1990s Fashion Most ICONIC Trends
From HipHop To 90s Grunge & Preppy Styles
The unique character of 90s fashion, born at the confluence of analog with digital, is seen by industry critics as the golden era of aesthetics and style.
The 90s fashion saw the emergence of gadgets like cell phones, Discman portable CD players, and Game Boy consoles – in creating original and unique styles.
The 90s fashion is Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Nirvana, Beavis and Butthead, Juice, Spice Girls, SNICK, Power Rangers, TGIF, Wayne’s World.
90s styles are MTV, Will Smith, Lady Diana, Andre Agassi, La Toya Jackson, Run-DMC, and their scrunchies, acid-wash 90s jeans, tube tops, capri pants, spiky, dyed hair, and chained wallets.
The 90s were glorious times for fashion, empowered by supermodels, celebs, and A-listers who rocked the 90s finest styles on the red carpet, in the movies, and MTV clips.
The influence of 90s fashion styles and pop culture remains so strong that even nowadays, in 2022, we see trends emerging as variations of the 90s styles.
In this article, I’ll take you back down memory lane to the best 90s fashion styles you can wear and show off right now, in 2022.
Without further ado, time to enjoy the top 90 most representative 90s fashion moments.
1/90
Overalls With The Straps Down
GUESS & TOMMY HILFIGER 90s OVERALLS
90s overalls can be rocked with one strap or both straps down, and if you want to be cool, you wore no shirt underneath—Jodeci style.
2/90
90s Bike Shorts
GIORDANA, CASTELLI, DE MARCHI
Introduced by celebrities like Madonna and Jane Fonda, spandex bike shorts were ideal for wearing in or out of the gym.
The most iconic moment of 90s bike shorts was when Princess Diana rocked an iconic pair of orange biker shorts from De Marchi, and a navy blue Virgin Atlantic sweatshirt gifted to her by Sir Richard Branson.
Thanks to Kim Kardashian, Off-White, and Naomi Campbell, bike shorts are now back in fashion.
3/90
Thick Headbands
NIKE, ADIDAS, SERGIO TACCHINI
Popularized by tennis stars, thick headbands became a must-wear hair accessory in the 90s fashion scene.
Beanie Feldstein recalled the wide headband trend while showcasing a satin one at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
4/90
Combat Boots
DOC MARTENS, SERGIO ROSSI, MONCLER
Popularized by the ‘Tank Girl’ devotees, fictional characters like Daria Morgendorffer, and celebs like Mel B, combat boots (in particular Dr. Martens) were the footwear trend of the ’90s, loved by the grunge fashion scene.
5/90
Bucket Hats
KANGOL, LACOSTE, BURBERRY
Popular in the late ’80s thanks to Jam Master Jay and LL Cool J, the bucket continued into the 90s fashion stage.
90s bucket hats were worn by Dennis Rodman, Ghostface Killah, and Rakim, and in 2022, we see them again worn by Rihanna, All Saints, Justin Bieber, and Naomi Campbell.
6/90
Cargo Pants
DICKIES, CARHARTT, WRANGLER, SKIDZ
The adoption of military-style khaki pants by hip-hop artists and movie stars in the 90s made Cargo pants part of mainstream fashion.
Thanks to the multi-pocket construct, cargo pants were ideal for carrying many accessories such as a Gameboy, pager, wallet, keys, etc.
7/90
Track Jackets & Tracksuits
ADIDAS, FILA, UMBRO, TOMMY HILFIGER
Bright, sporty, loud, and colorful, the 90s’ tracksuits and jackets were worn by hip-hoppers, British footballers, basketballers, rockstars, celebs, and even grandpas.
The 90s tracksuits were so popular that the style permeated into the realm of high-end designer labels, topping fashion magazines and catwalks workwide.
8/90
Sheer Dresses
GUCCI, VERSACE, JEAN PAUL GAULTIER
Babydoll shaped, with thin spaghetti straps, the sheer dress style became a global fashion trend after Kate Moss’s iconic appearance in 1993 – pictured above – a trend etched in the fashion history books forever.
9/90
Baggy Jeans
CARHARTT, WRANGLER, CROSS COLOURS
There is no 90s fashion without baggy denim pants – the baggier, the better.
