The ’90s are making a comeback. Easy, casual and trendy, women are embracing ’90s fashion by mixing classic and modern looks to create unique everyday styles. From dresses, pants and tops to accessories, shoes and hairstyles, there are many ’90s outfits worth wearing this year. The trick to rocking the style is learning how to dress with complementary pieces without overdoing the nostalgia. If you’re finding it challenging to shop for cute clothes or pull off the attire of the decade, we can help you find the right look and show you how to wear it today. For new ideas and inspiration, check out our guide to all the best ’90s fashion trends to explore right now. Whether you’re trying to figure out what to wear to a 90’s theme party or just want to incorporate cool 1990s style clothing into your wardrobe, you’ll love these inspired outfit ideas for women!
Fashion in the 1990s
Like history, fashion has a tendency to repeat itself, recycling old styles with new twists to create the latest trends. Recently, ‘90s fashion trends like chokers, crop tops, platforms, and mini backpacks are coming back. Influential celebrities like Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa have recently been spotted wearing ‘90s inspired outfits.
Colorful crop tops, matching pants and square heels accessorized with small rectangular sunglasses have inspired modern fashion. To make these styles effortlessly cool, we’ve compiled a list to of the most popular ‘90s style trends worth wearing today.
90s Outfits
This decade marked a distinct era in women’s fashion that was heavily influenced by artists such as Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, and No Doubt. These styles ranged from preppy to bohemian and urban to grunge, and were based on a rebellious approach to fashion. Using different materials, unique print patterns, and dazzling metallics, ‘90s outfits offered bold looks that fit perfectly with the cultural aesthetic of the times.
Flared Jeans
While flared jeans are often associated with the hippy movement of the 1970s, this wide-leg denim trend also dominated the 1990s. Before skinny jeans became the style, oversized and loose pants were popular.
To make this look trendy while maintaining a ‘90s vibe, pair flared jeans with a black satin cowl neck tank top with matching square toe heels. Complement your jeans with a cotton rib tank top and accessorize the outfit by adding rectangular sunglasses, a choker necklace and a mini bag.
Chokers
Chokers were the quintessential ‘90s accessory. Popularized by celebrities like Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani and eventually adopted by Hollywood’s “it” girls, choker necklaces provided an edgy yet sexy style. Tight around the neck, these collar-like necklaces boasted various designs. Some were made of stretchy fabric and came with charms, beads, and jewels.
Chokers are versatile and suitable for any occasion. If you are seeking a work appropriate choker, opt for a dainty gold choker. If you are attending an outdoor music festival and want to achieve a grunge look, choose a leather choker adorned with a crystal of your choice.
Hoop Earrings
While hoop earrings were trending in the ‘90s, this chic accessory is timeless. However, women who have never worn hoops may be intimidated to try them out. These ring-shaped earrings come in different styles and sizes, and which type of hoop you choose will determine the amount of attitude, flair, and cuteness you’re going for. From huggies to large hoops , this jewelry works with most ‘90s casual outfits.
If you find yourself gravitating to an edgy and sexy style, put on a pair of big gold hoops. However, if you prefer to accessorize your style with a hoop that is not gold, you can pair your outfit with cool silver or tortoise shell hoop earrings.
Crop Tops
Women in the ‘90s had an affinity for wearing crop tops with low-rise pants. These cute revealing midriff baring tops come in various styles, including the cropped halter, short sleeve, and cami. On-trend again, you can wear this ‘90s style with low or high rise jeans.
If you’d like to add flair, you can pair a plain crop top with a patterned maxi skirt with an alluring thigh slit and platform sandals. A favorite of celebrities and street style fashionistas, crop tops are an essential fashion piece for the summer.
Overalls
Overalls offer an effortless and casual style that can be worn in a variety of ways. Worn by men and women, these sleeveless denim jumpsuits were considered a wardrobe staple in the decade. Comfortable and cool, there were many ‘90s overall outfits to try, and it all depended on the fashion statement you wanted to make.
For a classic look, wear a fitted white T-shirt underneath denim overalls with a flannel tied around your waist and low top Converse sneakers. As for accessories, you can add a quartz crystal choker. For an edgy outfit, wear black linen overalls paired with a matching turtleneck and Doc Marten combat boots. To accessorize the look, get a mini leather backpack.
Scrunchies
Scrunchies were all the rage throughout the ‘90s. As a favorite fashion item that could complete any cute casual outfit with a pop of color, scrunchies were a major women’s hair accessory. From bright colors to satin fabric to velvet styles, hair scrunchies come in many different designs.
To modernize this accessory, you can choose scrunchies in neutral muted hues like white, gray, black, beige, brown, navy blue, emerald and maroon. You can also experiment with different materials for your scrunchie such as silk, velvet and sequin.
Once you have selected a style that complements your outfit, you can add a scrunchie to your hair by styling it in a messy ponytail or high bun.
90s Shoes
Platforms, sneakers, combat boots, and square toe heels were popular fashion trends in ‘90s shoes. Simple and bulky footwear styles were fashionable, making Doc Martens boots, Steve Madden slip-on platforms, Birkenstocks , and FILA or Adidas tennis shoes a common look.
If you are going for a grunge vibe, you can wear a long black maxi dress, with a leather jacket and Doc Marten combat boots. You can also switch out the military boots, and find boots with a huge platform to add to that edgy style.
