Trends that define 90’s

Introduction:

The 90's was indeed an exciting time for fashion. According to Sarah Byrd, a New York University and Fashion Institute of Technology lecturer and fashion historian, this can be traced back to technological advancements made in the decade, which made fashion more accessible to everyone. From the burgeoning internet to the Style Network, a cable channel that broadcast style- and beauty-centric shows, information about fashion as well as style inspiration suddenly became widely available to anyone with a TV, or, in the later '90s, a home computer. In short, styles popular in the '90s — just like fashion trends of any decade — reflected both old and new ideas. Some styles spotted often in the 1990s, like mod sunglasses and plaid outfits, were reminiscent of the '60s. Other styles, like patent leather and nylon clothes, symbolized a futuristic view and a look toward what people thought the year 2000, the new millennium, would bring.

Looking back, the '90s feels like a golden era—the Game Boy! The Spice Girls! The Parent Trap! The last cell phone-less generation.Most of all when it comes to the 90's,. Scrunchies, acid-wash jeans, tube tops, and capri pants reigned supreme, along with crimped hair, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen,

and punk rock. It was a glorious time, made only more glorious by the A-listers and supermodels who blithely wore their '90s finest on the red carpet and out and about, secure in the knowledge that they would never have to look back on these iconic looks and feel anything other than pride.

Unfortunately, in the year of our Lord 2022, some of these looks...hit a little different. But, on the other hand, these looks prove  how much the '90s influenced some of today's most in-demand trends. So sit back, go through the trends and instead of wondering how 1990 can be as far away from the present day, enjoy these looks, which represent the very best (if "best" is the right word here) of '90s fashion.

This was such an interesting era where the older style of corsets, flashy fabrics and sequins were taking a backseat and comfort was taking the full charge. Designers and fashion labels largely focused on outfits which catered to the comfort and sleekness of the one who will don it. Thanks to the fashion icons of the decade who from the runway to the streets made the style way more palatable and acceptable. From the classic Pepsi ad by Cindy Crawford to the iconic Friends sitcom characters styling, everything in the 90’s was new, different and moreover the designing was being done, keeping in mind the chicness that it will exuberate along with the comfort. Below are some of the references of the icons of the 90’s who made their looks legendary and carried it so efficiently that still in 2022, it makes us feel starstruck. One can also get some cues so as to revamp the look back from the days and make it relevant.

Impact of the 90’s fashion:

90’s witnessed a trend when designer brands like Versace, Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci, Guess became more popular and well-known as it witnessed a rise of supermodels like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and the media also became more fashion focused.Byrd mentioned that prior to the mid- and late-1990s, high fashion and luxury name brands were mostly reserved for an elite group of people: celebrities and designers. But with more access to media and TV shows about celebrity style, everyday people started to feel that they could participate in the once-exclusive world of fashion."In the late '90s, you had this widespread emergence of TV shows that talked about style," Byrd said. "For example, with shows like 'Fashion Police' on E!celebrities [became] not just talented, but they also became fashion icons."

Style icons Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Jennifer Aniston all rocked the chic look throughout the 1990s.

Byrd says that the overall technical advancements of the '90s as well as the impending new millennium influenced people to dress in what seemed like futuristic styles at the time.It was clearly visible that in the '90s, there was some ingenuity with how people were looking at design, in large-part because of technology and the feeling that we were entering a new era. 

Leather jackets weren't a style that originated in the '90s, but, as usually happens, The story of fashion is also the story of revising design — everything makes a comeback. From the very beginning of time, there's only been so many ways people can approach how to put together fabric into something that goes on the body. It’s evident that revisiting past designs and familiar silhouettes throughout the history of fashion has been a common trend and which will never die. 

Acid-wash jeans may not have been everyone's cup of tea, but they were certainly a fashion statement. The style was spotted on runways in 2019, as pointed out by Who What Wear.

 Some styles popular in the 1990s were largely inspired by elements from the past.Even though there was some ingenuity with how people were looking at design, probably in large part because of changes in technology, there were some styles [of the '90s] that were reflective of the '60s.

Throughout the decade, everyone from The Spice Girls to Britney Spears and Tori Spelling was photographed wearing platform shoes.

From Julia Roberts' dotted dress in "Pretty Woman" to lesser-known fashion moments, like this Jerry Seinfeld look, polka dots were a defining print of the '90s and are still worn often.Seinfeld's style, showcased in the sitcom "Seinfeld," also became iconic for the decade.