Worn in particular by teenagers at school, disco, and home, this 1990s fashion style was cool according to the brand you were wearing.
10/90
High-Waisted Mom Jeans
LEVIS 501, GUESS, GITANO, JOOP
High-waist denim pants were worn by movie stars and models, following a smart campaign by Levis – the Spike Lee commercial.
Guess followed up, and mum jeans are still holding strong, three decades later, in a casual style of streetwear that looks so flattering right now.
11/90
Slip Dresses
LA PERLA, EMANUEL UNGARO, ARMANI
The slip dress became very popular in the late 90s fashion scene, part of the underwear-as-outerwear trend.
From layered chiffon, polyester satins, charmeuse, and trimmed with lace, slip dresses exemplify the 90’s fashion minimalistic vibe.
12/90
Flannel Shirts
CARHART, LEVI’S, WOOLRICH
Flannel shirts reached peak popularity in the 90s with the help of grunge rockers who wore flannel shirts as part of their trademarked low-key looks.
From here, flannel spread like wildfire amongst their fans to mainstream fashion, eventually becoming a fashion staple of the next generations.
13/90
90s Velvet Fashion
GIORGIO ARMANI, YVES SAINT LAURENT, NEW LOOK
Anything velvet was a go for the fashion icons of those times.
Looking to bask in another fresh 90s trend, Velvet clothes were designed in a blend of classic style and cool-girl vibe.
Such as Batsheva’s victorian necklines and YSL structured cuts with gathered waist were the epitome of 90s fashion styles.
14/90
Tees Under Blazers
NO FEAR, FRUIT OF THE LOOM, MOSCHINO
By the ’90s, labels like Moschino, Versace, and Calvin Klein led the way in high-end, fashion-focused t-shirts.
However, the tees under blazers trend were cemented on affordable streetwear labels like Fruit of the Loom and No Fear, becoming part of the ’90s casual wardrobe.
15/90
Mood Rings
BEWILD, LAGUNA
Color-changing jewelry or mood rings first became popular in New York City in the 70s, when people began to explore ways of showing their feelings.
The 90s mood ring contained a temperature-sensitive liquid crystal encased in quartz that changed color to reflect one’s temperature.
16/90
Skate Tees
NO FEAR, ALIEN WORKSHOP, TOY MACHINE, TRASHER, SPITFIRE
The street skateboarding culture leads to an explosion of ‘mall rats’ worldwide, rocking graphic tees with skate logos, from Alien Workshop, Hook-Ups, Toy Machine, and Thrasher, to No Fear and Spitfire, with some T-labels still active in 2022.
17/90
Rollers
ROLLERBLADE, POLLY POCKET, ROOKIE
When skateboarding was taking over the youth culture, inline skating was seen as a close competitor.
However, more on the fitness, disco dancing, and skate-a-date side of things rather than the street style, acrobatic, and even competitive culture associated with skateboarding.
18/90
Side Stripe Pants & Jeans
PARASUCO, RICHMOND, GLORY, NIKE, ADIDAS
In the 90s, pants and jeans with two stripes from waist to ankle were designed to show you had the cash flow of the rappers who rocked them at the time
This trend spilled over into the tracksuit pants of those times.
19/90
One Pant Leg Rolled Up
THE ‘GHETTO LEG’ STYLE
The “ghetto leg” style consisted of rolling up a pant’s leg to prevent it from getting stuck in the bike’s chain during life-threatening ‘ghetto activities.’
This was a functional approach that later translated into hip-hop music and beyond as a means of saying: “don’t mess with me.”
20/90
Bleached Hair
‘SUICIDE BLONDE’ HAIR COLOR
It was INXS, who introduced the term “suicide blonde” as a way to describe a misunderstood, complex person that’s on the verge of collapsing.
Thanks to celebrities like Eminem, Drew Barrymore, and Gwen Stefany, the bleached blonde hairstyle became representative of the 90s trends.
21/90
Pedal Pushers & Capri Pants
THE 90s CALF-LENGTH TROUSERS
The name “pedal pushers” recalls pants worn by cyclists who avoid long pants that can catch in bicycle chains.
