The Comeback of ‘90s Fashion

The ‘90s is one of the most memorable decades for fashion. From grunge to preppy to street style, the ‘90s had numerous fashion subcultures. The resurgence of these trends has resulted in a new clothing item making a comeback almost every month. Many people wear ‘90s inspired clothing in their everyday lives without even knowing it. From ‘90s TV shows to music videos, we have picked up countless fashion trends from the ‘90s, and it looks like this era will continue to influence the fashion of at least another decade.

Mom Jeans: From Urban Outfitters to your local thrift store, mom jeans can be found almost everywhere. Just a few years ago, skinny jeans were everyone’s go-to denim option. In 2003, “Saturday Night Live” popularized the phrase “mom jeans” in one of their sketches. They emphasized in particular the high zipper and the fact that only older women wore them. From that sketch alone, mom jeans were deemed uncool. But for the past few years, teenagers have transitioned to the more comfortable, baggier option of denim jeans. They come high-waisted and in several different washes of denim. Famous models, including Bella and Gigi Hadid, often include mom jeans in their “model off-duty” looks on the streets of Los Angeles. Mom jeans are definitely cool and are not just for moms to wear.

Fanny Packs: Everyone has seen that one picture of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson with a chain, black turtleneck, and most importantly, iconic fanny pack. This picture has become somewhat of a meme now, and many were quick to call the fanny pack “ugly.” First seen in 1954 in “Sports Illustrated,” fanny packs were advertised as a way for athletes to carry items around their waists to eliminate the stress of a backpack. They became a popular fashion item in the ‘90s, but after that, they were only worn ironically. Now fanny packs are an essential for any concert or music festival because they allow you to dance your heart out without worrying about your belongings. This comeback has caught the eye of several big name brands such as Adidas, Patagonia, and Gucci. They come in several different shapes and colors and can be worn around the waist or over the shoulder. The versatility and function of this bag are what make this item a fashion statement.

Plaid: Both Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) in “Clueless” (1995) and Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) from “Friends” (1994-2004) have worn their fair share of plaid-patterned clothing. Plaid can be printed on many different clothing items from button-up shirts to mini skirts. The popularity of this pattern is largely due to the fact that it matches with so many different styles of clothing. Red plaid pants could be paired with a grunge look, while a plaid mini skirt could be used in a “soft” look. Fall, a season that is commonly associated with plaid, is a great time to start incorporating it into your wardrobe.

Scrunchies: Commonly associated with “VSCO” girls, scrunchies are no doubt the most popular hair accessory at the moment. Walking down the hallways of any high school, you’ll find scrunchies on high ponytails or around wrists. Popularized in the ‘80s, scrunchies remained trendy into the next decade, fitting both casual and colorful looks. However, after the ‘90s, scrunchies disappeared for a while and were replaced by hair elastics—until now. Scrunchies are popular again due to their convenience. Scrunchies allow you to put your hair up into a high ponytail without pulling it. Notably, in the hit movie “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” (2018), Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) gives her scrunchie to Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) to show the people at their school they’re dating. From movies to Tik Toks, it’s clear that scrunchies have found their way back into pop culture.

Bucket Hats: The summer of 2019 marked the return of the bucket hat. These funky-looking hats come in many patterns and can be found at any price point. Not only have they reached the wardrobes of everyday people, but they have also been seen on the rich and famous. Just last month, black bucket hats were seen paired with all different kinds of outfits on the runways of Paris Fashion Week at the Dior show. Designer Nina Ricci put her own personal twist on the trend and put models on the runway in actual buckets that were made into hats. Kendall Jenner was also seen with a black bucket hat in late February 2019 on the streets of New York City, which conveniently blocked her face from paparazzi. So, if you’re ever having a bad hair day, a bucket hat is a fashionable and easy way to cover that up.

Alongside the trends mentioned, there are several other ‘90s fashion items that have crept into this decade. A large part of this comeback is due to the ‘90s music, films, and television shows that are relevant to this day. As the last defining decade of the 20th century, the ‘90s make people nostalgic and hopeful for a revival. Go to your local thrift store, scavenge through your parent’s old clothes, and immerse yourself in the clothing of the ‘90s.