The ‘90s were quite different in contrast to previous decades. Mostly because this era was not predominantly marked by one particular trend or fashion style. The many different looks and outfits mostly originated from the huge amount of various music styles and genres.
An example of a particular music genre that came with its own fashion trend was grunge. T-shirts with band names, ripped jeans and army boots marked this style. On the other hand, there was hip-hop, which favoured a more Urban look. In some countries, the Netherlands for example, the Hardcore scene had also become extremely popular. People within this subculture were often referred to as ‘gabbers’. The common ‘gabber’ had a clean-shaved head and usually wore a tracksuit and a pair of Nike Air Max.
Another popular trend in the ‘90s was ‘body art’. Tattoos and piercings became much more accepted than in previous decades.
1990s Women's fashion
Early '90s
The Nineties somewhat resembled the fashion style of the Seventies. Fashion and clothing was quite minimalistic and there wasn’t much use of very bright colours. The fashion industry of the ‘90s was predominantly marked by supermodels, like Tyra Banks and Kate Moss.
These supermodels were subjected to quite some criticism. Especially Calvin Klein model Kate Moss was often criticised over her extremely small figure and waist. Opposers claimed that Kate’s ‘heroin chic’ style promoted eating disorders and spurred impossible beauty standards.
Neon-colours
The early ‘90s mostly continued with fashion styles from the ‘80s. The use of neon bright colours for example remained very popular amongst young people. Popular women’s clothing were denim shirts, britches, brightly coloured or leopard print leggings, cycling shorts, black denim jackets, mini skirts, overalls and legwarmers.
Abstract motifs like triangles, squares and spirals (as seen in television shows like ‘Saved by the Bell’) were also very popular. Accessories such as bandanas, white socks, Keds shoes, ballet flats, loafers and derby shoes were much in favour too.
Grunge
This music style, famous for bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana, originated in Seattle and also introduced a new fashion style: Grunge fashion. Young women and teenage girls started wearing checked shirts, worn-out jeans, Dr. Martens, Converse All Stars, ‘mom jeans’ (high waist jeans), t-shirts (often band merchandise), oversized sweaters and worn-out pantyhose.
The grunge style was also very layered. T-shirts were often worn in combination with a flannel shirt for example. Another common combination was a long sleeve t-shirt and a t-shirt over it. Furthermore, a sweater or shirt tied around the waist was also considered very fashionable. The years 1993 and 1994 can be considered as the absolute heydays of Grunge fashion.
Leggings and sportswear
The ‘80s trend of tight sportswear, like ballet costumes, cycling shorts and leggings continued on in the ‘90s. Many young women and girls wore ballet costumes as a top in combination with denim jeans. A mini-skirt or short dress in combination with dark panties and legwarmers was also very trendy. Besides the All Stars and Dr. Martens, which were very popular amongst Grunge fans, Keds shoes were also still in high demand.
Mids '90s
Women’s clothing midway through the Nineties had become much more elegant in comparison to previous decades. Large sweaters and blouses were replaced by tight shirts and small sweaters. Comfortable ‘lounge’ clothing, like tracksuits and sweaters were rarely seen outside and normally worn at home.
Femininity
Around 1994 Grunge fashion slowly declined in popularity amongst women. One particular factor that impacted this trend was the newfound interest for more feminine fashion. Glamour and sex appeal suddenly became very important focal points for many women. Tightly fitted skirts and dresses, pantsuits, skinny jeans and stiletto heels became very popular during this time.
Metallic
Another remarkable trend of the 90s was the sudden change to glitter. Outfits for a night out in particular were often covered in glitters or made from more metallic looking material. Popular colours for high heels and pumps were bronze, silver and gold.
School uniform
School uniform
One of the most popular trends and outfits during this period of the Nineties was the sexy schoolgirl look. Many girls started wearing chequered miniskirts, fitted sweaters, full slips, crop tops, high socks or pantyhose and sometimes finished the outfit off with a regimental tie.
This trend was popularised by musicians, television shows and movies such as ‘Clueless’. A notable popular accessory during this time was the belly button piercing. In addition, the schoolgirl outfit is also seen in one of the most iconic music videos of all time: Baby One More Time by Britney Spears (1999).