The style was the female reflection of the ‘Ghetto Leg’ style – part of the teenage clothing trends of the 90s
Not to confuse ‘Capri pants’ and ‘pedal pushers’ with shorts or cropped kick flares.
Pedal pushers follow the 50s and 60s calf-length trousers style.
Often cuffed and worn tight to the skin, the style is sometimes referred to as ‘clam diggers.’
22/90
Chain Wallets
DICKIES, HARLEY DAVIDSON, LEVIS
Wallet chains were used in the 50s by bikers performing exhibitions on motorcycles as a way to secure their wallets.
The trend resurfaced in the 90s as a trifold or bifold leather wallet anchored at the fold with a sturdy chain (single or double) that hangs out on the side of the leg.
23/90
Neon Windbreakers
OCEAN PACIFIC, REEBOK, NIKE
The brighter, the better, the ‘Neon Windbreaker’ style was hot among kids and parents alike.
The Neon Windbreakers style emerged in the 80s and reached full maturity in the 90s, thanks to the TV shows and school culture worn by the coolest kids ‘on the block.’
24/90
Striped Sweaters
GUESS, MOSCHINO, HUGO BOSS, ICEBERG
From Kurt Cobain to Freddie Krueger, striped sweaters were a prevalent 90s fashion style, powered by an era of grunge fashion, Friends, and Nightmare on Elm Street.
25/90
Bandannas
LEVIS, ELEPHANT, CAROLINA MFG
Trendy head accessories, bandanas were tied around the head to showcase which rapper you were siding with.
Later on, wearing bandannas shifted from being a gang-related accessory to signaling sexual inclusivity – see the Handkerchief Code for more info.
26/90
Ripped Jeans
PEPE JEANS, LEVIS, CALVIN KLEIN
Seen as a political statement, ripped jeans were trendy in the 90s to showcase one’s anger towards society.
Kurt Cobain and Madonna are two of the many celebrities that popularised the trend, shifting it from a form of protest into a fashion trend that still reigns supreme.
27/90
Unbuttoned Shirts
CALVIN KLEIN, TOMMY HILFIGER, LEVIS, GUESS
Unbuttoned shirts were the antidote to the 90s fashion trends pushing toward tailored men’s looks via high-end designer labels’ advertising.
Shirts and ties were seen as a trend for older people, where showing skin was all about subverting or breaking the idea of tailoring conformity.
28/90
Hypercolor Tees
GENERRA SPORTSWEAR
Hypercolor was a line of clothing manufactured by Generra Sportswear and marketed as Generra Hypercolor, Generra Hypergrafix, or Global Hypercolor.
The line comprised mainly T-shirts and shorts that changed color via a thermochromic pigment made by Matsui Shikiso Chemical of Japan, one color when cold and one when warm.
29/90
Man Tanks
MOSCHINO, VERSACE, CALVIN KLEIN, MUJI
Worn by action hero men of the 90s, man tanks become popular among women thanks to music and movie by female celebrities.
Supertight man tanks were all the rage on the bodies of stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Big, muscly bodies were the standard physiques of the 90s heroes, and no garment was more suitable for showing off their overinflated pecs and six-packs.
30/90
Discman Headphones
SONY
A status symbol of the 90s fashion trends, Discman was Sony’s brand name for portable CD players.
With the 1st Discman device launched by Sony in 1984 as D-50 or D-5, Discman was the perfect example of the love-hate relationship every music lover had in the 90s.
While the tracks would always skip, the looks you got from having a $100+ player on your belt were worth all the stress.
31/90
Piercings Everywhere
FROM RAVE TO POP CULTURE
From rave to pop and skater cultures, piercings were the must-haves of the 90s fashion trends.
The ’90s were the prime time for piercings; nose, lips, tongues, ears, belly buttons, nipples, piercings were conquering places suitable enough to poke a needle through.
32/90
Lunchbox Bags
RAVE SMILEY FACE, TOM CORBETT, PLANET OF THE APES
Popularized by grunge, rave, metal, and hardcore alternative celebrities like Marilyn Manson and Gwar, the lunchbox was a top handle bag ideal for stowing essentials and signaling your tribe affiliation.
