The resurgence of 1990s fashion has produced a truly mixed bag of emotions. While the ’90s are responsible for the now-popular slip dresses and kitten heels, there are also a number of trends we’d like to leave behind. After contacting the rest of the Who What Wear team, we reminisced about all the pieces we used to be so proud to own but can’t imagine ever wearing again, as well as celebrity looks we’d happily revisit time and again.
Just when you think all of the possible forgotten looks from the 1990s have been hidden, another one appears. How much do you want for a ridiculously small bag right now? How much better would it be if it had small handles and was made of silk? What about those Kate Moss images from the ’90s that you keep coming back to for fashion inspiration on nights out? We’ve recently rediscovered our love for old-school SJP and combat trousers. The revivals are coming thick and fast, folks.
Scroll down for our guide to the ’90s fashion items, trends, and combinations we wore until we forgot about them.
1. Animal-Print Dresses
Style Notes: From the midi length to the snakeskin fabric, we can easily imagine this Cindy Crawford dress being worn by an Instagrammer this season. Animal print may have taken a dip in popularity over the years, but it is now officially back in style.
2. Blush Pink
Style Notes: This stunning blush-pink red carpet look is still one of the most iconic dresses of all time. Scandi influencers frequently wear soft-pink gowns with cowboy boots.Gwyneth Paltrow was way ahead of her time.
3. Sheer Fabrics
Style Notes: Helena Bonham-Carter wore a sheer-sleeve red carpet gown with a gold chain necklace, which is currently in style. Copycat sheer dresses and tops are popular this season, perfect for pairing with denim and strappy sandals for a night out.
4. Velvet
Style Notes: Velvet was the fabric of the ’90s, and Sarah Michelle Gellar’s look exemplifies the slinky style’s popularity during the decade. Fast forward to the party season, and the fabric is making a strong comeback, with both affordable and high-end brands creating dramatic midis and wrap dresses in jewel-tone velvet.
5. Chain Mail
Style Notes: While she is best known for her Versace safety-pin dress, Elizabeth Hurley also wore a stunning chain mail number. The fabric gained popularity after Gianni Versace created a more wearable version, and the concept has returned once more, with chain mail tops appearing all over the high street.
6. Corsets
Style Notes: In the 1990s, if you didn’t wear a vest or corset, you were living in a bubble.Sarah Jessica Parker wore boned and bodiced bandeaus with various outfits, including short suits and red carpet skirts. For a more versatile look in 2020, consider a milkmaid-style bustier top.
7. Slip Dresses and Skirts
Style Notes: While slip dresses are timeless, the slinky bias cut is particularly trendy right now.Kate Moss was a strong advocate for simple style, especially in the 1990s.
8. Being a Bit Hippy
In the 1990s, many people tried to emulate Lisa Bonet’s effortless NYC hippy look, even if they weren’t into grunge or polished styles. Celebrities still enjoy wearing “naked” dresses, and mini sunglasses and sneakers remain popular.
9. Printed Leggings
Style Notes: Printed leggings became popular in the 1980s and continued into the 1990s. Naomi Campbell looks stunning in this matching ensemble, even though it’s not a popular style nowadays.
10. Teeny-Tiny Bags
Style Notes:Tell us honestly: you want a mini bag again, right? Kate Beckinsale’s little fabric bag and pink skirt are very on-trend. We’re curious if she still has the pieces she wore to the film premiere. Also, credit goes to Claire Danes for the very trendy tiger-print top.
11. Strappy Heels
Style Notes: Zara’s new shoe collection is reminiscent of strappy heels from 1995. Jennifer Lopez looks great in her business casual outfit.
12. Bucket Hats
Style Notes: While this trend may have originated in the grunge music scene, it has also been promoted by girl groups All Saints and Campbell. Justin Bieber recently attempted to bring it back. Opinions are divided.
13. Leather Blazers
Style Notes: The popularity of this item can be attributed to the popularity of Neo’s long leather coat in the hit film The Matrix. But because the maxi silhouette isn’t very practical and is more associated with goth kids, it evolved into this shorter version, as seen on Winona Ryder and Moss. In today’s fashion, the classic biker jacket is the go-to choice for cool girls.
14. Cargo Trousers
Style Notes: Who doesn’t have a pair of cargo trousers? Thanks to All Saints, the baggy trousers looked quite sassy when worn with a crop top.
15. Vests as Tops
Style Notes: We tried several times to block this one out. During the 1990s, the vest was frequently worn as an individual piece rather than as part of a suit ensemble. It’s best worn with a denim skirt and a bum bag, as Drew Barrymore does.
16. Oval Sunglasses
Style Notes: Kurt Cobain was a style icon for various reasons. His baggy cardigans and affinity for the grunge look influenced an entire generation of fashion. We still adore the oversize red sunnies he wore on the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1993. We had forgotten about them for so long, even though they have only recently regained popularity.
17. Tube Tops
Style Notes: Liv Tyler brings back memories of our youth. The strapless top was a must-have for any ’90s wardrobe, especially when paired with an oversize necklace.
18. Baggy Clothes and Beanies
Style Notes: There are numerous reasons to enjoy the Gwyneth-and-Brad era. For starters, they were always able to pull off the couples-dressing thing without looking tacky. They also wore casual clothing like no one else.
19. Tie-Dye
Style Notes: If you didn’t have a tie-dye T-shirt like the original Destiny’s Child lineup, were you really living in the ’90s? These were truly widespread, with even grunge icons such as Cobain getting involved.
Why trust us?
At Who What Wear, we specialize in fashion. Our editors have extensive industry experience, ranging from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most well-known names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully chosen based on current trends, quality, and practical wearability.
We regularly try pieces on ourselves, including everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes, speak with external experts and fashion insiders, and stay in touch with what our readers are looking for. Our advice is based on expertise and must meet our high standards of taste, so you can be confident in every recommendation.