Wide leg jeans
Late '90s
Near the end of the Nineties certain trends which were popular back in the late ‘70s resurfaced. Especially fake-leather pants, halter tops, crop tops and strapless shirts, turtlenecks, knee-high boots and the famous ‘bell-bottom jeans’ (trousers which go wider from the knees downward) were once again in high demand.
Different to the late ‘70s style, bell-bottom jeans were worn a lot lower on the waist and were often combined with a crop top and a belly button piercing. Brightly coloured or camouflaged clothing had also gotten very popular amongst women.
Casual Chic
A new trend that emerged during the late ‘90s was the casual chic dresscode. Slightly ‘washed’ jeans, tank tops with spaghetti straps, crop tops and sportswear were some of the main items of clothing of the casual chic trend. Around this time in Europe denim clothing had once again become very popular as well. Something which many manufacturers gladly tugged into.
Besides denim jeans, sneakers with built in pouches filled with pressurised gas by Adidas, Nike (Air Max) and Sketchers were also extremely popular. Many people also chose (fake) leather sneakers over canvas shoes (such as Vans and All Stars). Popular accessories of the time were gold and silver hooped earrings.
Men’s clothing at the beginning of the Nineties was similar to that of the late 1980s. Denim wear, especially high waist jeans and jackets, was still very fashionable. Men and boys also still often wore polo-shirts, leather jackets and t-shirts.
Early '90s
Early ‘90s men’s fashion was quite different from that of the late ‘80s. In the previous decade, the emphasis was on materialism and portraying wealth. This changed throughout the early ‘90s, when people steadily started to act and dress more casually and nonchalant. In general, men’s clothing was quite simplistic and mainly focused on comfortability. One particular fashion trend that originated from this ‘laid-back’ style was the Grunge style.
Grunge
Grunge music defined the early ‘90s for both men and women. Bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam gained extreme popularity and people started to adapt the outfits of these famous musicians.
Popular pieces of clothing from the Grunge style were the loose flannel shirts or jackets, worn-out denim jeans, canvas sneakers (especially Converse All Stars), oversized sweaters, black leather jackets, parka’s and fingerless gloves.
Mids '90s
Halfway through the ‘90s, the ‘mod’ (modernist) fashion trend came along. This trend was mostly brought forth through the popularity of Britpop. Popular bands from the Britpop scene were Oasis, Blur, Placebo and The Verve.
Boys and men started to dress similarly to these artists. Popular clothing were brown leather jackets, velvet blazers, paisley shirts and t-shirts with remarkable prints, shoulder bags and boat shoes (deck shoes).
Hip hop
Another remarkable subculture that emerged in the mid ‘90s, especially in America and Europe, was hip hop. Famous artists such as 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. achieved immense popularity with young people.
Typical hip hop fashion consisted of sagging denim jeans, oversized baseball jackets and tracksuits. Camouflage print, bandana’s and exceptional diamond jewellery were also very popular within the hip hop scene.
Late '90s
Near the end of the Nineties the baggy fashion trends, like hip hop and grunge, were replaced by more elegant and expensive designer clothes. Popular men’s designer clothes were Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein. During this period, Europe was captivated by denim wear and the use of colours in clothing increased dramatically over the world. Popular clothing from this time period were hoodies, denim shorts, basketball shorts, tracksuits and bomber jackets.
Business wear
During the last couple of years in the ‘90s new trends emerged for men’s business wear. The double-breasted ‘power suits’ from the ‘80s were slowly replaced by the European style single breasted suits. These suits usually had 3 to 4 buttons and notched lapels. Men still wore relatively broadties with dark colours. Though the patterned and striped ties, which were very fashionable during the ‘80s, slowly went out of fashion.
Smart casual en business casual
Two new styles of clothing that emerged in the late ‘90s were the smart casual and the business casual dress codes. Tweed jackets were quickly deemed old-fashioned and with formal occasions men started to wear single breasted suits with a shirt and a colourful tie. Popular shoes that went with this particular outfit were patent leather shoes.
