How to Wear the Chainmail Trend
This early aughts trend is back, and celebrities and fashion figures can't get enough of it.
Mini skirts, low-rise jeans, slingback heels, baby tees, baguette bags, tube tops, slip dresses—the '90s and Y2K fashion eras were like no other. Since 2020, there's been a sharp revival of some of the most prominent trends from the two decades that have taken over the fashion industry. We thought we would've exhausted the early aughts takeover by now, but there's another trend that made its comeback that proves '90s and Y2K fashion isn't going anywhere anytime soon. We're talking about the resurgence of the chainmail trend.
While the trend is most popularly credited to have first appeared in the '90s, chainmail fashion actually first came around in the '60s, a time that quite a few early aughts trends reference from. With Space Age fashion in full throttle, the '60s were a heyday for chainmail looks most famously helmed by Paco Rabanne. His reference to medieval armor combined with the intrigue of the unknown from space was a spark for his ability to manipulate the metal-like material to craft intergalactic garments there were unlike anything else seen at the time.
Chainmail really came to the forefront of fashion in the '90s during the reign of the supermodels (also known as the Big Six), a time when every resident party girl clubbed the night away in sequined dresses and statement jewelry. The chainmail trend certainly circulated the fashion world, especially after Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss had all eyes on them in their matching silver chainmail Versace mini dresses. The trend continued all the way through the 2000s when Y2k figures such as Britney Spears and Paris Hilton both donned metallic chainmail dresses.
Even after the end of the Y2K years, chainmail didn't completely disappear for too long after Kendall Jenner recreated a signature Hilton look for her 21st birthday in 2016. Today, the chainmail trend got a modern makeover as instead of only being interpreted in the form of a mini dress, the look is encompassed through various pieces including, tops, skirts, pants, and accessories. 2023 has already proved to be in support of the trend as Hilton welcomed the new year in a blush sequined mini chainmail number (that paid homage to her iconic Julien Macdonald silver dress she wore at her 21st birthday party in 2002).
Providing all the style inspiration you need, see some of our favorite celebrities and hottest brands sporting the chainmail trend.
