The 90s went back and forth in terms of trends for the girls. One moment girls were walking copies of Alicia Silverstone in Clueless, the next they were honouring Nirvana and Pearl Jam by incorporating more of grundge look. The rising popularity of hip hop music from the 1980s also lead to some interesting style choices (take a look at the Fresh Prince of Bel Air).
After feeling quite nostalgic for my childhood these last several days (watching too much Sabrina), I figured I’d bring back Top Ten Tuesday’s by compromising a list of fashion trends that were considered to be “the bomb” in the late twentieth century. (Side note: am I the only one who still uses “the bomb” in 2012?)
The trends below are listed in no particular order:
1. Platform Shoes
The Spice Girls can be held responsible for making these things go viral. Please tell me I was not the only one who owned glittery platform flip flops? Please?
2. Overalls
Don’t try to deny it. I bet you still have a pair of overalls hiding somewhere deep in your closet. And they’re covered in shame along with your light-wash high-waisted jeans.
This trend even tried to make its way back in recent years: Ralph Lauren had one of his models walk down the runway in overalls in his Spring 2010 show. I’ve also scrolled by photos of girls wearing overalls on LookBook. However, I don’t think I’ll be donning a pair anytime soon – even if I kind of want to relive my childhood.
3. Crop Tops
Remember “belly button shirts”? These shirts were probably associated with the rise in the popularity among girls wanting to get a navel piercing as well (and possibly tramp stamps).
4. Knee-high (or higher) socks.
Pull those socks all the way up if you want to be considered fashionable among high school cliques in this decade.
5. Denim Skirts
Bonus points if your skirt had some kind of embellishments. Does anyone still wear denim skirts? Or are they done forever?
6. Plaid
Not like the flannel plaid button-ups that lumberjacks and way too many 14-year-olds wear, but plaid tweed skirts and blazers. This was just part of the preppy-look that was making its rounds thanks to Cher (also think babydoll dresses, cardigans and headbands).
7. Nylon sports gear
They were bright, colourful, and the synthetic material make a crinkly sound while you danced along to your daily aerobics VHS. They were also reasonably priced by your favourite sporting companies.
8. Leggings
Not the plain black leggings you see girls in 2012 walking around in. No – the rule for the 90s leggings were the brighter the better. Think prints if you really want. I know I sported some pretty awesome floral leggings. Way too often now that I think about it (I was six…)
9. Skorts
Oh good Lord; it’s the child of the skirt and the shorts. Unless you’re playing tennis (even then, just wear shorts) – please take them off.
10. Hair Scrunchies
What would a 90s trends post be without the infamous hair scrunchie? Those beauties probably spent more time on your wrist rather than in that high pony tail of yours. You probably still have the baby blue scrunchie you borrowed from your BFF in the third grade hiding in your closet.
Honourable Mentions
- Chokers
- Denim jackets (denim anything really – acid wash was a big one)
- High pig tails
- Slap bracelet
- Mood rings
- Toe rings
- Fanny packs
- Oversized t-shirts and sweaters
- Union Jack plastered on anything (it was the “Cool Britannia” movement…)
I can go on for days.
Sometimes I wish I was a high school teenager in the 90s. But then I think about how embarrassed I would be to look through my own yearbooks.
Clarissa *Wears* It All
Did you have a favourite trend from the 90s? Wish some of these were considered trendy again? Comment below!