The loud floral print may be less popular today, but bold printed blazers could be a fun statement to revive.

Cardigans were not only worn as cover-ups thrown on top of tops or blouses, but many stars wore buttoned-up cardigans on their own. Today, stars like Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Katie Holmes have all rocked the look.

Though not everyone reminisces on fashion trends from the '90s in a positive light, the leopard- and animal-print look is one that has aged well.

One-piece fashions, like rompers and jumpsuits, have become a staple in many wardrobes today, so overalls reminiscent of the '90s would fit right in.

Headbands have come back in style numerous times over the years, including in the early 2000s with the popularity of teen drama "Gossip Girl," on which the main characters wore them almost constantly. However, in the '90s, the trend truly dominated.

Though these exact styles from the Spice Girls may not be on-trend today, athleisure has made a major resurgence, proving that fashion constantly revisits itself.

Like so many '90s trends, halter necks are suddenly everywhere, but there’s no harm really  in re-embracing this fancy-meet--sexy style. It's best to keep any halter look simple, so take a note from this fabulous outfit and skip the necklace, adding a pair of drop earrings and strappy shoes instead. As Princess Diana was the silent ruler of the 90’s fashion, whatever she wore made undoubtedly a style statement which is revived or carried in any possible ways till today.

90’s trend that came back in fashion:

There was nothing like an easy cardigan to throw over your shoulders in case your spaghetti straps or slip dress got a little chilly. The updated version looks chic when worn as a top. You can even make it cropped and pair it with loose-fitted jeans for a casual look like Kendall Jenner here still sporting a 90’s dashing look.

Remember Kate Moss’s iconic sheer dress from 1993? It will go down in fashion history, but it’s not retiring anytime soon. Brandon Maxwell brought back the legendary look for his Fall 2020 during NYFW in February.

Those ’90s school-girl knee socks were another look made famous by Cher in Clueless. High-fashion brands like Prada created an updated version of the trend that is a whole ’fit in itself.

If you didn’t have the chance to explore your inner punk during the ’90s, get excited because chunky leather and chain chokers are back thanks to the Christian Siriano Fall 2020 collection. Bonus if you add a teeny eyeliner heart on your cheek.

In the ’90s it’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who didn’t own these fresh slides, and now you wish you didn’t get rid of yours. They’ve been spotted on models from Gigi Hadid to Suki Waterhouse (pictured here),and even Gucci is getting in on the sporty style.

Nowadays these clips are used to hold your hair up when you don’t want to get it wet in the shower, but in the ’90s, these babies were the ultimate chic hair accessory. (Jennifer Aniston’s character Rachel Greene, in Friends, was an avid fan.) They were spotted in the wild at Alexander Wang’s Fall/Winter ’18 show.

Spandex bike shorts were perfect to wear in or out of the gym, and even figures like Madonna and Princess Diana were fans of the style. They’ve recently been welcomed back into the fashion fold thanks to Kim Kardashian and Off-White—Naomi Campbell modeled a white pair at the brand’s Spring 2018 runway show.

Cargo pants had so many extra pockets (usually secured with velcro) that you didn’t even need a purse. Bonus points if yours were camouflage. Bella Hadid rocked a pair with a cropped jacket while out in New York City, and she really made a case for the style’s comeback.

Mom jeans are back and better than ever. The high-waisted baggy style has been popularized again thanks to street-style stars, models like Gigi Hadid (pictured here),and clothing brands. Despite all the times the pants have been the butt of fashion jokes, the silhouette is actually flattering as hell.

Fanny packs bore the brunt of many fashion jokes, but in the ’90s they were revered as a brilliant way to carry all your sh*t hands- free. Today, these genius belt bags are back with a vengeance, spotted on everyone from style bloggers to Kendall Jenner.

Conclusion:

Fashion trends define the mood of the times, and 90’s came out of the conservative shackles of the previous decades and vibrated more defined and daring looks with outfits, it’s cuts and fabrics. More of fashion engineering intervened into the styling marking it to be the most definitive part of the 20th century. As style never dies, it comes in every form at any possible time and icons sport the look with utter style and grace. As the fashion icons of today also never miss the chance to sport a forgotten 90’s trend casually and make subtle efforts to make them back in the fashion scene. 

References:

https://barsofbeauty.in/products/solid-graphic-crop-top_18

https://barsofbeauty.in/products/faux-leather-crop-jacket_84

https://barsofbeauty.in/products/solid-mid-length-bodycon-dress_233