1990s Clothes, Outfits and Trends

The saying “what happens comes back” may be meant to describe karma, but it also works perfectly to explain the fashion cycle. Trends and styles that were once considered modern and edgy become old and ugly, only to be reborn and worn again decades later. And that cycle seems to be spinning faster than ever. Less than 20 years later, fashion that was considered cool in the 90s has become cool again. Whether on the catwalks, on the streets or in the stores, the trends of the 90s are appearing everywhere. So, embrace these crop tops, chokers and Doc Martens, and we’ll show you the modern way to rock them. Here’s our guide to 90s fashion and how to wear it today.

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Fashion in the 1990s

1990s fashion sparked a youth movement and offered carefree styles that mingled with rebellion. Grunge and minimalism were the main trends of the decade, with hip-hop and “sexy schoolgirl” styles also in vogue. Designers such as Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen pioneered grunge and drew inspiration from the rocky streets. Models have been swapped for a new breed of waif models with Kate Moss and her “heroine chic” look leading the pack. Everyone wanted to emulate Moss’ “too cool to care” style, and fashion showcased that attitude. Music and fashion also went hand in hand, with fans copying the unique styles of their musical idols.

90s outfits

Flared jeans

Long before skinny jeans were everyone’s go-to denim style, flared and wide-leg styles reigned supreme. Thanks to a preference for oversized, loose silhouettes, these pants were popular in the ’90s. Their laid-back aesthetic made them perfect for daywear, but these must-have pants were also on display at night with cropped tops. To wear flared jeans today, consider choosing a cropped style to give this look a modern update. What are the trends of the 90s?

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Necklaces

When it came to accessories in the 90s, chokers were “it”. These necklace-like necklaces fitted snugly around the neck and added a bold element to outfits. While many were made of stretchy plastic and designed to look like a tattoo, others boasted a fabric construction and featured charms and jewels. In 2020, the choker is well and truly back in fashion and makes it possible to offer a panoply of outfits with chic 90s accents.

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Hoop earrings

Chokers weren’t the only jewelry to peak in popularity in the ’90s. Hoop earrings also had a big moment during the decade. Worn everywhere by women, these hoop earrings add attitude to many outfits. The only rule when wearing this sassy piece of jewelry was to make it as big as possible. After all, what’s the point of wearing jewelry if it doesn’t cause a stir?

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crop tops

To rock the 90s look in 2020, a crop top is a must. These bare midriff tops were a staple fashion item for women in the 90s and are back in style. Today, you can relive the best fashion of the decade by pairing a crop top with mom jeans. This chic jumpsuit is a favorite of celebrities and street style stars. To make the look modern, just swap cropped camisoles for cropped t-shirts, sweaters and tank tops.

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Overalls

If you lived through the 90s, chances are you wore overalls. These sleeveless denim jumpsuits were a fashion staple for the decade and worn by women and men everywhere. No longer just for farmers, the 90s made dungarees a casual and comfortable wardrobe staple. To rock this look in true ’90s style, try pairing a pair of classic blue overalls with a crop top and sneakers.

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Scrunchies

If you dressed in the 90s, there was more to your outfit than just your clothes. It ended with your hair. Far from boring, 90s hair had accessories and, of course, scrunchies. Scrunchies were a favorite fashion item of the decade and complemented many outfits. From simple satin styles to glamorous velvet designs, scrunchies were available in a range of options and could be worn with a ponytail, bun or pigtails.

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90s shoes

Like clothes, shoes in the 90s belonged to the same trend categories. The grunge movement created an army of men and women wearing sturdy combat boots. They were tough, gritty, and paired with everything from strappy dresses and florals to flannel shirts and frayed jeans. The minimalist trend also had its basic shoe in the style of Birkenstocks. Simplistic and comfortable, Birkenstocks come in a variety of styles and colors, but still have that uniform feel. Platforms were popularized by the pop music scene, especially the Spice Girls. Chuck Taylors from Converse, Mary Jane-style shoes from Manolo Blahnik and classic pool slides were also in high rotation.

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90s hip hop fashion

If you didn’t have a grunge or minimalist style in the 90s, you probably wore a hip-hop outfit. Popular in urban areas, hip-hop fashion was represented by loose silhouettes, relaxed fabrics and sporty details. Like grunge, the style corresponded to the musical genre of the same name. As such, hip-hop stars were icons of this style and provided the best sartorial inspiration.

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90s grunge fashion

The anti-fashion attitude of the 90s culminated in the grunge style. One of the most beloved looks of the decade, grunge gave fashion a bold, attitude-filled makeover. Over the past few seasons, the grunge style’s return to popularity has been evident on the streets and on the catwalks. From ripped jeans and baggy tees to plaid shirts and layered strappy dresses, grunge essentials are back in style.

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90s celebrity fashion

Celebrities were the style icons of the 90s. Musicians, comedians and singular models inspired the clothing choices of a generation. Outfits have been copied and styles recreated, while never failing to celebrate individuality. Everyone wanted to sound like their favorite musician, whether it was Britney Spears, Madonna, Gwen Stefani or one of the Spice Girls. Britney offered the schoolgirl look while Gwen Stefani promoted grunge, and Madonna had her unforgettable Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra. The Spice Girls celebrated originality with each a different personality. And every 90s girl knew which Spice Girl she was, whether it was Posh, Baby, Scary, Sporty or Ginger. Kate Moss was the ultimate style queen while Drew Barrymore and Winona Ryder were just as stylish off-screen as they were.

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90s hairstyles

90s hairstyles were anything but boring. Youthful and playful, 90s hair has spawned several iconic styles. “The Rachel” was the most popular haircut of the decade with women around the world taking pictures of Jennifer Aniston’s Friends character in their living rooms. With a choppy, face-framing fade, “The Rachel” epitomizes ’90s hair. For those who didn’t do the chop in the ’90s, up-dos were standard. The half-up half-down look was modern and simplistic while the schoolgirl look gave us pigtails that turned into two mini buns. Adding more fun to 90s hairstyles was a range of hair accessories. Scrunchies, butterfly clips, bandanas and colorful highlights were all worn with pride. And how could we ever forget the setting?

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90s fashion trend

To wear the 90s fashion trend today, you need to rework the styles so that they are relevant in today’s culture. Instead of copying looks exactly as they were in the 90s, recreate them in a modern and updated way. The trick is to capture that 90s “too cool to care” attitude while looking fresh and trendy. To do this, mix classic 90s pieces like crop tops or chokers in your everyday wardrobe with skinny jeans and heeled boots. You can also pair your new favorite dress with a 90s half-up hairstyle or add layers by wearing a t-shirt underneath. Either way, have fun with your style and embrace the carefree, youthful feel of the 90s.

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90s fashion