The nineties was a fast moving decade. Beanie babies were all the craze, Seattle grunge took the world by storm and Bill Clinton’s private affairs were put on blast. It gave us the Gulf War, but also the end of the Cold War. It was the decade of third wave feminism, sitcoms galore, and a brand new World Wide Web.
Music before the new millennium brought us the Spice Girls, The Backstreet Boys, and Nirvana. They were topping charts and breaking records all while influencing the fashion scene. Plaid, platform shoes and baggy jeans were in high demand, and now, every department store has a row of thick soled shoes and mom jeans. A-list it girls like Drew Barrymore and Sarah Michelle Gellar sported crop tops, chokers, and tinted shades, while alternative male artists opted for turtlenecks and striped tees that are now the go to fall style.
Plaids
Plaid was inescapable in the nineties after Cher Horowitz strutted down the halls of Bronson Alcott High in her iconic matching yellow blazer and skirt. The schoolgirl look was in full force thanks to movies like Clueless, Empire Records and The Craft. Mini backpacks, knee high socks, and button up shirts were a huge part of this preparatory trend. Plaid also found its footing on the complete other end of the spectrum with the Seattle grunge scene in the early nineties. Flannels were the unofficial uniform for skaters and alternative rock fans alike. Today, plaid and flannel shirts remain a staple of casual wear.
Chunky sneakers/Platforms
The ankle breakers of the nineties hit center stage with the Spice Girls. Delia’s catalogues offered girls many platform options such as Mary Janes, boots, sneakers and sandals. The modern platforms are very similar and the extreme ones came out of the woodwork during EDM festival season. A new version of platforms have debuted, nicknamed “flatforms”. The raised shoes with no heel give height without sacrificing balance and, coming in sandals or closed-toe options like sneakers and creepers.
Androgynous looks
The gender bending looks of the nineties can be traced back to the likes of Kurt Cobain and Canadian pop singer K.D. Lang. Some men were rocking long locks and dresses while women were sporting short hair and suits. Today’s androgyny is mostly linked to the Gen Z take down of the gender binary. We are embracing “whatever feels comfortable” to the fullest extent and taking down exclusionists on the way.
Overalls
People of all ages rocked overalls in the nineties, whether they were putting one strap down like the Fresh Prince or going the cutesy route with a sweet striped tee underneath. Everyone had a pair! Now you can find overalls, short-alls, and skirt-alls in any color and fabric you could ever want.
Slip Dresses
Slip dresses were all the rage during the nineties making it the perfect “going out” dress. Supermodels like Kate Moss popularized this slinky trend and designers like Calvin Klein and Versace kept dishing them out. Celebrities like Winona Ryder, Sofia Coppola and Gwyneth Paltrow could not get enough of them whether mini or full length! For more casual looks, they were often worn with a white tee underneath. The style still holds up today, showing us how truly ageless these dresses are.
Oversized outerwear
The early nineties carried with it a short recession, that lead to many hand-me downs being passed along, which became the norm until later in the decade. Nowadays it seems that the trend has returned largely thanks to K-pop stars. The extra fabric gives off a great sense of movement and fluidity in their choreography.
Fanny Packs
Fanny packs started the decade as an outdated accessory, but in 1994 when Chanel dropped one on the runway, the once popular belt-bag hit a new generation. Every brand had one, and they stayed securely around waists for the remainder of the decade. Now the fanny packs rest like cross bodies during high fashion events, or remain waist level during festivals and concerts as a safe way to carry valuables. Who says fashion can’t be practical?
Crop tops
The midriff baring shirts that are everywhere today were just as fashionable in the 90s. All the fashion forward celebrities were rocking them. Jennifer Aniston, Liv Tyler and even Julia Roberts were showing off the skin under and around their belly button. In recent years pants waistlines have inched up and with them shirt hems keep rising. Fashion labels like Muimui and Balenciaga have marched many a model down the catwalk in crop top driven ensembles.
With all that being said, why are the nineties still so idolized today, almost 30 years later? We see both fashion icons and social media gurus rocking velvet chokers and matching sets. Vintage fashion draws in all age groups and the nineties really have something for everyone. I went home over the summer and my fashion blind mother was very excited to see me in boyfriend jeans and a vintage Rolling Stones T-shirt. I was pretty confused until she pulled out an old photo of her in something similar. History repeats itself and with fashion, it is no different.