Fashion

17 Bare Midriffs of the Early 2000s That Attempted Sexy, But Were Just Plain Awkward

Mark my words. I will eject myself from civilization the day society deems the ultra-low rise, pubic-bone baring jeans of my youth cool again. Born of the Abercrombie generation, the bare midriff trend of the early 2000s was a cultural fluke to say the least. For a few years there, design proportions were just off. Shirts were just too short and pants were far too low, leaving the midriff open to a chilly draft at any given moment. Not to point fingers, but I blame Britney.

Let's travel back in time to an age of chandelier belly button rings, grommeted belts, and casual butt-crack. Get a load of these 17 awkward moments from the early 2000s midriff trend, and you'll never take a crop top with a high-waisted jean for granted ever again.

Image: Getty Images

by Arielle Dachille

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay’s torso and her legs have dissociative identity disorder in this look.

Matthew Peyton/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Christina Aguilera

Can we call this “black tie tankini?”

Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Britney Spears

This shirt is literally meant for an 18-month-old with freakishly long arms.

Frank Micelotta/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Lacey Chabert

Business on the top and bottom; party in the middle.

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Hilary Duff & Amanda Bynes

The poster girls for shrunken shirts circa 2003.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Alexa Vega

You know your waistband should be higher when you can see your tanline. Just saying.

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Britney, again...

Guhh, is she wearing a horse bridal as a belt?

Kevin Winter/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Rihanna

Peek-a-boo boy shorts.

Scott Gries/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Jessica Biel

Despite her sweater, Jessica Biel is rapidly losing heat through her happy-trail region.

Carlo Allegri/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Jojo

“A few inches of lower abdomen” should’ve been Jojo’s debut album title.

Scott Gries/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Ashlee Simpson

Just a little more fabric, and you’re good.

Scott Gries/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Avril Lavigne

UGHH, THIS!!

Frank Micelotta/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

More Avril... It's necessary.

Rock on, hip bones.

Robert Mora/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Vanessa Minnillo

Was I the only one who went to middle and high school with a throng of girls dressed just like Vanessa Minnillo in this picture?

Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Rihanna

Oh, Rih. You had such good intentions.

Peter Kramer/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Cristina Milian

Everyone’s got front row seats to the sparkly belly button ring and cargo pant show.

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Britney Spears

Britney’s upper pubic bone: MTV VJ at-large.

Mark Mainz/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
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