33/90
Striped Tops & Tees
POLO RALPH, TOMMY HILFIGER, MOSCHINO
Striped tops were made by every 90s fashion brand from Tommy Hilfiger, Eddie Bauer, and Polo.
Ill-fitting horizontal or vertical block stripe tops were the rage of 90s fashion trends, rocked by celebs everywhere, from holidays to the red carpets.
34/90
White Pump Sneakers
REEBOK, NIKE
Basketball pump sneakers hit the 90s fashion scene on the feet of royals and athletes like Lady D., Dominique Wilkins, and Michael Chang.
Made by Nike and Reebok, ‘Pump’ sneakers were mesmerizing and versatile, pointing to streetwear clothing styles we only now begin to understand.
35/90
Turtlenecks
POLO RALPH, TOMMY HILFIGER, TRIPLE FIVE SOUL
Turtlenecks were a staple of the 90s fashion styles.
Suitable for the wintertime, 90s turtlenecks came in two varieties: Extra-thick for sensitive souls, and close-cut, ribbed for the badass ones.
36/90
Rayon Shirts
VERSACE, GAP, FIORUCCI
A byproduct of 19th-century bomb-making, rayon shirts were one of the most fly things of the 90s trends.
The soft, light and spongy materials made it very popular in hot countries.
Initially adopted by South American drug dealers, the rayon shirts style made it into Holywood and the LA casual-wealthy pop culture.
37/90
Color Blocks (With A Message)
CROSS COLORS
Carl Jones and T.J. Walker set to create the “Clothing Without Prejudice” label to boost social awareness of AIDS and racial discrimination.
With African motifs and colors, the South Central based brand has become a beacon of aspiration, sported by celebs like Arsenio Hall, Kriss Kross, and Jamie Foxx.
38/90
Rice Necklaces
NOMINATION, MICHAEL KORS, VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
The vials are made of glass comprising a grain of rice as glass makes the rice look bigger, and the writing can be read more easily.
Most inscriptions contain a name, date, a rose, or a short text like “I love you.”
Rice writing originated in ancient Anatolia in Turkey and India.
Many rituals and rites use rice as a medium with the idea that those who receive them would become luckier and wealthier.
In the 90s fashion, rice necklaces with your lover’s name were the ideal accessory to make a cult-ish, religious almost, statement of love.
39/90
Clipped Pagers
MOTOROLA, NEC, PANASONIC, PHILIPS
There were not many smartphones in the 90s, but pagers were the norm.
Pagers could receive messages, were lightweight, had long battery life, and were very cheap.
There was no transmitter inside the pager, and there was no physical possibility to send any response.
40/90
Pinned & Tagged Backpacks
ELLESSE, HEAD, NIKE, ADIDAS
Emerged as a way to rep your crew or fav bands, the trend continues to the current times as laptop decals and smartphone covers.
Inspired by the backpack carried by the American soldiers in the Vietnam war, the 90s backpack tags were initially symbols of power and love that quickly transitioned into ways of showcasing one’s musical affiliations and taste.
41/90
Curtain Middle Part Hairstyle
90s HOLLYWOOD HAIRCUTS
The curtain haircut is characterized by a long fringe parted in the middle or side.
The hairstyle was introduced by ’90s grunge bands such as Nirvana and popularised by Hollywood heartthrobs like Brad Pitt and Leonardo Dicaprio.
42/90
Hoop Earrings
BVLGARI, CARTIER, CHOPARD
Emerging from Africa (notably Egypt and Sudan), hoop earrings symbolize cultural identity, rank, and protection.
The style made its way to Rome via pirates, and in the 90s fashion times, hoop earrings returned as a symbol of style and rebellion over the status quo.
43/90
Flat Tops
HAIRCUTS AS A FASHION TREND
A “flattop” is a short haircut where the hair on the top of the head is usually standing upright and cut to form a flat-appearing deck.
The flattop was popular in the 1950s but faded in popularity with the emergence of longer hairstyles in the late 70s, resurfacing in the early 1990s thanks to popular TV shows, music, and basketball celebrities.
44/90
Bike Caps
COLNAGO, BILLABONG, BROOKLYN
A casquette (from French’ cap’) is a peaked cotton cap traditionally worn by road cyclists.
