1. Checked skirts
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Checked mini skirts were peak fashion back in the 90s, and even more so thanks to movies like Clueless or basically any high school drama where the protagonists would be wearing one. All we wanted to do was copy the style and pair with knee-length white socks!
2. Shirts that showed the belly
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There was a weird way of wearing shirts in the 90s, where you’d only button it at the chest and have your entire midriff exposed – because ‘fashion’. Showing your belly was very big in the 90s, and we weren’t going to let shirts stop us from showing off what we got!
3. Simple slip dresses
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Slip dresses were the best because they were so easy – they literally just slipped on, no messing with buttons or zips, and they hung just right where you wanted them to hang. Although originally considered underwear, slip dresses soon became big in the 90s for night outs!
4. Animal prints
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Particularly leopard print, tiger stripes and crocodile skin – and the best thing about it was the prints came in every colour imaginable! So if you wanted bright pink leopard skin, you could find it. Animal print was big no matter the garment: skirts, shoes, jackets, shirts… you name it.
5. Sheer fabrics
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Because showing off your entire stomach with those one-button shirts wasn’t enough, sheer fabrics went one better in you being able to reveal more skin. Sheer fabric was a huge hit with celebrities on the red carpet back in the 90s, to0, which meant we all wanted to copy it.
6. All that velvet
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Velvet was the era-defining material of the 90s – whether it was sleek or crushed velvet, we all wanted at least one velvet dress in our wardrobe. It was a favourite with celebrities, too, who showed off slinky figure-hugging velvet dresses for their latest movie premieres.
7. Chain Mail Mesh Tops
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Chain mail was one of those really obscure fashion trends that became big in the 90s, and mostly thanks to fashion designers and celebs like Liz Hurley. Chain mail mesh tops then became a big thing on the high street, and most us had at least one neon mesh top in our drawer, didn’t we?
8. As much branded Sportswear as we could afford
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Seriously, it wasn’t worth leaving the house if we weren’t covered head to toe in branded Sportswear. Adidas trainers, Nike tracksuit, sporty baseball cap – and then another sporty outer jacket for good measure. Those tracksuits were really a big ‘what were we thinking’ 90s moment.
9. Corset tops
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Once upon a time, women were being forced to wear figure-enhancing corsets (because who needs to breathe, right?) and then the 90s brought them back with women actually voluntarily wanting to wear them. Understandably, they did look good – and a corset top was guaranteed to make any outfit.
10. The ‘hippy’ look
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The 90s very much tried to bring back the Woodstock hippy look from the 60s – and for good reason, because it looks awesome. How many of us tried to pair a floaty layered skirt with a cool hat, sunglasses and a beaded cardigan? It was difficult to create that casual ‘I don’t care’ hippy look when it took so much effort!
11. Gingham leggings
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Leggings are still very much a thing today for a comfy outfit, but back in the 90s, they were a big deal when amazing prints were unleashed – particularly bright gingham patterns! The leggings craze started in the 80s but luckily it carried on into the 90s for us to enjoy.
12. Denim shorts
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There was absolutely nothing that was going to stop us wearing denim shorts in the 90s. Winter? It’s fine, just pair with thick black tights and boots. Summer? The obvious choice for the beach, and everything in between. Denim shorts were just so adaptable – and then they started to get a lot shorter. And shorter…
13. The tiniest little handbags
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During a time before clutch bags had become more officially established, we had those sort of weird handbags in the 90s that were very small, with very thin handles – and even celebs were rocking them on the red carpet. They were more akin to a coin purse, usually made out of silk or satin.
14. Heels with straps that went up your leg
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Buying a pair of heels was no fun if you didn’t buy the ones that took about an hour to get on, because you had to wrap the entirety of the straps around your whole calf. Strappy sandal heels were definitely in, and taking them off after a long night out was just as annoying as doing them up in the first place.
15. Bucket hats
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The 90s were definitely very big on their hats, and one in particular was the bucket hat. It was a go-to item for summer at the beach and on holiday, but it also became a fashion accessory, especially if you went with something a little different like a knitted or crocheted hat!
16. Blazers – particularly leather
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Leather blazers and overcoats were such an in-demand look in the 90s, and mainly because of The Matrix and how we all wanted to try and re-enact Neo’s bullet-dodging scene. Whether you liked leather or not, blazers in general were a go-to item for a ‘smart casual’ night out or the quintessential ‘jeans and a nice top’.
17. Pedal pushers
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That half way point between ‘not quite a pant, not quite a short’ pedal pushers were a must-wear item to pair with heels or even trainers. They were really popular in the high street girly stores, in a variety of colours, and with celebrities wearing them all the time, too, it just felt right.
18. Halterneck tops
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Ah yes, the battle of how to not have your bra strap showing or having to risk a strapless bra which was just uncomfortable, let’s be honest. Halterneck tops were a big thing in the 90s, especially if they were halterneck handkerchief styles that showed off your stomach, too! And they were perfect for putting over a bikini top for the pool.
19. Combat trousers
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Combat trousers were just so darn comfortable, and they were so trendy (at the time) especially in khaki. Your wardrobe wasn’t complete if you didn’t have at least one pair of green combat trousers. The best thing about them was dressing them up by pairing with a more fancy crop top!
20. Random waistcoats
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Seriously, was there ever a time we didn’t think a waistcoat was a good finishing touch to an outfit? It didn’t matter if we were pairing it with casual jeans or a blouse for a night out, there was just something about a waistcoat. Usually too small and too tight, but there we go.
