PHOTO: JAMES DEVANEY/GC IMAGES

Listen, if working in fashion has taught me anything, it’s that there’s really no such thing as a new trend. Today’s top styles are pretty much all throwbacks, and to be honest, I’m usually completely fine with that. Forever-nostalgic me will happily throw on a bucket hat with my twisted halter-top and boot-cut jeans, no problem. But, if you’re asking me to follow Anne Hathaway’s lead and go full 2012 in 2021? I might have to stop you right there.

Sure, I myself own plenty of ugly sandals and won’t ever knock comfy leggings (although I am slightly worried about the colorful leggings. trend). But seeing Hathaway out in New York, wearing these pieces with an army green jacket, an extremely large purse, and a slouchy gray beanie (!!!) instantly takes me to a dark place. Like, I can almost feel the sad, broke, and heartbroken struggle of my early 20s just looking at this combination, and suddenly, I’m having flashbacks of myself wearing a similar something, snapping pictures in the Photo Booth app on my dinosaur laptop.

JOSE PEREZ/BAUER-GRIFFIN/GC IMAGES

Of course, none of this is the actress’ fault, clothing included. Hathaway was actually filming an upcoming Apple TV+ series, WeCrashed, about the rise and fall of WeWork, with Jared Leto when she was spotted by paparazzi. Considering the coworking company was founded in 2010, these shots might very well be depicting its early days, and in that case, the outfit makes total sense

JOSE PEREZ/BAUER-GRIFFIN/GC IMAGES

However, it’s still a reminder that anything — anything! — can happen in the mysterious world of fashion, especially in the TikTok age, where early ’00s pieces are constantly rediscovered and revamped. I will say that, as far as questionable trends go, slouchy beanies are pretty tame compared to, say, dresses over jeans, which yes, are somehow back for round two. But maybe we can just give this look another year or so? I need a bit of time to prepare — and to find a long, random pendant necklace from Forever 21 to go with it.