The ‘90s Called. Their Fashion is Back.
As I became cognizant of the ever-revolving door of fashion trends somewhere around middle school, I remember trying to explain what was “in” to my Gen X mother. With each new proclamation of what was stylish, she would simply smile and say, “straight from the ‘60s,” or “how very ‘80s.” At thirteen, I had very little frame of reference for this commentary and shrugged it off with an eye roll, I’m sure.
Just one more thing that, in hindsight, my very cool mother was right about. What is current and popular in fashion is constantly recycling, coming and going from style, and today we are basking in a spectacular homage to the ‘90s. We’re talking bucket hats, biker shorts, claw clips, and cargo pants galore.
90s fashion was characteristically casual. Pieces were chosen to contribute to a slouchy but structured look, giving off a relaxed aura while still lending shape to the body exuding it. It saw a rise in the popularity of simpler silhouettes and came to lean toward minimalist styles, a sharp departure from the shoulder pads and neon of the ‘80s. I love some of the 90s fashion hallmarks; in fact, I try to channel Monica Geller while choosing outfits as often as possible.
So without further ado, here are a few of the ‘90’s trends and styles that are all the rage in 2023:
Straight-leg jeans.
Getty Images
A relaxed straight line was the go-to for denim in the ‘90s. Baggy jeans rose to popularity in the mid-90s, courtesy of the rise of hip hop, and cargo pants had their place, too. A high-rise, straight-leg mom jean fit the bill of cool and casual. Current denim donners have gravitated toward these styles, casting skinny jeans back into the shadows for now.
The slip dress.
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With a simple, minimalistic silhouette, the slip dress checked all the ‘90s’ boxes and is reappearing as we know it. Slip dresses were styled and featured in Vogue’s prediction of 2024 runway trends. While Jennifer Aniston styled hers casually here—featuring the quintessential ‘90s white baby tee beneath—a slip dress is versatile enough for almost any occasion.
The graphic tee.
Clueless (1995)
The graphic tee is almost always in style to some degree, but it was truly a staple piece back in the day. It’s what Tai wears in Clueless to demonstrate that a total makeover has occurred. It was the most fashionable street style known to the ‘90s, and it’s an easy thrift store find today!
Biker shorts.
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They’re functional, they’re fashionable, and funnily enough most of us wouldn’t have been caught dead in them five years ago. Biker shorts are back. This iconic Princess Diana outfit is so simple to recreate and comfortable to wear out and about, making it a great example of the casual ‘90s street style we see so many adopting today.
We have to keep in mind, too, that most of the trademark styles of the ‘90s were recycled themselves! Many of the styles above were influenced and inspired by fashions of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Naturally, there are elements of the 90’s sense of fashion that I think we should leave there— the Kate Moss and Gia Carangi-inspired “heroin chic” style comes to mind— and it’s always more important to wear what aligns with your own taste than it is to conform to the cyclical “in’s” of style. It can be fun to adopt certain staple pieces of an era, but the pressure to keep up with what’s “in” or “out” can become overwhelming and obnoxious in the age of social media. Fashion should be fun! Don’t let it become another chore in your life.
But if you find that incorporating some 90s staples into your closet simplifies your style in a way that you enjoy, lean into it! The ‘90s are so back, baby.
Strike Out.
Chattanooga
Writer: Sarah Singleton
Blog Editor: Jane Dodge