However, Colnago and Brooklyn’s pieces were tweaked by the 90s hip-hop celebrities who flipped up the brim to create a unique look that took over the pop culture of those times.
45/90
Coogi
VERSACE, MOSCHINO, JENNY KEE, COOGIE
In the 90s, rappers started endorsing designers in their songs, and fans followed the brands.
Notorious B.I.G. began peppering brands like Coogi in his lyrics – see “One More Chance – Stay with Me (Remix)” launched in the summer of 1995.
46/90
Spiked Hair
FROM PUNK TO POP CULTURE
In times of rising hard-rock bands, post-cold war fashion styles, and rebellious punk hairstyles, all blending and forming the 90s pop culture, the spiky haircut was expected.
By the end of the decade, spiky hair began to morph with bleached hair and piercings to create a unique style.
47/90
Wallabees Shoes
CLARKS
The crepe-soled shoes were equally cool in urban and prep circles, the hallmark of a good ’90s fashion trend.
Thanks to Wu associations, Clark’s Wallabees enjoyed renewed popularity during the 1990s.
Wu-Tang rapper Ghostface was the undisputed champion of Clark’s Wallabees, explaining the current collab between the two brands to release the classic Wallabee in three exclusive colorways.
48/90
Slap Bracelets
FRUIT OF THE LOOM, OM CLOTHING, GILDAN
Wrist slapping bracelets were fun in the 90s, coming in all the craziest prints.
Slap bracelets (or snap bracelets) were invented by Wisconsin teacher Stuart Anders in 1983, sold originally under the brand name “Slap Wrap.”
Made from a flexible stainless steel spring band covered with printed silicone or plastic, these bracelets were an affordable means to showcase one’s tastes in movies, music, and so on.
49/90
Backward Caps
NEW ERA, STETSON, FUBU
The trend to wear hats backward started with Ken Griffey Jr., a famous baseball player in the 1990s.
Backward hats were quickly adopted by Dr. Dre, Will Smith, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., NAS, and even Janet Jackson.
The backward hats trend spread like fire throughout the 90s hip-hop community and beyond, as a trend worth the 90s fashion history books.
50/90
The Starter Jacket
STARTER
Starter Jackets were the apex of 90s clothing styles, from athletes to movie stars.
Created by a Starter, a premium athletic brand established in 1971, this jacket style pioneered the fusion of sports clothing with popular culture by forging partnerships.
The jacket was designed to represent your favorite team with the brightest and shiniest colors.
51/90
Basketball Kicks
AIR JORDAN, CONVERSE, REEBOK, BRITISH KNIGHTS
From Air Jordan to Rebook and BK, basketball sneakers are one of the most representative moments of the 90s fashion trends.
With the understanding that Michael Jordan won SIX championships in the ’90s, everyone felt that buying and wearing Jordans bestowed them with magic powers.
Each pair of Jordans kicks released during this decade was an absolute banger, and every pop culture icon of the ’90s rocked a pair of basketball kicks.
52/90
Cardigans
OLD NAVY, MICHAEL KORS, MARNI
90s fashion cardigan style appeared everywhere, from TV shows like Jawbreaker, Fresh Prince, & Friends, to the Cameron Diaz iconic 90s fashion moment on ‘There’s Something About Mary’
There was nothing more stylish than a cardigan to throw over your shoulders if your spaghetti straps or slip dress got a little chilly, and the updated cardi version looked equally chic worn as a top.
53/90
Knee Socks
THIGH-HIGH SOCKS
The 90s school-girl knee socks look made famous by Cher in Clueless.
High-fashion brands like Prada quickly picked up the style, and the sheer socks with loafers style were born, a look that resurfaces time and time again.
54/90
Leather Chokers
H.SAMUEL, URBAN OUTFITTERS, HOT TOPIC
Chunky leather and chain chokers were the ideal forms of punk expression during the 90s fashion styles.
There were also more sophisticated versions with crosses, skulls, flowers, and hearts.
55/90
Platform Sneakers
SKECHERS, NIKE
Platform sneakers were trendy in the 90s, with many brands (Skechers) making skate shoes, Air Max 95-like trainers, and the half-dressy, half-sneaker hybrids.
