About a month ago, I wrote an article about 80s fashion. I was curious to gather opinions from my parents and grandparents, but I couldn't quite grasp their emotions and the spirit of that bygone era. Today, however, I can share my personal observations on 90s fashion, since my conscious life began during that period. At the time, my family was poor, and I remember the moment my father bought our first television. And when I say television, don’t picture modern machines. It didn’t display color images and weighed more like a submarine than what I imagined a TV to be. Despite that, my brother and I watched it all day and didn’t blink — because for us, it was like... how to say it... imagine buying a plane today and flying all day. That’s how it felt! We watched shows and concerts by famous performers. I remember paying close attention to how people dressed on TV — that was my first encounter with fashion. Fashion back then was anything but boring. Different styles, experimentation, and innovation are just part of the historical legacy this era left us.
Early 90s: Grunge, Denim, and Logomania. In the early 90s, the flashy outfits that characterized the previous decade underwent significant changes. A more casual style became popular, with a shift toward minimalist trends. Logomania was put on a pedestal — everyone wanted a logo T-shirt. Grunge style emerged and quickly gained popularity. Women wore dark lipstick and ripped jeans. My first cousin wore a crop top and high-waisted jeans every day. She loved short denim jackets because they were super trendy back then. Men wore cargo pants, which still hold a place in modern fashion. Oversized T-shirts and hoodies were also part of men’s wardrobes. I still have a red hoodie that my mom gave me for my 10th birthday. I remember wearing it with a bomber jacket, because everyone at school dressed like that. Ah, those were the days! The late 90s, on the other hand, were somewhat different. Girls started wearing low-rise shorts, carried transparent bags to school, and wore plastic trinkets on their arms. Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears were the inspiration for most girls — everyone in 10th grade styled their hair with headbands and twin ponytails. We used to wear shiny pink lipsticks that glowed like a traffic light. Oh, how young and crazy we were.
Late 90s: Gloss, Britney, and "Gangsters". By the late 90s, men’s style changed too. R&B culture was emerging, and every boy mimicked famous rappers. Baseball caps and thick white sneakers were part of every self-respecting "gangster’s" arsenal. Denim jackets and baggy oversized pants were also popular. I have mixed feelings — a sense of nostalgia, but also laughter at how we dressed decades ago.
Rachel's Style and More In 1996, I started university, and my parents expected that I had stopped caring about silly teen trends and was now focused on more "existential topics." Well, not quite. That was exactly when the show Friends came out, and I became obsessed with Rachel’s look. Her hairstyle and clothes had an effortless, individual vibe (which is important in college). I searched the internet a lot to show you the outfit I liked and managed to find two images where you can clearly see the wide black pants and elbow-length tops. I scoured the whole city to find similar clothes. I’ve done crazy things in the name of fashion. What a wild head! But Jennifer Aniston wasn’t the only star dictating fashion in the 90s. The Spice Girls and Destiny’s Child were also at the top along with Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. Of course, there were other icons from my generation, but I only remember these names. Anyway...
Hairstyle. Of course, hair was very important back then. I "tortured" my hair in front of the mirror for hours. Honestly, I’m surprised I still have hair. As I said, Jennifer Aniston was my idol, so I often styled my hair in layers — voluminous with slightly curled ends. Many people in the 90s wanted that look. My best friend, though, wasn’t a fan of that hairstyle. She always wore her hair in two high ponytails, just like Britney Spears. Another popular hairstyle among my friends was braiding two plaits framing the face. You could see all kinds of experiments. Oh, and I almost forgot the iconic zig-zag parting. My friend often asked me to do her hair like that. I’d take a fine-tooth comb and dig into her scalp. Boys, on the other hand, wanted the "wet look" — they’d slather on hair gel by the pound, just like my husband. Well, today he’s bald and looks nothing like Leonardo DiCaprio, but he still cherishes those memories.
What were the most popular accessories and shoes? As you’ve already gathered, I’m a big fan of Rachel from Friends, so for me, it was "vital" to have jewelry and hair clips like hers. All kinds of plastic necklaces and bracelets were popular in the 90s. I remember in the school hallways we all clinked like a herd of sheep, but we loved it. Thin pink or yellow sunglasses were also hugely popular. The typical makeup was black eyeliner and sparkly eyeshadow. It was like I went to school not to study but to show how fashionable I was. As for shoes — I’m not sure which ones were most popular, but I still keep my thick-soled sneakers and strappy heels from back then in my closet.
Conclusion: TV was our fashion. I can confidently say that I wasn’t left with the impression that designers or fashion houses dictated the rules of 90s fashion. Back then, our designers were the TV and especially music channels. That’s where we learned style and fashion. There were many controversial looks — styles that expressed freedom and individuality. The goal of our generation wasn’t to fit into a group — quite the opposite. Without a doubt, the 1990s left a lasting imprint on modern fashion. Many contemporary fashion houses and pop stars are trying hard to bring back the spirit of those years, but the truth is — to truly feel that energy, you
