When you think of ‘90s fashion, what do you think of? Cher Horowitz and her iconic checked black and yellow two piece? Tiny slip dresses and kitten heels? Cruel Intentions-esque cardigans? Or maybe it’s something down the grunge route; baggy denim and plaid everything. Whatever it may be, there’s no doubt that the clothes in the ‘90s created some incredible fashion moments. We’d like to pay homage to them, and wouldn’t ya know it—gasp! A resurgence has happened to occur! It’s no surprise, actually. Fashion trends come and go like nobody's business, but what we can count on are the similarities; in every new trend, something a lil’ old tucked is tucked in there.
Unfortunately, what comes along with new fashion trends are microtrends, and with microtrends comes an increase in consumerism which is … whomp whomp. Not great for the environment. So how can we battle this? Well, the bad news is that we likely won’t ever be able to stop the amount of new clothing people consume, but we can encourage the reuse and revival of pre-loved clothing. So, you want to know how to dress like the ‘90s? Good. Then keep on readin’.
Key Elements of '90s Fashion
So, we know that the ‘90s is home to some incredible fashion moments and trends, but how do we determine what it is exactly that we need to bring to our modern wardrobe to really hit that same mark. Let’s first start by figuring out what the key elements of a retro ‘90s look are:
Iconic '90s Clothing Pieces
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Large flannel shirts (they were plaid obsessed)
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Baggy jeans
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Overalls
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Slip dresses (told you)
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Windbreakers
Essential '90s Accessories
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Chokers
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Bucket hats
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Platform shoes
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Tiny sunglasses
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Fanny packs
Styling Tips for a '90s Retro Look
We’ve got the key elements covered, now we need to put it all together. If you’re going to dress like the ‘90s, you need balance. Mixing and matching vintage pieces with modern clothes can give you a very stylish look that doesn’t feel outdated.
Mixing Vintage and Modern Pieces
If you’re putting pieces together and wondering why it just ain’t working, there’s probably a reason for it. Sometimes it’s about the shape of a clothing item, and sometimes it’s about colour. Ultimately though, it’s probably because you’re thinking too hard about it. ‘90s retro fashion is meant to be fun and unbothered—the messier, the better, and there are so many ways to achieve that effortlessly cool ‘90s retro look. Let’s get into it!
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Flannel and baggy denim: Pair a vintage flannel shirt with some baggy denim jeans or shorts for a sweet blend of ‘90s grunge and modern street style. Larger and baggier shirts will bring you closer to the ‘90s aesthetic, but a properly fitted plaid shirt will also look great if you prefer a more modernised look. Throw in a graphic tee under your flannel shirt and some rips in those jeans to channel your inner ‘90s rockstar.
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Slip dresses and denim jackets: Layering was HUGE in the ‘90s; slip dresses over shirts, tied flannels around the waist, and denim jackets over everything. One of the most iconic combos? Wearing a slip dress denim jacket. It’s effortless and works for both a casual day out or a night on the town. Bonus points if you add some chunky boots to lean into the 90’s grunge aesthetic.
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Loose jeans and fitted crop top: Loose fitted jeans were popularised by hip-hop culture, and now they are back in style (can we get a hell yeah? Hell yeah!) Try pairing them with a fitted or loose crop top.
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.High-waisted jeans and tucked T-shirt: Mom jeans, dad jeans, boyfriend jeans, high-waisted everything—this was the silhouette of the ‘90s. A tucked-in vintage t-shirt (bonus points if it’s a band tee) gives you that instant ‘90s nostalgia.
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Windbreaker and Vintage T-shirt: Channel your inner sporty spice. Go on. We dare you. Layering a windbreaker over a graphic vintage tee is peak ‘90s street style. The original windbreakers tend to be oversized, brightly coloured, and paired with baggy pants and sneakers. However, you can achieve a more modernised look by going with more subdued colors. Either way, we’re sure you’ll love this style.