Some other popular platform shoes of the 90s were ‘Flatforms,’ ‘Lace-Up Platforms,’ ‘Sneaker Platforms, ‘ and ‘Foam Flip-Flop Platforms.’
56/90
Slide Platforms
BIRKENSTOCK, H&M, STEVE MADDEN
With the platform shoe style taking over the 90s women’s footwear, platform variations emerged, from platform sneakers to more relaxed styles such as the Slide platform.
In the ’90s, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who didn’t own at least one style of platform slides, from Thong Sandal Platform to Strappy Platform Sandal and even Platform Flip Flop.
57/90
Claw Clips
BARRETTE HAIR CLIPS
Claw clips were, in the ’90s, the ultimate chic hair accessory, promoted by Jennifer Aniston’s character Rachel Greene in ‘Friends over and over again.’
58/90
Cat-Eye Sunglasses
LE SPECS, LINDA FARROW, SAINT LAURENT, GUCCI
Cat-eye sunglasses and oversized cat-eye style frames peaked in the ’90s as excellent accessories for girls who wanted to have fun.
Modern throw-back cat-eye frames are often associated with the celebrities and royals of those days.
59/90
Plaid Set
TOMMY HILFIGER, RALPH LAUREN, CHANEL
Here’s another 90s fashion trend attributed to Cher and her iconic yellow plaid blazer and skirt set from Clueless.
The plaid set sees a resurgence in 2022, mainly as a plaid cardigan and tank combo often seen in the dark and light academia aesthetics.
60/90
Fanny Packs
FILA, CARHARTT, LONGCHAMP
Fanny packs bore the brunt of many fashion jokes, but in the ’90s, they were revered as a brilliant way to carry all your stuff hands-free.
Nowadays, waist belt bags are back with a vengeance, spotted on everyone from fashion influencers to Kendall Jenner.
61/90
Digital Watches
CASIO, SEIKO
Digital watches were the 90s attempt at wearable tech and the smartwatches we have today.
Techy watches were all the rage in those days and CASIO’s watches – from classic to G-Shock line – catered to all, from office to techwear fashion lovers.
62/90
Wide-Legged Pants
ECKO ULTD., LEVIS, DIESEL
As a successor of the booming 70s fashion trend sparked by Palazzo Pants, the wide-legged pant style caught attention thanks to denim houses reinventing the look.
Palazzo Pants also drew inspiration from the wide-legged cuffed pants worn by avant-garde fashionistas in the 30s and 40s, such as Katharine Hepburn, Greta Garbo, and Marlene Dietrich.
63/90
Hair Scrunchies
BURBERRY, TED BAKER, CHAMPION
Neomi Campbell, Britney Spears, Demi Moore, Sarah Jessica Parker, Madonna, Paula Abdul
When it comes to 90s fashion, hair scrunchies hold the synonym of getting ready for elementary school.
Wearing scrunchies in the 90s felt fresh and ready for a fitness session; nowadays, it feels romantic and luxurious.
64/90
Spaghetti Straps
REISS, MISS ANTOINETTE, AMERICA TODAY
Most 90s spaghetti-strap tops and dresses were worn to elegant soirees – see Gwyneth Paltrow’s 1999 Oscars outfit.
But, there was another more casual version of the dinner spaghetti straps, with branded prints and matched with denim, ideal for going out with friends.
65/90
Animal Print
90s LEOPARD PRINTS
Started by catwalk models like Naomi Cambel and taken to stardom by celebs on MTV like Spice Girl’s Mel B, in the 90s, animal prints were everywhere.
You’d see them on midi lengths in snakeskin fabric and on full-body outfits printed in leopard patterns, animal print styles where definite signs of luxury taste.
66/90
Blush Pink
JUICY COUTURE, CHANEL, GUCCI
In the 90s fashion world, the blush pink and red carpet combo has created some of the most iconic looks.
Soft-pink gowns and dresses were worn with cowboy boots and white heels, in perfect contrast to the red carpet.
67/90
Chainmail
PACO RABANNE, VALENTINO, VERSACE
The chainmail style fabric was brought back to life after Gianni Versace created a wearable dress that took the 90s fashion trends by storm.
