The Noughties was a time of pure fashion chaos. It was an era in which rhinestones, lower-than-low rise jeans and ambitious layering choices reigned supreme. Amidst this spirited, more-is-more mood, Jennifer Aniston was one of few celebrities who rebelled against the trend. In the decade in which she ranked as one of the most photographed actresses of all time (a Getty search brings up 2,500 results for the year 2004 alone), there was a clear theme to her outfits: Aniston’s style, be she on the red carpet or a coffee run, was all about a commitment to simplicity.
Her go-to? A combination of loose fitting, mid-rise blue jeans (rips optional), a plain, neutral top (a tank or a long sleeve depending on the weather), and her trusty black flip flops. All fitting perfectly and probably costing more than you might think. It’s low-key, yes, but it’s also a combination that has stood the test of time (how many other veteran starlets emerged from that period unscathed by regrettable looks?). And really, what’s better than a uniform of staples that always do the trick?
Some 20 years on, the 56-year-old’s influence suddenly seems to be everywhere. Just last week British Vogue declared the flip-flop a 2025 fashion essential, and the ’90s tank top our “summer heatwave hero”.
Aniston’s Noughties fashion legacy isn’t about reinvention – it’s about consistency. She wasn’t out to shock or to rebrand. She just nailed the kind of casual polish that never goes out of style. And in a world that’s finally rediscovering the joy of unfussy dressing, her effortless throwback outfits hit like a deep exhale. Flip-flops and all.
