Check Out the LA Hotel Where We Stayed For Our Aughts Effect Cover Shoot
Our take
The resurgence of the “Aughts Effect” is more than just a fleeting trend; it’s a cultural reset, a nostalgic yearning for a simpler time filtered through a modern lens. Popsugar’s celebration of its 20th anniversary and the era itself, as evidenced in this piece detailing a stay at the CitizenM Downtown LA hotel for their Aughts Effect cover shoot, speaks volumes about our collective desire to revisit and reimagine a period defined by a distinct aesthetic. It’s a response to the hyper-curated, often overwhelming, digital landscape of today, a craving for the rawer, more accessible style of the mid-2000s. The article’s focus on a specific hotel, the CitizenM, further underscores this shift—it’s not about unattainable luxury, but about stylish, modern spaces that cater to a discerning yet approachable audience. This ties directly into the larger conversation around the “Aughts Effect is Everywhere The Aughts Effect is Everywhere," a phenomenon permeating fashion, beauty, and lifestyle choices.
The choice of CitizenM as the backdrop for this shoot is particularly insightful. The brand itself embodies a contemporary, design-forward aesthetic that resonates with the updated interpretation of the aughts. It’s a far cry from the opulent, often gaudy, hotels that sometimes defined that era. Instead, it reflects a more refined understanding of luxury – one that prioritizes experience and design over overt displays of wealth. Consider, too, the broader context of current fashion trends – the emphasis on effortless chic and timeless pieces, as highlighted in "7 Classic Trends Every Chic Parisian Will Wear This Fall 7 Classic Trends Every Chic Parisian Will Wear This Fall." This Parisian sensibility, with its understated elegance and focus on quality, is a key element in the reimagining of the aughts, moving away from the more maximalist tendencies of the original decade. The curated selection of “53 Too-Good-To-Pass-Up Nordstrom Shoes, Basics, and Accessories For Fall 2026 You Hit the Jackpot—53 Too-Good-To-Pass-Up Nordstrom Shoes, Basics, and Accessories For Fall 2026” further reinforces this idea; it’s about investing in timeless pieces rather than chasing fleeting trends.
What makes this editorial approach so compelling is its ability to tap into a deeper emotional current. The aughts were a period of significant cultural transition, marked by the rise of social media and the increasing influence of celebrity culture. Re-examining this era now allows us to reflect on how these forces have shaped our lives and our relationship with consumption. The hotel review, while seemingly simple, becomes a vehicle for exploring these larger themes. It's not just about the comfortable bed or the stylish decor; it’s about the feeling of stepping back in time while still firmly rooted in the present. The deliberate choice of a hotel that caters to a modern traveler, one who values both style and practicality, speaks to a generation that is both nostalgic for the past and forward-looking in its aspirations. This isn’t about recreating the aughts verbatim; it’s about extracting the essence of that era – the optimism, the energy, the sense of possibility – and translating it into a contemporary context.
Ultimately, the “Aughts Effect” represents a desire for authenticity and a rejection of the relentless pursuit of perfection. It’s a reminder that style can be both effortless and impactful, and that luxury can be found in the details, not just the price tag. The careful curation of experiences, like choosing a hotel that embodies this aesthetic, demonstrates a growing appreciation for mindful consumption and a desire to surround oneself with beauty and intention. The question now is whether this trend will continue to evolve, or if it will eventually fade as we move further away from the mid-2000s. Will the reimagined aughts become a lasting influence on our style and cultural landscape, or will it simply be a temporary detour on the ever-shifting road of fashion and trends?
This story is part of our Aughts Effect package, which celebrates 20 years of Popsugar — and enduring culture. Read all the stories here.
The Popsugar team is no stranger to travel. While we have a couple of folks in Los Angeles, most of our staff lives in New York. That means our cover shoots — which are often in LA — require quite a bit of back and forth. Such was the case when we photographed our four Aughts Effects cover stars — Daniella Monet, Monique Coleman, Sabrina Bryan, and Tahj Mowry — in a mall in Koreatown back in June.
Not only did team members fly in for the shoot; so did Coleman, who lives on the East Coast. When we met her at CitizenM, a hotel in downtown LA, she was bright-eyed and enthusiastic, even after a six-hour flight. Her vibrancy matched the decor of the lobby, which featured pops of primary color and funky accents.
We ended up using CitizenM as our home base throughout the shoot. We did a full-on fitting in one of the hotel's rooms, which proved to be spacious enough for several racks of clothing and all the heeled flip-flops your heart could desire.
Keep reading to learn more about the hotel and hear why our team thought it was the perfect landing spot for a quick trip to LA.
About CitizenM Los Angeles Downtown
Located at South Spring and West 4th Streets, the hotel is situated centrally in downtown Los Angeles.
The rooms are made for two adults, each featuring an XL king bed, rainfall shower, and a tablet to control everything from the temperature to the blackout blinds.
The hotel features a fitness center and meeting rooms on site, making it perfect for work travel.
CanteenM, the bar-restaurant on-site, is open 24 hours.
What We Liked About CitizenM
This was truly a great hotel for work travel. The location meant that we were a 15-minute drive from our shoot location in Koreatown, and not far from other popular areas of the city. Our stylist had to run all over Los Angeles tracking down the most iconic 2000s pieces, and she was able to make it back to CitizenM in time for our fitting with Coleman. The rooms, though cozy, still had ample space for several racks of clothing. We displayed all of the accessories on the roomy desk as well.
The rooms themselves proved to be highly efficient, perfect for a few nights on a work trip. The XL king-sized bed was roomy and very cozy — which actually made it difficult to get out of bed in time for our early wakeup calls.
Our creatively minded staff also loved the design touches throughout the hotel, from the paper lantern lights in the rooms to the plant walls in the lobby, which is affectionately named the "Living Room." We spent a whole afternoon spread out there, working from outlet-equipped tables and walking up to CanteenM, the bar-restaurant, for Diet Cokes and coffees. We also enjoyed a pre-dinner drink there, toasting to a successful cover shoot in the books.
Who Is CitizenM Best For?
CitizenM Los Angeles Downtown is best for solo travelers or couples looking for a hip, clean, and efficient stay in LA. We'd happily book it again the next time we're working on a shoot in the City of Angels.
Lena Felton (she/her) is a senior director of special projects at PS, where she oversees sponsored packages, tentpole projects, and editorial partnerships. Previously, she was an editor at The Washington Post, where she led a team covering issues of gender and identity. She has been working in journalism since 2017, during which time her focus has been feature writing and editing and elevating historically underrepresented voices. Lena has worked for The Atlantic, InStyle, So It Goes, and more.Read on the original site
Open the publisher's page for the full experience