12 '90s fashion trends to revisit
By Teddy Danielson ยท Edited edition:
Edited by The Nostalgic Millennial
Original publication and manuscript receipt dates are not established.
Bright windbreakers, roomy jeans and a scrunchie on your wrist: a '90s closet had plenty going on. Maybe you wore these pieces the first time around. Maybe you found a pair of overalls in a thrift store last weekend. Either way, you can work a favorite detail into the clothes you already wear.
The photos are contemporary stock illustrations of the clothing. They do not show the named performers or document outfits from the 1990s. Credits link to the photo source pages. Pick a piece you enjoy, then try it with a few things in your closet. The twelve ideas below give you somewhere to start.
1. Chokers
A velvet ribbon and a stretchy tattoo choker give quite different versions of the same close-fitting necklace. Pearls or a fine chain offer another way to try the shape.
Wear a velvet choker with a slip dress, or layer delicate necklaces above a V-neck. Check the fastening and choose a comfortable length. The point is to enjoy the detail without spending the afternoon adjusting it.
2. Mom jeans
High waists and a slightly tapered leg are part of the familiar mom-jeans shape. Cuts vary, so try sitting and moving in a pair as well as checking them in the mirror.
Tuck in a cropped top to show the waist, or let an oversized sweater fall over the jeans. A cropped hem leaves room to show your shoes. Keep a longer leg if that is the fit you prefer.
3. Crop tops
Gwen Stefani wore a black crop top with a wrap skirt at a November 1997 gala documented by Getty Images. It is one dated example of the look, with plenty of room for a less dressy version.
Try a tailored crop top with high-waisted trousers, or a casual one with biker shorts or jeans. Changing the rise of the bottom half changes how much midriff shows. A jacket or open shirt gives you another layer when you want one.
4. Flannel shirts
The Museum at FIT's account of '90s fashion connects grunge with layered clothing from the Pacific Northwest music scene. A plaid flannel shirt is an easy place to start with that layered look.
Leave it open over a graphic tee, tie it around your waist or button it over jeans. Under a jacket, it adds warmth as well as pattern. An oversized cut makes a loose outer layer; a closer fit is easier to tuck in.
5. Platform shoes
The Spice Girls and enormous platforms belong in the same set of fashion memories. Northampton Museums keeps a circa-1997 copy of the Union Jack boot style worn by the group.
For an outfit of your own, try platform sneakers with wide-leg jeans or platform boots with a mini skirt. Walk in the shoes before deciding how much height you want. A lower platform can still give you the chunky shape.
6. Scrunchies
A fabric-covered hair tie is a small throwback you can put to work right away. There are dated examples to look back at, too: Powerhouse keeps an Ozart scrunchie made around 1992 for Sydney's Olympic bid.
Try satin with a low ponytail, velvet for a different texture or an oversized scrunchie around a messy bun. Match it to a color in your clothes, or choose one that stands out. Keep a spare in your bag if you usually end up borrowing a hair tie.
7. Overalls
A plain tee under denim overalls makes a straightforward casual outfit. A fitted turtleneck changes the look and gives you a warmer layer. Denim shorts and overall dresses offer other ways to use the same idea.
Check the torso length and straps when you try them on. They should leave room to sit comfortably. Wear sneakers for a casual finish, and roll the hems if you want a shorter leg.
8. Bucket hats
A bucket hat can supply the pattern in an otherwise plain outfit. Canvas gives you one texture; a fuzzy fabric gives you something quite different.
Try a plain hat with a brightly colored shirt, or a patterned one with a simple tee and jeans. Check the brim in the mirror and see whether it stays where you want it. A hat you keep pulling back into place is unlikely to get much wear.
9. Slip dresses
Thin straps and a simple shape leave plenty of room for layers. The Museum at FIT's body-and-fashion exhibition includes '90s slip-dress examples, alongside discussion of the narrow body ideals promoted during the period.
You can wear the dress in the way that suits you. A white baby tee underneath and combat boots give it a grunge reference. Strappy heels and delicate jewelry make another outfit for a dressier occasion. Satin and jewel tones change the effect again.
10. Fanny packs
A fanny pack or belt bag gives you a small place to keep the things you reach for most. Nylon and leather versions can look quite different, even before you change how you wear them.
Try one across your chest over a hoodie or tee, or fasten it at your waist over a blazer or dress. Check the strap length and whether your phone fits before choosing a bag. That practical check matters more than getting a particular styling angle exactly right.
11. Combat boots
Lace-up boots give a floral dress a heavier finish. They also work with the flannel-and-jeans outfit from earlier in the guide.
Try them with ripped jeans and a band tee, or with simple jeans and a leather jacket. Choose a sole and fit you can walk in comfortably. If the boots are the heaviest part of the outfit, keep the other pieces as simple as you like.
12. Windbreakers
Bold color blocks and that familiar swishy fabric are part of the windbreaker's appeal. A bright jacket can carry most of an outfit's color.
Wear one with leggings and sneakers, over a crop top and jeans, or with joggers. A plain tee underneath leaves the jacket easy to see. If you already have one tucked away, try it with your usual clothes before shopping for another.
Start with the piece you missed, whether that is a scrunchie, a roomy pair of jeans or a brightly colored jacket. For more ideas about deciding what earns space in your closet, read our guide to decluttering without losing what matters.