Apparently the ‘90s really are all that and a bag of chips. The long awaited ‘90s trends revival is finally upon us. It’s safe to say we all needed a little nostalgia in our lives. When we were young, we were told the sky was the limit.
There was a formula: college, job, house, family, etc. You follow the formula, and you have a good life. Well, apparently the 2000s didn’t get the memo. After the disaster of 2001, shortly followed by the Great Recession of 2007, the idea of “security” became a figment of our imaginations. There was no so-called “formula” anymore.
Now it’s 2017 and many of us are finding our footing in the real world. (And gosh, who knew we had such a bad center of balance?)
So what’s a girl to do? You’re dropping bills on tuition, you’ll never own your own home, and you’re competing with 500 other people for that job you’ve wanted since you were 12 years old. You self-medicate of course, and the best way to medicate fear for the future is with fondness for the past. A thirst for nostalgia sprung up, and the ‘90s revival sprung up with it.
Luckily, all of our favorites are back (and thankfully no baggy jeans) and better than ever. Whether it’s just by coincidence or just god-given talent, us young folk are doing the ‘90s revival right. Here are some of our favorite ‘90s trends that have been revived and remastered in the best way.
In the 90s, tattoo chokers were the way to go when it came to neckwear. Though the tattoo choker had its comeback, the world of chokers has evolved and taken on a life of its own. Whether you choose a thick velvet choker or wrap a thin suede ribbon around your neck, your look will be exponentially improved.
Combat boots came back in a big way during this revival. Instead of wearing them in the typical punk way, youths took advantage of their fashion freedom by creating a mishmash of styles. Girls pair chunky docs with floral bohemian dresses, amongst other things. With the revival came a whole flurry of new styles and patterns, so cop them before they’re gone!
Why wear your dad’s moto jacket when you can get one of your own? Of course, yours will be adorned with rose-shaped enamel pins and maybe a back patch that reads, “RIOT GRRRL,” but that’s what makes it fashionable, right? Moto jackets are the perfect way to harden a soft look and add some much needed androgyny into your life.
We want to emphasize “perfect” when we talk about mom pants. Tight fitting at the top, tapered at the bottom, and preferably a vintage pair by Levi or Guess is the best way to go. If you want to stylishly rip them, all the better.
Though they didn’t necessarily go out, they certainly weren’t “in” the way they are now. Wrapped around your hips or tossed over a vintage t-shirt, flannels have become more of an accessory than an actual piece of clothing. (We think you get bonus points if your flannel has been casually ripped or sewn up with a Led Zeppelin patch, but don’t hold us to that.)
You wore them when you were an infant, and now you’ll rock them again as a fully formed human. (Pro-Tip: Find a grainy film photo of yourself from your crazy preschool days and figure out who wore it better.)
Whether you’re repping a pair of Minnie Mouse-esque “space buns” or going full ‘90s and covering your entire head in them, you can be sure that these are back for good. (Even if they have to take their permanent place as a half-headed top knot.)
You ladies with luscious manes are probably stoked on this one. Finally you can keep your hair up and be considered fashionable at the same time. Opt for a satin or velvet scrunchie and work it.
The crop tops of today are definitely an upgrade over their predecessors. Whether it’s a midriff-baring cotton tee or a $200 designer blouse, ladies nowadays have plenty of options in the cropped department. What’s better, high rise pants came back with them. If you dislike crop tops at all, keep in mind that they used to be paired with cringe-worthy low rise jeans. At least you don’t need a bikini wax to rep this style. (Yikes.)
According to a study cited by Forbes, millennials are very brand loyal. That being said, it makes sense that obviously branded clothing is coming back in style. Those full-body Tommy Hilfiger outfits could be back, ladies. Grab a tube top and bring out your inner Tommy Girl.
Though the Buffalo four-inch platforms have only come back in niche groups, platforms with one to two inch soles come in every style under the sun. Whether you’re looking for sandals, boots, or heels, you’ll be able to find them at all your favorite department stores. Unfortunately, you might be hard pressed to find a pair of platform flip flops. (Give it a year or two.)
Apparently when we thought Baywatch was gone for good, we were sorely mistaken. One piece swimsuits with high cuts in the sides are no longer old fashioned, but actually fashionable. For real authenticity, cop the one that says “Bae Watch” so everyone at the beach knows what’s up.
Though mostly dedicated to festival and concert attire, body glitter is making its way back into the mainstream. Shimmering eyeshadows, silver eyeliners, and sparkly flecked lipsticks are the newest way to get your daily bling on.
Why wear red lipstick when you can wear a brick lipstick? It’s not so dark as to be goth, but it also shows you’re not playing around. The muted tone is neither overpowering or attention-seeking, aka it’s the lip color of our dreams.
Whether surfacing in bodysuits, mesh crop tops, or full 90s-esque slinky dresses, sheer clothes are back. The rise of fashionable bralettes paralleled this trend, and it was a match made in heaven. (Then again, free the nipple right?)
Whether you’re just looking for a cute way to pull off your summer farmer’s tan, or just going for that casual agricultural-chic look, overalls are the way to go. Who needs pants anyways? (FYI, Huffington Post says to, “leave the plaid at home,” if you want to look like a grown up. Good thing we don’t.)
These styles epitomize the ’90s. Whether you’re just trying to get a healthy dose of nostalgia or just need an excuse to wear all those vintage Levi’s you’ve been hoarding, get out there and work it!
