The 1990s were described as a return to simple fashions, a stark contrast to the flashier and more elaborate trends of the 1980s. However, this era also saw a rise in some rather Weird Fashion Trends. Body piercings once limited mainly to earlobes, became widely adopted, with navel rings and eyebrow studs gaining popularity. Tattoos, previously associated with counterculture groups, also entered the mainstream. Even more extreme forms of body modification, like branding, saw limited use.
In the early 1990s, many styles from the late 1980s remained extremely fashionable among women of all ages. However, the rise of alternative and grunge music brought the basic unclean grunge style into the mainstream by 1994. In addition, fashion's non-conformist ethos increased the relaxed chic style, which consisted of T-shirts, jeans, hoodies, and sneakers. This trend continued to be popular into the decade 2000. Also, fashion trends of the decade re-used styles from earlier decades, including the 1960s, 1950s, and 1970s.
Because of the increased accessibility of the Internet and satellite television outside of the United States, plus the reduction in import tariffs under NAFTA, fashion became more global and uniform during the latter half of 1990 and into the early 2000s.
The '80s were all about fitness wear and shoulder pads; the fashion of the '90s changed into something completely different. But, no matter your style, there was a trend that you could follow in the 1990s. Did you love the grunge lifestyle, or were you more into fanny packs and overalls? Check out the top 90s fashion trends below. It's good to know that many of these styles are returning to fashion now! So, please look at our collection to recall what trends you wore in the 1990s. Now go through your closet and pull out your old tie-dye shirts, and you'll look great, just like you did in the past.
Grunge Fashion
If you're looking for one of the most trendy '90s fashion trends, take a grunge look. Artists popularized it like Kurt Cobain; the grunge look typically included a variety of baggy or semi-baggy pants, flannel, or an oversized cardigan. Of course, there was a wide variety of styles like the one you see in the photo above that shows Matt Dillon in the film Singles, in which he is sporting his unique grunge style.
Bib-and-brace Overalls
If you don't have an overall, did you have a good time in the 90s? Both genders wore the general look, whether short or long-legged. It wasn't necessary to be made from jeans either; they could equally be a khaki or some other shade. We have included different models, such as Jennifer Aniston in Friends, Will Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and the group TLC.
Bucket Hat
A bucket-style hat's popularity can be somewhat unsure -- does it make a statement on any person? In addition, those hats featuring flowers of considerable size were also trendy, though not as popular with women and men as bucket-style hats. Below, you can spot Tyra Banks, LL Cool J, and Britney Spears sporting an incarnation similar to the bucket hat.
Thigh Highs & Knee Socks
While you may associate the knee or thigh-high sock as something that beautiful women would have, as we see in the picture above, this was not only for straight-laced. Although Dionne, as well as Cher in Clueless, were both wearing variants of these socks, the women who were in The Craft did as well, but they weren't as elegant Cher as well as Dionne. They were almost always coupled with skirts, and when you had shiny brogues to match them, they were a fashion statement.
Waist Bag
Everybody had waist bags or fanny packs during the 90s. Teens, children, grown-ups. You name it; everyone was getting into the fanny pack trend. However, as you observe in the image above, despite being called fanny bags, no person wore them on their bottoms! Although the picture above with Jason Alexander in Seinfeld, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Jason Bateman would have you think that guys were more into the fanny pack, they were equally loved by women, particularly in the case of an excursion at Disney World or something!
Top 5 Most Attractive And Expensive Ladies Bags
Embellished Jeans / Flared / Ultra Baggy
Denim has been a fashion staple, and the 90s were no exception. However, the trends of the 1990s were not exactly a good idea, with three particular kinds of jeans becoming extremely well-liked: the flared design and the ultra baggy version, and jeans that were decorated with beads, fabric, or anything else that was flashy. In the image above, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and Jamie Lynne Spears demonstrate the ultra-flared jeans and the embellished style. The awful 90s-era jean style we wish never to see to the forefront is that middle image above. It's the uber baggy style many guys wore and their butts dangling. Why was this trend so popular? It looked terrible!
Noodle Strap
Every female celeb during the 1990s had a noodle strap. However, they weren't the only ones wearing noodle straps - "regular" people were also in the trend. Straps with spaghetti were worn on dresses and tank tops, and even though the strap wasn't able to conceal a bra strap, it wasn't a problem since most women would wear underwear regardless. The photo above shows Sandra Bullock sporting the tank top version. Also, Gwyneth Paltrow is getting a little more formal and then a more elegant version of Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham.
Cargo Trousers
Imagine if you needed pockets with plenty of storage in your pants during the '90s? No worries, you could find cargo trousers to help you. They were big, a bit large, and with plenty of empty pockets mentioned above that were only meant to look good and fashionable; cargo trousers were incredibly well-liked. Destiny's Child wore them, along with Aaliyah Jennifer Aniston, and Brad Pitt. The cargos were inexplicably recognizable!
Velvet Fashion
If looking a bit more sensual was your style during the 90s, you could have been influenced by another fashion called velvet. Most often reserved for more formal occasions, rather than for everyday wear fashion, velvet made quite an impact in the 1990s. Drew Barrymore was known to wear one or two velvet blazers as well. Sarah Michelle Gellar wore more than one velvet gown for several awards shows. Winona Ryder even jumped the velvet fashion with her purple version.
Skorts
Skorts were indeed more well-liked by the younger generations. Unfortunately, we couldn't locate any images of celebrities wearing them out and around. However, they were a massive hit by the high youth crowd of the 1990s. In the back, shorts but a skirt at the front. Skorts made you feel pretty but also athletic.
90s Baby Tee
If you wore the low-rise flared jeans of the 1990s, you likely put them on with a baby-sized t-shirt. But, of course, it was probably only the case when you felt comfortable showing your stomach. A toned stomach was certainly in fashion during this time; however, particular baby t-shirts were slightly longer, so you did not have to think about it as significantly. In the photo below, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Naomi Campbell, and Liv Tyler are all wearing a variant of the baby t-shirt.
90s Chain Wallet
If you were one of the guys who wore baggy pants during the 90s, you probably also carried chains in your wallet. In contrast, the chain wallet was helpful if you utilized the wallet, but a large portion of the attraction was in the appearance of the chains that hung across your legs. Most likely reserved for the less "alternative" types out there, the look of a wallet with a chain was so 90s-y.
Sunglasses by Oakley
During the plastic Oakley sunglasses craze of the early 90s, Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman were just two of the many players who wore the sunglasses. As well as this, Justin Timberlake was known to sport Oakleys from time to time.
Gothic Fashion
If you favored preppy styles over the grunge look or vice versa, you might have been part of the goth subculture. The goth style, focusing on dark clothing and makeup, gained worldwide notice in the late 1990s.
Tie-dye in 90s fashion
Although tie-dye has made a comeback in the modern day, it's not quite the same as in the '90s. These days, tie-dye has evolved into a much less lavish, subdued style. So although Sean O'Neal wears some tie-dye on Clarissa Explains It All, he also has a fanny pack on! And, of course, Drew Barrymore is also present, a true style icon of the '90s.