Updated from original 90’s brands post of November 2018.
With the holiday shopping season about to kick off it seems the perfect time to once again point out the resurgence of 90’s brands and 90’s fashion.
For the past several years now, browsing through shops such as Urban Outfitters and Zara is like traveling in a time machine and visiting my college days. The clothes are literal copies of what we wore back then. Somewhere in the world a factory that was shut down years ago has been dusted off and reopened. Someone has flipped the “on” switch and the machines are once again happily churning out the exact same products for a new generation.
Not that I’m complaining, far from it. The 90’s actually had some pretty cute stuff (think 90210 and Melrose Place) and it was much easier to wear than 80’s clothes. In fact, when I’m in these stores I sometimes end up buying the items I think I can still get away with at my age. Other items I just look at and for a moment I’m back in the 90’s. I catch myself staring at a top and remembering all the raves/nightclubs I attended wearing a top just like it. A corduroy miniskirt might remind me of the times my friends and I used fake ID’s to buy beer at the Discount Liquor Mart. A pair of ripped or frayed jeans could take me back to the time we went crowd-surfing at a Nirvana concert.
Following is a trip down memory lane. Maybe even a chance to bring some nostalgia back to your own closet. But a note of warning – don’t point at someone of the younger generation and say “I used to have that same exact outfit!” They hate that. 😉😂
90’s Brands & Style that Made a Comeback
- Doc Martens. Just as popular as ever. For a while, I even worked in the office above the floor of their headquarters in the heart of London’s vibrant Camden town. Every employee there sports some of the coolest looking Docs I’ve ever seen. Not just the regular black workman’s high-tops but all colors, pattern and styles. There are even special limited editions such as Beavis & Butthead and New Order. Wear them with jeans or dresses or long skirts just like back in the days when Lalapalooza came to town every summer.
- Baby Tees. Back and just as cute as always. Pair them underneath a dress, overalls or a plaid shirt if, like me, you don’t feel you can get away with wearing them alone these days. If you can wear them alone, that’s great too. It’s all about preference, really. We can explore the “age-appropriate” debate in another post.
- See-through Mesh Tops. Honestly I never imagined that this whimsical fad would come back to haunt us. I remember wearing my black mesh top with just a black bra underneath. These days if I ever revisited the trend, it would be in an opaque blouse with patches of mesh.
- Animal Print anything. Note I said “anything” not “everything.” Use it sparingly and this could look great on any generation. Pair a shirt with solid color pants or jeans or get a pair of those cute leopard print shoe-boots that are popping up everywhere.
- Adidas. Shoes and clothes. So many nights dancing in my cute little Adidas crop top that cut mere inches below my bra line but was spandex so it stayed in place. It’s back in the stores and on the bodies of the 20-somethings along with the regular-sized t-shirt version. While I have no plans to don a crop-top now, I do wear the shoes which are extremely comfy even on my bad feet!
- Wide-legged trousers. They’re back (thank god as I was tired of looking at people in those over-played skinny jeans!) From 90’s brands like JNCO jeans to the more business-appropriate pin-striped look, there’s something for everyone.
- Faux Fur Jackets. All shapes, sizes and colors – I feel so sneaky like I cheated the system here because I still have one of mine from the 90’s and call it “vintage” now. BUT, just when I thought I had saved money, I went out and bought more…
- Black Floral Dresses. I love this look because you can be feminine without being too feminine if that makes sense. There are so many different styles that there’s bound to be a style that works for every type of person. They look great paired with jean or leather jackets, black tights, boots or any combination.
- Maxi & Midi Skirts. Talk about 90210. I think this was a staple all throughout the 90’s for Shannen Doherty, Jennie McCarthy and Josie Bisset. These skirts make a great staple now as well and they are comfortable, versatile and can be worn by women who want to look like they grew up but didn’t grow old. Pair this beautiful satin one with strappy sandals or boots for a great look.
- Oversized Jean Jackets. This one I feel was a carry-over from the 80’s into the early 90’s but yes they were around then and they are back now. They can be worn at any age and let’s face it, the larger version is much more comfortable than its fitted counterpart.
- Overalls. Just as back in the day, I wear mine now constantly. I would wear them every day if I could get away with it. They are so comfortable. They also hide all of the parts of me that have, lets say, “shifted” since the 90’s. Pair them with baby tees, tank tops, long sleeves, sweaters underneath. Throw a cardigan or a plaid shirt or leather jacket over them. Wear them with boots in the winter or flip flops in the summer. You can’t really go wrong.
- Black Biker Jackets. A classic. Do these ever truly go out of style? Pair them with mini-dresses or maxi-skirts or jeans. They keep you warm and always look great. I’ve seen them on people of all ages.