Chainmail is a type of flexible armor made of metal rings linked together in a well-defined pattern to form a mesh, also used as a military robe between the 3rd century BC and the 16th century AD in Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
68/90
Corsets
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER, AGENT PROVOCATEUR
Owning and wearing lots of corsets was a thing of the 90s fashion.
Available in various styles and constructs, such as corset bodice, ribbon corsets, pipesets, front laced corsets, waspies, and Guepiere corsets, the 90s corsets went great with fancy skirts.
69/90
Printed Leggings
NAUTICA, NIKE, REEBOK
The trend of printed leggings started in the 80s, with the help of Olivia Newton-John and her ‘Let’s get physical’ clip and workout outfits, and went well into late 90s fashion days.
70/90
Strappy Heels
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, JIMMY CHOO, GIVENCHY
Once the go-to red-carpet shoe for 90s It-girls, from Jennifer Aniston to Kate Moss, the strappy heels are no longer reserved solely for evening engagements.
Strappy heels of the 90s fashion days were paired with dinner dresses or office trousers, nowadays with jeans and blazers.
71/90
Halter-Neck Tops
EMILIO PUCCI, ZIMMERMANN, JIL SANDER
Introduced as a new sleeveless style, similar to tank tops but with straps tied behind the neck, halter necks became the official tops of the 90s trends, usually paired with boot-cut jeans.
72/90
Vests As Tops
PACO RABANNE, VALENTINO, BALMAIN
Made from a wide range of materials – from leather to velour and silk, 90s vests were worn as independent pieces rather than as a suit combo and matched with skirts and jeans.
73/90
Oval Sunglasses
OAKLEY, RAYBAN
While fashionable women of the 90s rocked the cat-eye sunglasses style, men went for the oval glass frame – such as that worn by Kurt Cobain at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1993.
The shape was more suitable for the general grunge vibe, and we see the form returning to the latest sunglasses trends of 2022.
74/90
Tube Tops
TOMMY HILFIGER, LOEWE, WOLFORD
Tobe tops were the ultimate fashion and comfort pieces in the 90s, seen as a must-have for any respectable wardrobe girl.
Usually accessorized with an oversize necklace, the strapless tops came in colors and materials.
75/90
Beanies
POLO RALPH, MONCLER, STETSON, GUCCI
While the name sounds strange, beanies are nothing but a knit cap of simple, tapering constructions.
Worn by the movie stars, athletes, and rappers of the 90s, beanies came in various styles, materials, and materials.
76/90
Baseball Caps
NEW ERA, DICKIES, STUSSY
The baseball cap is so ubiquitous in American culture that it could be called America’s national hat.
Made up of a soft cap and stiff visor, it is typically adjustable at the back thanks to velcro, plastic, or elastic band.
But what made the baseball cap so famous was Jay-Z’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt, in 1996, where he appeared on the cover hidden under a fedora and scarf fit for a mafia don.
77/90
Oversized (Bottom & Top)
FUBU, KARL KANI, ROCAWEAR, WU-WEAR
The 90s fashion style also stands out thanks to a unique blend of street, skater, and hip-hop cultures, reflected in a wide array of oversized jackets, cargo shorts, hoodies, and T-shirts, in a style that carries to modern days as the streetwear trend.
78/90
Tie-Dye
VANS, FRUIT OF THE LOOM
In the 90s, everyone had a tie-dye T-shirt, sweater, or jacket.
Tie-dyeing was simple, often done at home, and consisted of folding and twisting the fabric of a garment, binding it with strings or rubber bands, and immersing in various dyes to achieve unique patterns of colors.
79/90
Oversized Knits
JAROL, ICEBERG
Coming in all colors, materials, and styles, 90s perfection knits had one thing in common: oversize.
Worn everywhere, from school to the gym and TV, the knits paired with skinny joggers were ‘the bomb’!
80/90
Cropped Top
TOMMY HILFIGER, BILLABONG, JUICY COUTURE
After Tommy Hilfiger launched an aggressive campaign promoting cropped tops, every stylish girl wanted to wear one and look like Aaliyah.
