If you want a pure and undisputed tribute to the multi-faceted fashions of the 2000s, The Hills is here to provide everything you need.
It’s safe to say the moment Lauren Conrad, aka “LC”: packed her hot pink suitcase into her black convertible to head to LA, the world was never the same.
Gone were the denim belts à la mini skirts, the terrifying blonde highlights and the hideous satin prom dresses that became synonymous with the MTV show’s predecessor Laguna Beach.
Yes, along with her disastrous early ’00s wardrobe, Lauren had finally shed her life of “mean girls” Kristen and Jessica and stepped things up a notch with a move to LA, a coveted internship at Teen Vogue and a brand new wardrobe to boot.
Looking back, all seemed well for our fashionable heroine.
But boy is hindsight a funny old thing.
While The Hills aired for the latter part of the 2000s decade, there was no denying its embodiment of all the things we’ve come to wish to forget about fashion of the Naughties.
It was a simpler time. A time where Lauren and Heidi were still besties. A time where a free trip to Paris was a distant dream because there were boyfriends to tend to. A time where chunky belts and fedora’s were considered appropriate to wear in public.
Oh how we’re glad we – and our wise old queen Lauren – have left those times long in the past.
Now, as we prepare for a brand new reboot of the show The Hills: New Beginnings, we decided there was no better time to take a stroll down memory lane to relive some of the best and worst (mostly worst) moments in fashion on the television show.
As Lauren so wisely once said, “I want to forgive you and I want to forget you” – and boy are we keen to forget about some of these questionable trends.
Keep scrolling and get ready to cringe – you’re about to be subjected to peak 00’s fashion in all its shameless glory.
WATCH: Take a look back at The Hills’ best moments. Gallery begins after video…
Let’s go back, back to the beginning of Lauren’s now-iconic fashion go-to: This humble whopper of a headband.
Seriously, that thing takes up half of her head.
Up there with headbands was Lauren and Audrina’s trusty pal – oversized bug-eyed sunnies. What a time to be alive.
Was Whitney’s early 00s boho chic look too matchy-matchy? The question will forever plague us.
At it again with the headbands! This time in polka-dot version.
Was it really the 00s if you didn’t own a singlet and crossover cardi?
In what might be one of the show’s saving fashion moments, Whitney’s Crillon Ball ensemble worn during her trip to Paris was undeniably chic – those earrings!
Ah the 2000s. A time of tank tops, bared hip bones and velvet tracksuits. The O.C.‘s Julie Cooper would be so proud.
Seriously, LC and Heidi were big fans of the humble trackie pant… despite Spencer being a certifiable “sucky person”.
Headbands. Lauren. You get the drift now.
Remember when capri-length jean shorts were a thing? Yea we’d rather not either.
The quiff! The floaty sleeves, the pearls! Quintessentially Naughties.
Yep, LC really did love to rock a pearl necklace. And a spaghetti strap.
We were subject to Audrina’s questionable bubble-dress-and-pumps look time and time again – the scene played in the opening credits for several seasons.
And let’s take a moment to remember LC’s love of a strapless smock dress.
For real, the girl couldn’t get enough of them.
Stephanie Pratt gets an honourable mention for trying to make skinny headbands happen. Granted, they did not.
The side-braid is glam, rain-resistant, and LC approved. We’re here for it!
And we can’t go past a Hills gallery without paying tribute to the many scarves that distressingly graced our screens.
Heidi’s scarf collection was particularly tough to stomach.
Yes, this is a brimmed beanie. Yes, Audrina wore it. That is all.
Some seriously strong headgear going down in these parts. Lauren’s fedora phase is one we’ll remember with joy.
Again with the funky beanies… props for the effort, Whit.
Lo took a sneaky leaf out of LC’s book and tried her own hand at the fedora. Arguably still to no avail…
Not exactly a fashion moment, but we’ll leave you with Lauren’s most iconic accessory to date – the single mascara tear that ran down her cheek in the season three finale. What. A. Time.
