A Very Mary-Kate & Ashley Circa Early 2000s-Inspired Brunch Look
Growing up, I was literally the world's biggest Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen fan. As a 90s kid, who wasn't? Everything from their movies to books to style was something I looked up to so much. I still watch their old movies to this day because it brings back such nostalgic memories for me.
Right around the '99-'03 stage was the time when MKA really were killing it with their outfits - they truly embodied every authentic and stereotypical '00s trend. These were my glory days. Pretty sure you'd be lying if you said you didn't dress like them, too!
Recently, everywhere I go I've been seeing a lot of the same trends come back. Of course, my (still) MKA-obsessed self is more excited than ever. I don't care what anyone says - the late 90s and early 2000s fashion was the best and it should just come back forever! Okay, maybe I'm just biased... but I know I am not the only one who thinks so!
With that said, I wanted to create a brunch ensemble based off of one of my favorite Mary-Kate and Ashley styles - a very hip, Oriental-style look.
Back when they were just kids as well as teenagers, they took touches of that style here and there and made it their own - you know, with black chokers, cross body bags, light wash denim and tiny-framed colored sunglasses.
I went into Urban Outfitters and to my pleasant surprise, a ton of their new stuff instantly gave me all the MKA feels. I saw the Kimchi Blue Kiki Zip-Front Tank and knew this was the piece to create a whole look from! 14-year-old Mary-Kate & Ashley would approve of it, but it is still modern enough that it could really be worn any day now.
I fell in love with the front zipper and the intricate detailing and design of the top. It screams "Mary-Kate and Ashley would wear this!" Not to mention, it's a crop top - my favorite style top since '97. Still going strong!
The next step was the bottoms. While I could have easily paired this bold top with a pair of black skinny jeans, I went with some looser fitting high-waisted "mom shorts" to really accentuate the 90s vibes. A crop top and high-waisted anything, really is extremely "in" in LA and is a go-to for any brunch!
Of course I finished off the look with a Riccova choker (because obvvvviously) and some chunky heels to take the look from super casual to a look that was a bit more elevated...literally.
I am such a 90s kid and I love that styles I was wearing and looked up to 15 or so years ago are coming back and they can totally be modernized. Isn't it funny now though that these shorts I'm wearing fall under the category of "hipster?" All the hipsters can line up and thank Mary-Kate and Ashley for setting the trend. Bet you'll never think of a crop top and mom shorts combo the same.
And that my friends, is my ode to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Catch me at brunch, with a bellini in hand while reading an old MKA mag or two re-learning the trends I used to follow so religiously. It may be a little challenging, but if the Olsens can solve any crime by dinner time, then I can definitely come up with more ways to incorporate their "old school" early 2000s style into some more dope brunch looks.
Photography by Emma Lynn Cinema