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Plaid skirt and a matching colored top: If you hear “plaid skirt” and immediately think of Clueless, congrats—you’ve got good taste. Plaid skirts were extremely popular when it came to clothes in the ‘90s, and they’re still popular now. Here’s a little fashion tip when it comes to plaid skirts: Choose a top that matches one of the colors from the plaid skirt. For example, if the skirt is white, navy and black - rock a white top and a dark jacket. Or throw in a graphic tee where one of the colors matches, and you've got yourself a fun and laid-back look.
Embracing '90s Colour Palettes and Patterns
The ‘90s had a particular pattern when it came to colors, but they varied depending on the era. The early ‘90s grunge scene rocked darker, more subdued colours, meanwhile the late ‘90s used more colourful palettes, with neon in everything.
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‘90s alternative/grunge fashion: Black, dark plum, forest green, dark brown and deep red used in plaid/checkerboard prints.
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‘90s pop culture fashion: Vibrant, neon colors especially in sportswear and accessories. Colours such as white, bright blue, pink, green and orange were popular.
Colour-blocking was a popular staple of '90s retro fashion, especially when it came to windbreakers and streetwear. By pairing complimentary colours (those opposite on the colour wheel), you’ll be one step closer to achieving that vibrant ‘90s look.
'90s Fashion Icons and Inspiration
What better way to learn how to dress like the ‘90s than taking inspiration from the biggest style icons?
Celebrity Style Influences
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Kurt Cobain: Lead singer of Nirvana and the king of grunge. Known for wearing flannel shirts and ripped jeans, he had a “couldn’t care less” attitude that made it cool to look slouchy and loose.
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Winona Rider: Queen of the dark and edgy ‘90s look, often rockin’ some black leather bombers, blue jeans and slip dresses. Her style was usually minimalistic, but she pulled off the all-black goth look better than anyone.
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TLC: Opposite of the sad boi/sad gurl-esque fashion, TLC popularised a new trend of brightly coloured, oversized, baggy streetwear. Their clothing was bold and experimental, often with a futuristic feel. TLC’s style influenced the “tomboy” aesthetic which can be seen today in Billie Eilish and Rihanna’s fashion.
'90s Pop Culture Fashion Moments
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Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone): Yes, we’re talking about Clueless. Again. Cher had many iconic ‘90s outfits from which inspiration is still taken today. Cher, the queen of ‘90s fashion, we think.
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Will Smith: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air wore many oversized and colourful outfits that were staple characteristic of the ‘90s. We love you, Will!
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Troy Dyer, Ethan Hawke and Winona Rider: Thank you Reality Bites (1994), you gave us the ultimate grunge aesthetic.
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Spice Girls: Spice up your life! Literally. They spiced up our lives, that’s for sure. Each member had a distinct style, from sporty tracksuits to bold platform boots.
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Singles (1992): Cliff Poncier, portrayed by Matt Dillon, showcases some of the edgy Seattle grunge-style outfits of the ‘90s: layered flannels, messy long hair and worn-out boots.
Where to Find '90s-Inspired Clothing Today
It can be a challenge to find clothes from the '90s today, especially in Australia, but if you know where to look, it’s really not THAT difficult.
Thrift Stores and Vintage Shops
Thrifting is one of the best ways to find cheap, authentic ‘90s clothing, so check out your local thrift stores and vintage boutiques. They can be a goldmine for baggy jeans, flannels, and graphic tees. Melbourne has a massive selection of vintage stores you can shop from. Here are a few:
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Us (obviously)
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Retrostar
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Retropolis
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Vintage Sole
Contemporary Brands Embracing '90s Trends
We’re not saying go out and buy a whole new wardrobe to dress like the ‘90s, but if you’re really struggling to find something at a vintage store, there are contemporary brands you can buy from. Just don’t go overboard, or it won’t feel as authentic.
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Ragstock
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Dangerfield
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Thrifted
Find your ‘90s Fashion Clothing with Official Vintage
Want 90’s clothing without the hassle? Check out Official Vintage’s collection for a curated collection of graphic tees, windbreakers, vintage skirts and more. We’ve got everything you need to achieve your retro dream!