Photo credit: discuss.com.hk
⇨ 2000s: Age of fun and bold leisurewear
You can’t really speak of 2000s fashion without mentioning low-rise jeans, cargo pants, and brightly-coloured tank tops. Sported by local trendsetting celebrities of the generation like Sammi Cheng, Joey Yung, and Cantopop duo Twins, sexier cuts and saturated colour palettes became in vogue as Hong Kong entered the new millennium. Tops were more body-hugging and hemmed to a shorter length; while loose-fitting trousers (especially ones that came with military touches) were highly sought-after, though they were gradually abandoned when skinny jeans were introduced into mainstream fashion in the latter part of the decade.
Coinciding with this era was the time when the term “MK culture” (Mong Kok culture) was brought to the forefront of local consciousness, frequently tossed around in reference to teenagers and youths who idled away their time wandering the streets of Mong Kok. Despite the negative connotations attached to this subculture, one cannot deny that the the ”MK” look was iconic—typified by sleeveless shirts, black garments, chunky necklaces and accessories, converse sneakers, as well as dyed hair and long bangs.