The 90s are back baby! Or at least slowly becoming the new 2020s style of choice. Fashion tends to recycle trends and 90s style is my fav. I may be slightly bias because I’m a 90s baby!
Crop tops, chokers, plaid, bell bottom jeans, knee high shorts were all in my wardrobe back then and I’m so excited to get inspired by my previous fashion endeavors. With all the extra time I’ve spent at home, I’ve definitely been playing with new looks from the comfort of my own home.
PS: I put on some Britney jams or Backstreet Boys on my record player to add to the mood.
My 5 Easy Tips to Incorporate 90s Style into your Wardrobe:
Get EXCITED with jewelry and hair accessories!
The 90s were allll about jewelry, and different funky hairstyles! I love playing around with accessories first, and love layering them over looks. I find that jewelry really changes how an outfit turns out.
Jewelry
Swap your usual necklace and earring combo for a chic choker and some medium-sized/OR large hoop earrings. Chokers and hoop earrings were iconic with 90s pop stars and celebrities. It’s a great way to spruce up your look without having to change too much.
Hair Accessories
One of my favourite everyday accessories from the 90s are scrunchies! Pick up a pack of these (they’re not very expensive if you get them on Amazon or the drug store) and next time you decide to throw your hair in a bun or a high pony, use a scrunchie.
Thick cloth headbands are also back in style! I find that the ones from Goody are really great. I bought a couple different ones off Amazon some time back but they weren’t that great quality. You get what you pay for I suppose. Major Cher from Clueless vibes!
Coloured hair clips are also back in style and very 90s. It completely changes the look and I bought a giant pack of multicoloured ones from Amazon. The pearl clip is from elsewhere but I love pairing them together at times depending on the look I’m going for!
Hairstyles to revamp your 90s vibe
Space Buns are SO cute and I drew inspiration for this from one of Britney Spears most popular looks back in the 90s. Fairly easy to do as well. I usually tie two high ponytails and then loop them around to form a bun, and secure them with a bobby pin.
Play with different makeup looks!
I love playing with different makeup styles- for this 90s vibe, I played with some green shimmer eyeshadow! Green eyeshadow stands out against hazel/brown eyes quite well in my opinion. I also enjoy playing with pink eyeshadow.
My fav pink eyeshadow palette is the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk- so lovely and matte!
As you can tell, I quite enjoy playing with makeup. I did a piece on the difference between Western and Eastern makeup styles if you’re interested in checking it out.
Baggy 90s style doesn’t have to mean frumpy
A lot of 90s fashion was casual, loose and more relaxed than some of the upscale monochrome styles of today. Pieces like oversized blazers, loose-fitting sportswear and flared jeans rocked the pages of SeventeenMag and Teen Vogue.
Just because a variety of 90s fashion is on the baggier side, doesn’t mean you need to look frumpy in your 90s style outfit. I’ve actually been in love with the loose, boyfriend fit blazer lately.
If you’re looking to put a bit of a modern twist on it, grab a belt and cinch it at the waste. You still get the 90s flare without feeling like the blazer is wearing you.
If you decide on a loose-fitting retro tee (I enjoy using band tees that I cut up into tanks), pick a style that fits. Keep the shoulders in the right place and use color blocking and strips to your advantage. Don’t purposely buy an XXL shirt just to have it look baggy. Find styles that naturally fit a little larger and get the right size. This will ensure your look still fits and you end up looking stylish rather than picking clothes that don’t fit.
Getting the perfect mix of old school 90s and modern-day is all about balance
Because the 90s are full of colour blocking and bright colours, make sure to keep at least one part of your outfit a little more neutral.
I’ve been eyeing a lot of the tie-dye sweaters inspired by shows like Fresh Prince of Bel Air. A lot of them stand out and have big pops of colour so I like to pair them with more simple black jeans or even plain black tights to balance out the brightness.
If you pick a looser fitting tee from Reebok, keep your bottoms a little more fitted. If you try your hand at some classic bell bottoms, wear a pointy bootie and balance your top with a cute cropped tee or tube top. Balance those 90s pieces with more modern-day tight looks for the perfect blend of 90s and now.
Inspiration can come from your own closet – reuse what you have!
You don’t have to buy new items! There’s a lot of fun in going through your closet and playing with what you already have.
One of the biggest trends during the 90s was plaid and denim which I’m positive you have in your closet. We can actually find a lot of pieces in our own wardrobes that may not feel like a 90s style outfit right off the bat but when you get creative and pair it with some items you wouldn’t normally, it becomes something completely new! I sometimes feel like I have nothing in my closet to wear too but it just takes a bit of creativity.
Guess what?
The Canadian tuxedo of denim on denim was born in the 90s! It’s such an easy way to incorporate some 90s fashion using styles and looks you already have in your closet.
Got a slip dress that you haven’t worn yet?
Try putting a classic white tee underneath before you finish getting ready.
There are so many staple pieces we already have that can become 90s inspired with just a few tweaks.
Last but definitely not least, plaid!
Every time I see plaid, I immediately think of Clueless and the outfits that Cher puts on. It’s very 90s and along with plaid, tennis skirts are also coming back in style. Here I’m wearing my favourite Poshmark pre-loved find : The Burberry Plaid Bucket Hat!
I hope you enjoyed this style post and you slowly add more 90s pizazz to your wardrobe! Have fun!
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till next time,
xoxo Sam
