The '90s Are All That

When I look at the latest trends, I see denim jackets, platform shoes and chokers… I think I’m having fashion déjà vu. Aren’t these the same looks from the days of the Spice Girls and NSYNC? That’s right, take out that pair of overalls you thought you’d never wear again, because the ‘90s are back.

The ‘90s were a time of experimentation in fashion and self-expression. Mixing a slip dress with combat boots was the perfect mix of femininity and masculinity, and wearing a plaid shirt with dark lipstick allowed every girl to feel just a little bit rebellious. Cher Horowitz from “Clueless” was everyone’s preppy style icon, while stars like Gwen Stefani made everyone want to embrace the grunge look.

Plaid Dress $24.90 and Plaid Skirt $17.90, both Forever21

It seems as though the ‘90s were just yesterday, but the days of Doc Martens and mom jeans were over 20 years ago. Being born in 1998, I’m not sure if I can officially call myself a ‘90s kid but I find these throwback trends reminding me of a simpler time-- a time before we got dressed up just to post the perfect Instagram. I think millennials are so attracted to the trends of their childhood because they feel the same way. Wearing a vintage look is like traveling back in time. Wearing a plaid mini skirt brings me back to the days when I listened to “…Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears on repeat. It brings me back to when fashion was fun and everyone had his or her own unique style, whether it was punk or preppy. When it was actually cool to wear jelly sandals and butterfly clips.

Fashion has become just like the movie industry: everything being released is a sequel. Yet, I find that in this case, the reboot may be able to hold its own against the original. While the latest trends are similar to those of the ‘90s, I think they have evolved to fit in with modern times. The denim skirts I see now are not the same ones from the ‘90s; they are high-waisted and lace up. Overalls come in a variety of styles, ranging from denim to fabric to dresses. Even mom jeans are more flattering than they used to be. Everything old is new again, but the trends of the ‘90s have been reborn and revived.

From left to right: Shortall Overall $69, Urban Outfitters; Dr. Martens 1460 Smooth $125, Dr. Martens; Satin Slip Dress $59, Urban Outfitters; Ankle Strap Platform Sandal $29.50, Echo Club House; Bleach Mom Jean $80, Topshop

So let’s dress more like Kate Moss than Kim Kardashian. Let’s dive deep in our closets and once again wear frayed denim and platform sandals. It’s time to embrace the looks of our childhood because the ‘90s are back and (hopefully) here to stay.