with OC on her resume and superstylist Rachel Zoe on speed dial, Mischa Barton was a certified Y2K ‘it’ girl. After a few roles in films like Notting Hill AND The sixth sensethe American-British actress made her breakthrough with the teen drama OC The Josh Schwartz-directed show, along with Mischa’s troubled character Marissa Cooper, defined the Y2K zeitgeist, driving trends in music, fashion, beauty and beyond. Thanks to Marissa, the millennial teenagers of the era tied singlets to low-cut skirts, wore bikini tops to the mall, and indulged in the skimpy little dress (possibly sourced from Galliano’s Dior or BCBG).
Beyond OC, Mischa was a fashion plate unto herself. With the help of her stylist, the actress covered the boho-glam look of the adoration, wearing dresses inspired by Marc Jacobs, floaty dresses from Zac Posen and Oscar de la Renta, and Y2K staples like boot cut jeans, with amazing “outings”. satin tops and ribbons. Here, we look back at some of Mischa’s most iconic outfits of the ’00s.
In OC, 2003
OC it was the teenage drama that defined a generation. From its 2003 premiere to its groundbreaking fourth season, the series had a suffocation of millennials, enthralling teenage viewers with soapy melodrama, all while completely changing the compass of pop culture. The show’s iconic needlepoints made Imogen Heap and Death Cab for Cutie household names, while reviving acts like Mazzy Star for a new generation of Limewire-wielding teenagers. On the sartorial side of things, Marissa Cooper – played by a 16-year-old Mischa Barton – was OCstyle plate. In an interview with GuardianMischa described her character’s style as “prep [and] privileged.” Over the years, the troubled protagonist put a big spin on the Y2K ditsy-glam look, pairing low-cut singlets, layering tank tops with bikini tops and becoming the poster girl for the mini dress. bare, like this pink jersey number. from BCBG.
Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
At the Teen Choice Awards, 2004
after OCMischa’s first season adopted a bit of Marissa’s Cali-cool look, opting for beachy, boho-chic styles on and off the red carpet. For example: this patchwork dress, worn in 2004 Teen Choice Awardsand paired with Marissa’s requisite waves and flat sandals.
Photo by SGranitz/WireImage
At the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, 2004
Loved by the stars from Lindsay Lohan to Anne Hathaway, boots-jeans-and-high-heels it’s as Y2K a combination as they come. Here’s Mischa wearing the infamous sartorial duo on the red carpet at Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards.
Photo by J. Merritt/FilmMagic
At a Marc Jacobs event, 2005
In 2005, Mischa was the main daughter of Marc Jacobs. Long before the days of Paradise and Kiki, Marc (and Marc by Marc) was the go-to for ditsy-twee designs for girls from Paris Hilton to Blair Waldorf. Here, attending an event at Marc’s LA flagship, Mischa wears some of the designer’s signature pieces, including this cute sweater and headband.
Photo by Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage
At the Vanity Fair Oscars Party, 2004
Here is Mischa in another Marc look. This time in Vanity FairThe infamous Oscars after party with top star and fellow Y2K star Lindsay Lohan. Throughout the mid-’00s, Mischa adopted the look of the chic vintage era, wearing silhouettes inspired by the fashions of the 1920s and 30s.
Photo by Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage
At a Fox TV event, 2005
This is of Mischa Barton’s look: a dress from Chloé’s Phoebe Philo-helmed SS04 collection. In that time, Vogue described the collection as “possessing the understated quality of ‘Her.'” Almost two decades later, it follows: Mischa always looks mid-’00s like a girl drained of rhinestones and liquid satin.
Photo by Donato Sardella/WireImage for Teen Vogue
At the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party, 2006
of that girl in of that party. In 2006, Mischa took part Teen VogueThe infamous Young Hollywood event dressed in a sparkly dress along with black tights of the era everywhere. Jacquard, patent wedges, 140 deniers of it all! But we’d expect nothing less from a mean girl with Rachel Zoe on speed dial.
Follow iD on Instagram and TikTok for more iconic outfits.
