The nineties were a great time – but not so much for fashion. Whilst the toys, music and pop culture of the decade have remained iconic, nineties style has become a bit of a fashion faux-pas that we’d rather not remember…
However, without anyone really noticing, the nineties are back – and in a big way; trends that had slipped off the style radar circa the millennium have crept back onto the catwalks, and can be spotted on the high street. We take a nostalgic look back at some of the style crimes of the nineties – and how they can be rocked today.
Birkenstock Sandals
Sliders and socks had a brief moment in the sun way back when, with tourists and beach-visiting pensioners sporting Birkenstocks and thick, woollen socks for a stylish day out. Traditionally thought of as heavy-duty slide sandals in earthy tones, Birkenstocks have had a twenty-first century makeover – with sweet-as-candy colours, uber-Instagrammable metallics and updates to the core range, the new collection of Birkenstocks are our summer footwear staples. Just not with socks…
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Dungarees
Friends favourite Rachel Green loved her denim dungarees, sporting them more often than not in the first few series of the hit TV show. Overalls and pinafores are making a huge comeback this season – wear a Breton stripe vest underneath for festival chic, or a crisp white blouse for a modern spin on workwear.
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Crop Tops
The crop-top died a death in the early noughties – once a celebrity favourite, it was suddenly considered a pretty passé statement to bare one’s midriff. This summer, however, crop-tops are most certainly back – style with a high waisted pencil skirt, rather than Britney’s staple low-slung jeans, to expose just a hint of skin.
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Boyfriend Jeans
Jeans got a revolutionary makeover a few years back: becoming skinnier, tighter and more fitted than ever before. However, it’s time to breathe a sigh of relief - or, depending on how skinny your jeans were, just breathe – because boyfriend jeans, to quote the Backstreet Boys, are back. Alright?
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Tie-Dye
Brain-achingly bright, rainbow tie-dye t-shirts were the epitome of edgy; bonus points if you’d made your tee yourself, using rubber bands from Mum’s sewing box and ruining the kitchen sink in the process. Whilst the colour palette for moden tie-dye is maybe not so vibrant, multi-coloured clothing is an absolute must for festival season – play with muted swirls for a grown-up version of an old classic.
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Double Denim
Possibly the best moment in celebrity history was the red carpet double-denim disaster of Britney and Justin: the prime example for how not to style the fabric head-to-toe. Whilst they gave denim on denim a pretty bad rap, it’s resolutely still on trend –just make sure to clash your colours (think white jeans, blue shirt) and leave your tinted sunglasses at home…
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Tartan
Cher Horowitz from the 1995 smash hit Clueless was the ultimate ambassador for tartan – her yellow jacket and kilt ensemble is one of the most iconic outfits in movie history. Tartan treads a fine line between school uniform and haute couture, so pick your print carefully – opt for bolder, wider checks if you choose dresses, or softer colours in sweaters and shirts.
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