about Y2K phone accessories
What is fairy core?
It is a softer cousin of Y2K: pale colours, flowers, bears and beads that look as if they came from a storybook. Several charms here use the name.
Are these charms suitable for young children?
Charms, beads and dust plugs are small parts. The NHS warns that babies and toddlers put small objects in their mouths, that swallowed magnets can stick together inside the body, and that cords can wrap round a young child's neck. Keep them out of reach of small children.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.
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