2018 Trends Marissa Cooper Was Wearing in 2003

The time is 2003, it's a Thursday night—quick, what were you doing? If you're anything like me, you were settling in to watch what was arguably the best show to ever grace a television screen, The O.C. Each week my friends and I would rotate houses hosting O.C. viewing parties to see what Seth, Ryan, Marissa, and Summer were up to. Though it was the plot line (and my major crush on Seth Cohen) that initially drew me in, what kept me coming back week after week was the wild fashion of the early aughts—specifically that of quintessential California-girl Marissa Cooper.

As much as I hate to admit this, I dressed exactly like this in high school—low slung jeans, Juicy sweatsuits, ruffled skirts, and all. Marissa Cooper was definitely my style icon at that time, though there were a few subtle differences between our wardrobes, like she wore Chanel Haute Couture to her senior prom, while I wore BCBG (I'm sure I'm not the only one?). 

So as you can see, I was basically born to pen this story and my entire life has led up to this moment. Melodramatic? Yes. True? Also yes. Kidding (kind of), but in all seriousness, Marissa Cooper was a fashion icon of her time and, as we know, fashion is cyclical. So with many early 2000s trends bubbling back up as of late, these 6 Marissa Cooper fashion moments couldn't be more relevant. From her going-out tops to her kitten heels, elements of her cool-girl style are as buzzy as ever. Let's take a look back and see the trends MC was wearing then, and shop the 2018 iterations of each. 

POLKA-DOTS

Long before the days of social media, Marissa was an advocate for Instagram's favorite print. Add a basket bag, gold necklaces, and mules, and you've got an outfit that's peak 2018. 

THE PUFF-SLEEVE BLOUSE

While we've dubbed the 2018 version of this trend the “nouveau milkmaid top," it's clear Coop was promoting this silhouette years ahead of us. 

THE GOING-OUT TOP

My personal favorite trend the early '00s brought us: the going-out top. You know the cute little number you'd throw on with jeans and your baguette bag for an evening out with your friends? Yeah, that one. Well the 2018 versions look strikingly reminiscent of their predecessors—and still pair just as well with vintage denim and a logo bag.

RAINBOW STRIPES

Never one to shy away from bold color, it's only natural that Marissa was a fan of the rainbow stripe. Side note: Please direct your attention to the pleated denim skirt for maximum 2000s nostalgia. 

THE BREEZY WHITE TOP

Okay so this might not be revolutionary, but it is perhaps the epitome of summer style: the breezy white blouse. Both Marissa and Summer exhibit versions of the same trend here, and provide definitive proof that this staple will always be relevant.

THE GRAPHIC TEE

Another trend that Marissa didn't exactly invent, but she was on board with and put on the radar of many teenage girls such as myself. She was wearing hers for wild nights at The Bait Shop, I was wearing mine for wild nights at my parent's house—whatever. 

And now, a shoutout to Summer Roberts for good measure. She was not only my favorite female character personality-wise, but she championed both cowboy boots and tie-front blouses more than a decade before the fashion crowd brought them back. So for that I'm calling her a trendsetter as well—it's undeniable. 

In the mood for more TV nostalgia? Checkout what we're convinced Carrie Bradshaw would wear if Sex and the City premiered in 2018.