It’s easy to get drunk on nostalgia. As adulthood and trying times get heavier, there’s nothing like reminiscing on the nostalgic items from the good old days. From the technology you used to the media of your childhood, there was certainly something special about the times before social media.
There were so many gadgets from the ‘90s and 2000s that are virtually extinct nowadays. TikTok user Kristen Garrido recently went viral for demanding T-Mobile resurrect the Sidekick cell phone. It prompted many to begin thinking about what other items they’d also like to bring out of the time capsule.
From colorful iPods to Juicy Couture tracksuits, here are nine items from the 90s and 2000s that every girl remembers and would probably buy again.
AIM
Texting is cool, but AOL Instant Messenger was even more special. Choosing a quirky username and setting your status as a shady subtweet or your favorite song lyrics, AIM was a social media in itself. You could chat with friends and customize your chats, without the shame of an android green bubble.
Tracksuits
From Juicy Couture to Baby Phat, matching tracksuits were a fashion staple back in the day. It was an easy way to be both comfortable and fly when traveling or running an errand. Some brands have attempted to resurrect the trend, but it’s dependent on the girls fully committing.
CDs and DVDs
The rise of the digital age has distracted many from the fact that physical media is incredibly significant. There was nothing like going to a video store on a Friday night and renting out your favorite movie or buying your favorite artist’s new album. Streaming is much less romantic and makes it harder to pass down media through generations. Print your pictures, buy magazines and collect your favorite movies and music.
iPods
Whether it was the iPod nano, video or classic, there was nothing as thrilling as filling up your MP3 player with all your favorite tunes. iPods came in vibrant colors and were accompanied by the coolest commercials of the 2000s. Without the ease of streaming, you really had to put work into downloading your favorite songs, though it ultimately made them feel like you truly earned them once you finally did build your library.
Lisa Frank
If you had a Lisa Frank folder or journal in elementary school, chances are you’re a baddie now. Lisa Frank was lightyears ahead when it came to funky design, using kaleidoscopic colors and animated animals to make immersive merch for every tween girl.
Digital Cameras
While selfies are how society has come to document history nowadays, there was nothing like seeing someone pull up the function with a digital camera. You knew they were going to get the best pictures of the night, and upload them all to a Facebook album the next day. Digital cameras were not only great quality, but also brought so much fun to documenting the little moments.
See-through Electronics
From vintage Apple desktops to house phones, see-through electronics were all the rave in the early 2000s. It was a short-lived yet very iconic aesthetic, and a transparent tech gear renaissance would certainly be warmly welcomed. People are over the uniformity of iPhones and would definitely appreciate some diversity in their choice of gadgets.
House Phones
Cell phones have changed everyone’s lives, though there’s something particularly grounding about a landline. Memorizing a number made the calls all the more intentional, from ordering a pizza to calling your best friend’s house. Homes should still have their own phones, which allows all the abilities of communication with no opportunities for doom scrolling.
Music Video Channels
Music networks used to actually play music videos on cable television, and it’d be a worthwhile effort to bring back. So many modern-day artists are making full-on productions for their visuals, yet music videos aren’t holding the same impact as they did in the ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s.