We all remember the iconic show – Laguna Beach. Well, it’s been years since it’s been off the air, but we all might still remember how big an influence it had on fashion in the 2000s. When we look back at certain outfits, it’s not hard to remember how we all dressed back all those years ago and how some fashion trends seem funky enough to return.

Tiny Belt on Trey’s Arm

One iconic fashion choice inspired by Laguna Beach might seem like something you’d never see anyone wear today, but back in the day, it sure made a fashion statement. It’s the tiny belt we see on actor Trey Phillips’ arm in a scene from the show. What a strange choice – would you wear it today?

Double-Layered Tanks Were Trendy

Double-layered tanks were all the rage back in the 2000s, and there are no two opinions – certain shows on air back then were definitely part of the reason. When people saw stars wearing something, it was natural they’d want to wear it as well, to be cool. There are probably few people who didn’t wear double-layered tanks back then.

Thick Leather Bracelets Were In

The ever-so-popular show, Laguna Beach, proved that yet another strange fashion choice was trendy in the early 2000s. Thick leather bracelets were the choice for many, and the fact that Stephen Colletti sported one made a difference. He was considered a hottie back then, and if he could pull a leather bracelet off, why couldn’t everyone else?

Laguna Beach Popularized Knee-Length Skirts

Knee-length skirts might be one of the few trends from the 2000s that still has a spot in fashion statements today. We can still see countless women sporting long denim skirts on the streets. It’s not an unsightly fashion trend – it’s a skirt made from denim. The best part is that it can be worn with all kinds of tops and still look as stylish as ever!

Although many of the fashion trends we see on the popular show Laguna Beach did not make it to today’s trends – they were all the rage back in the early 2000s. Many of us adored these trends, and the fact that they were worn by celebrities, we found them to be so amazing, it was all we needed to confirm we were right to sport them around town!

While it is rather easy to look back on old fashions and hairstyles with a critical eye, one woman is more intrigued by the process of creating ancient hairstyles. Janet Stephens, a self-professed hair-style archaeologist, asks how did ancient women make their hair.

Janet Stephens Is a Hair Dresser and a Hair-Style Archaeologist

While her daily job is to be a hairdresser in Baltimore, Janet Stephens has a second calling. Her time spent giving people layers and funky bobs made her wonder how women made their hair in ancient cultures, so she endeavored to recreate the hairstyles of ancient Rome. She started her own YouTube channel where she now boasts all types of ancient hairstyles, from that of the Empress Plotina to Cleopatra’s coin hair, making her something like a hair-style archaeologist.

Janet’s First Hair-Style Recreation Was That of Empress Julia Domna

Her first foray into YouTube was two years ago when Janet recreated the empress Julia Domna’s hair using tools that Romans at the time would have had. But, Stephens does more than just recreate ancient hair-style fashion for YouTube. She also publishes her research in papers for scientific journals. One of those was called “Ancient Roman hairdressing: on (hair) pins and needles.” It described the difficulties of recreating Roman hairdos and the tools required to do so.

Many historians had assumed that the gravity-defying curls, bumps, and buns of hairstyles from ancient times were just wigs. However, Stephens never quite bought into the wig theory. Through trial and error, she managed to achieve the ancient hairstyle by sewing the braids and bits with a needle. She then dug deeper into fashion and art history books to find references to stitching. Sure enough, in 2005, she had a breakthrough while studying translations of Roman literature.

She concluded that the Latin term ‘acus’ was being misunderstood when it comes to hairdressing. It has several meanings, and while translators generally go with hairpin, it could also mean a single-prong hairpin or needle and thread. Since then, many journals have recognized Janet’s expertise.