There were models even for guys who wanted to be like Grand Puba or Puff Daddy.
81/90
School Bags
JANSPORT, TUMI, DAKINE, NIKE
The 90s were also the years when the trend of branded school bags started to rise, with labels like JanSport holding the top spot.
82/90
Unisex Fragrances
CALVIN KLEIN, TOMMY HILFIGER
Androgynous chic was not just a look but a lifestyle.
The unisex fragrances CK1’s unisex fragrance made you think you, too, belonged in the androgynous Calvin Klein ad campaigns.
83/90
Cool Basics
GAP, ABERCROMBIE & FITCH, MARKS & SPENCER
The idea of ‘Cool Basisc’ originates in the 90s, after A&F and Gap launched lines of affordable pocket tees, anoraks, chinos; you name it, they had it, in every color and style you hoped for.
84/90
Short Jeans
GUESS JEANS, VERSACE, MOSCHINO, CALVIN KLEIN
In the 90s, denim shorts (also called ‘jorts,’ a ‘portmanteau of jeans,’ ‘shorts,’ or ‘short jeans’ were worn by both genders.
The most popular style of the 90s fashion was above-knee, with the ends rolled up twice or styled with a high-rise straight fit and long fray hem.
85/90
90s Preppy Style
NAUTICA, BENNETON, POLO, EDDIE BAUER
The uniforms of old private Northeastern colleges and preparatory schools reached peak popularity in the 90s fashion stage, commercially driven by the advent of Polo and Hilfigers’ stylish looks.
With prep jackets, shirts, shorts in bright colors, and equestrian aesthetics, the style was embraced by urban culture and put the brand in the same lane as Polo and Tommy Hilfiger.
86/90
Hip-hop Boots
TIMBERLAND, LUGZ, KARL KANI
Hip-hop boots matched with sagged, baggy jeans and chains – Notorious BIG and Tupac.
There was nothing fresher than sporting a fresh pair of 6-inch Timberlands or Lugs, and you were a pro if you cleaned them with your pencil eraser.
While Timberland was already popular in the 90s, it was Lugz that made the connection to the hip-hop world.
87/90
Skate Sneakers
DC, CSC, AIRWALK, MUSKA
There was a silent battle in the 90s grade schools between Airwalks and Vans’ skate sneakers.
Skaters were fiercely loyal to their brands, as the ultimate supremacy of skate shoes was at stake, a war eventually won by Vans.
88/90
Wild Pants
SKIDS, ZUBAZ
Nowadays known as sweatpants, Wild Pants were introduced to the 90s fashion scene by rappers like Hammer and Vanilla Ice.
Made of soft, breathable fabrics suitable for dancing, these loose-fitting pants came in various colors and prints and had a drawstring closure and taper at the leg.
89/90
Leather Jackets
PELLE PELLE, AVIREX, 8-BALL
The strong influence of the first generation of supermodels turned the classic leather jacket into a fashion trend in the 90s.
From mid-length to waist-cropped jackets in snakeskin prints and preppy tag-on, leather jackets became the uniform of the ’90s style icons such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, and Cindy Crawford.
90/90
Lit Up Sneakers
L.A. LITES
Short-lived but making 90s fashion history, the Lit Up Sneakers were a unique pair of shoes with lights in the heel.
Lites were awesome for stunting around with your friends in middle school but horrible when trying to escape the cops at night.
Conclusion
In this article, we have compiled the 90s fashion best moments, from the short-lived styles to the most-wanted looks that endure today – from cropped cardigans and kitten heels to slip dresses, there’s no shortage of outfit inspo.
The article looks at the emergence of cell phones, television shows, and MTV music channels, which have spawned several styles unique to the 90s fashion trends.
We’re looking at backward baseball caps, bucket hats, knee socks, fanny packs, spaghetti straps, and even the concept of celebrity footwear relevant to the contemporary context.
Thirty years later, the 90s fashion iconic looks continue to resurface, stronger than ever, proving that those early years have shaped the fashion industry for good.
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Now it’s your turn…
Which one of these 90s fashion trends is your favorite and why?
Are there any other 90s fashion trends, brands, celebrities you know and want to add to this list?
Comments below, please!
