Ten years may not seem like a long enough time to reflect significant differences in areas like fashion, entertainment, and technology. Although history books reflect monumental changes between the 1920s and 1930s or 40s, for example, significant change somehow seems different while living in the moment.
The year 2020 brings with it the excitement of a new decade. Between 2000 and 2020, so many changes have taken place in every area of our lives. Let’s look at a few of these decades to see how much has changed.
Fashion
2000-2009
Throw on the Vans or Birkinstocks, make sure those jeans are flare cut, and hair tips frosted, the first decade of the 2000s was alive with prominent fashion trends. Between 2000 and 2009, some key fashion trends emerged like the bubble shirts, velour track suits (likely with the word “Juicy” on the behind), and a bit of a revival of the punk-grudge trend from the 90s thanks to the surge in the skaterboy/skater girl lifestyle popularized by pop-punk stars like Avril Lavigne, Good Charlotte, New Found Glory, and Fall Out Boy.
The bubble shirts blew up in early 2000’s but quickly grew out 
These track suits were very popluar in the 80’s but resurfaced in early 2005 
In 2004 these vest shirts became extremely popular. 
This “skater boy” look surfaced around 2005. 
These stud belts are apart of the grudge trends that started in 2004. 
Avril Lavigne started a lot of the grudge trends. Started in 2004
2010-2019
Then in 2010-2019, fashion changed. With this decade came the rise of tighter, ripped jeans with higher waist lines, a surge in crop tops, chunkier hair accessories and trends mimicking the 90s (ie the emergence of the VSCO trend), and more focus on independent designers or thrifted, vintage looks over trendy mall labels sending some companies in to foreclosure or near foreclosure. Many fashion choices in this decade reflect social media influencers (Coachella, anyone?) far more than celebrity styles the earlier decade did. What fashion trends do you think this next decade will bring?
Billie started bringing back a lot of alternative looks 
The “Block” shoes 
The “Soft look” 
This is like a everyday outfit for most people.
In my generation and at Cherokee High School, I see a lot of skinny ripped jeans and black leggings.
Cell Phones
Who remembers when you had to press the number 1 three different times to get the letter C? One of the most noticeable differences in changing time is the evolution of personal technology. Bigger, smaller, faster, thinner, phones may be one of the biggest races in technology. By 2020, more than half of the nation’s population have access to a smart device.
Cell phones have developed at a remarkable rate. It’s hard to believe that cell phones looked the way they did in the early 2000s, yet we are even more surprised to see what they appeared to be in the 90s through hit sitcoms like Saved by the Bell, and Zack’s famously huge portable phone.
The first decade likely saw the most advancement in cell phone technology. The Razor by Motorola was one of the move pivotal changes in cell design creating a drive for phones to be as marketable in appearance as functionality.
However, the emergency of the smart phone was arguably one of the most important (sometimes negatively so) developments in modern invention. Each model after the first smart phone model seems to build on the same functionality, but with greater speed, storage, and signal access. Suddenly, people had the same technology in their pockets that they could on a desktop. Although this is undeniably convenient, even retiring landline home phones for many, with these changes in convenience of accessibility has come more reports of cell phone addiction in teens causing increased rates of Depression and anxiety for some of those unable to “disconnect.”
2000-2009
Nokia 5110 5190 early 2000s 
The Blackberry Pearl early 2000s 
The Motorola Razr 2004 
Verizon flip phone 
first iphone june 2007
iphone x 2017 
evolution of iphones in second decade 
nexus 4 LG and Google collab 2012
Most Popular Social Media
Social media, a word that has taken on new meaning since the early 2000s, has gone through such a tremendous evolutionary process, and continues to. has clearly changed.
In the early 2000s, Friendster and Myspace were the main social networks on the rise. Thi was followed quickly by Facebook and YouTube, though both platforms have seen a dramatic overhaul. YouTube, especially, has had to readjust policies as issues arise, and traffic increases. As of the most recent data, approximately 300 hours of content are uploaded to YouTube every minute lending it to still be one of the most widely used social media platforms. Although Facebook has taken a backseat appealing more to older audience, new apps such as SnapChat and TikTok have taken over in the later part of this decade. Instagram, which began in the start of this last decade, is still one of the leading apps.
2000-2009
Friendster was one of the first social media platforms. Created by Jonathan Abrams in 2002, it has since gone through many changes. 
Myspace followed in 2003. It was said to have reached its peak in 2008. 
Flikr came out in 2004, originally as part of a gaming site. 
Facebook emerged in 2004, but exclusive to college students. It grew quickly after that. 
YouTube joins the scene in 2005, but looked very different than today.
2010-2019
Instagram came out in 2010. The idea of sending photo-dominate posts appealed greatly to a young audience. 
Snapchat came out in 2011
Vine came out in 2013, but was discontinued in 2017. 
Tik Tok remains a popular app with over 500 million users. 
Pinterest came out in 2009, and became a place to share ideas.
Cars/Vehicles
2000-2009
2007 Ford Taurus 
2000 Lancer Evo 6 Tommi Makinen 
2002 Honda Civic
2010-2019
According to Wired, the first decade focused more on size than fuel efficiency. Size, like the dawn of the Hummer H2 between 2002-09, was status despite the fact that it was only reported to get 9MPG. This changed greatly with the impact of the Recession in ’08.
In the last decade, the focus has been more on gas efficiency and overall environmental impact. More cars run on electricity than ever before. Technology has upgraded at the rate that phones become more compatible and communicative with cars. With more advancements in smart phones comes more advancements in hands-free technology like CarPlay. There are many more advancements towards self-driving features, and although we haven’t seen many legalized, completely autonomous vehicles, we do see technology now of cars that can auto-stop and even parallel park. Although it’s still far-fetched to say we will ever see a flying car, a fully autonomous car may be in the near future.
The Telsa came out in 2019. 
Jeep 2018 
Jeep Wrangler 2019. 
Honda Pilot 2019.
I believe time has changed for the better. Time gave us easier ways to contact someone in case of a emergency. I don’t want to say fashion went in a better direction, because I, personally, love the 2000’s looks. Cars have definitely improved with gas mileage and technology, especially regarding the overall impact to the environment. It’s time to start a new decade and who knows what’s coming next!?
THE WARRIOR WORD 