If your outfit consists of a colorful matching crop top and skirt or a lavender cowl neck slip dress, wear platforms or strappy heels.
For a fashionable urban style, pick outfits that have a basic cropped or ribbed top with jogger pants. With styles like these, you can look effortlessly chic with FILA, Adidas Superstar shoes, and Converse’s Chuck Taylors.
Unique and stylish for the times, the most popular shoes in the ‘90s will allow you to experience a range of styles and looks.
90s Hip Hop Fashion
Hip hop had a strong influence on ‘90s fashion. For example, colorful overalls became popular after members of TLC wore them. Artists like Aaliyah and Destiny’s Child added their flair to urban styles for women. During this time, popular street style brands like FUBU began to emerge, making hip hop fashion even more mainstream.
If you like Aaliyah’s sporty hip hop style, you’ll want to pick pieces that are low-maintenance. An iconic look inspired by this artist would include a bandana, athletic windbreaker, Calvin Klein sports bra, black joggers, and white Adidas. For an outfit inspired by Destiny’s Child, wear a Tommy Hilfiger logo top, low-rise jeans, and white sneakers.
The top hip hop fashion brands of the ‘90s included Calvin Klein, Guess Jeans, Tommy Hilfiger, and Polo. Luckily these brands and all the same styles are still available in stores today so you can recreate the attire easily.
90s Grunge Fashion
Grunge fashion was inspired by icons like Courtney Love, Gwen Stefani and Kim Gordon. Ultimately, 1990s grunge fashion for women can be summed up as feisty, edgy, and authentic. Outfits that feature flannel shirts and distressed jeans are equally comfortable and cool.
One version of grunge style consists of wearing a mini slip dress with fishnets and leather boots. For a modern twist, you can wear a leopard mini dress with fishnets and ankle boots. For more attitude, some women prefer wearing ribbed tops with patterned cargo pants and platform boots. Style this outfit with a crop tank top, low-rise jeans and suede creepers while styling your hair in space buns.
Styling grunge outfits should be effortless and almost anti-fashion. For instance, another authentic look to try is a black dress with a flannel tied around your waist paired with combat boots, Mary Janes or Vans sneakers. You can also accessorize with a choker necklace and studs to complement this classic grunge style.
90s Celebrity Fashion
As with every decade, the 1990s had its fair share of celebrity fashion icons. Some of the top ‘90s celebrity fashion trends came from Hollywood stars like Christina Applegate, Jennifer Aniston, Winona Ryder, Kate Moss, Lisa Bonet, Madonna, and Britney Spears. Each of these celebrities had uniquely different styles.
Christina Applegate’s style was simple. You could replicate her look by wearing a crop top and high-rise jeans with a choker and boots. Jennifer Aniston’s style was chic and minimal. Recreate her iconic style by wearing basic pieces like a slip dress, crop top, high-rise denim and midi skirts with square-toe heels. Winona Ryder’s style reflects ‘90s grunge, and her look can be captured by wearing a leather jacket, basic shirt, turtleneck and high-rise jeans with combat boots. Beyond this, Britney Spears was the queen of crop tops, while Lisa Bonet rocked bold patterns on the red carpet.
From musicians to actors, models, and designers, the best ‘90s celebrity outfits are timeless and cute. However, while most ‘90s celebrity fashion eventually made its way into mainstream pop culture, there were obviously a number of fashion styles that flopped.
90s Hairstyles
The best ‘90s hairstyles for women were cute, playful, and stylish. One of the most popular ‘90s hairstyles was Jennifer Aniston’s “The Rachel” haircut on Friends. However, this cut and style was not the only trendy hairstyle of the decade.
Others loved the longer choppy pixie cut with minimal bangs, similar to Winona Ryder’s haircut in the 1994 rom-com Reality Bites. Other trendy styles included a bob with baby bangs, sleek straight hair styled with a deep middle part, pigtails, and half-up half-down hairdos.
From messy high buns with strands of hair framing the face to high ponytails and braids, ‘90s hair was never boring. These styles can be accessorized with scrunchies, colorful or patterned barrettes and butterfly clips.
Hair styling products include hairspray to keep the style fresh, mousse for a wavy finish, a crimp iron for an undone braid look, and a blow dryer to add volume. Feminine and sexy, women’s hair in the decade was always on-point.
90s Fashion Trends
Wearing ‘90s fashion trends in the modern day can be a little tricky. Women will need to rework the best outfits with modern styles in mind to keep the looks relevant and trendy. Like any other decade, it’s important to have a fresh spin on the vintage look.
The best way to ensure that your wardrobe doesn’t look aged is to mix quintessential ’90s pieces with more current items. Classic Superstars with cute Lululemon leggings or Everlane jeans and a crop top can be hot.
Furthermore, a chic twist for a slip cowl neck dress can be adding a strappy heel with gold hoops and a high ponytail. Crop tops can be worn with skinny or boyfriend jeans, while sporting cute pumps and a messy high bun with a scrunchie. While athleisure is cool and casual, pair a crop top with black joggers, sneakers and two braids for a relaxed ‘90s look.
Regardless of the style you choose, feel free to experiment with various 1990s fashion trends for women while adding a modern touch for a refreshing style. Youthful, fun and carefree, embrace the look and have fun.
