How to Dress in 90s Fashion

The 90s was an incredible era for pop culture and music, which greatly influenced the fashion trends of that time. If you're looking to dress with 90s inspiration, consider wearing items like a wool coat, baggy jeans, or military boots. Other trends include windbreakers, tube tops, and overalls. Pair these outfits with accessories from the 90s to capture the essence of that decade.

Wear a T-shirt from a Skateboard Brand. In the 90s, graphic tees were all the rage, and T-shirts from skateboard brands were particularly popular. Opt for shirts from brands like Blind, Toy Machine, Element, and Volcom to achieve that authentic skate culture look.

• If you're not into skateboarding, you can substitute with T-shirts featuring famous bands from that era, like Nirvana or Alice in Chains.
• You can wear the T-shirt on its own, or layer it with a jacket or sweater.

Rock the Grunge 90s Style with a Plaid Flannel Shirt. A staple of 90s fashion, the plaid flannel shirt perfectly embodies the grunge era. Layer it over a simple graphic tee or a plain white or black shirt.

• In the 90s, flannel shirts were commonly paired with baggy jeans or distressed denim.
• Go for neutral shades like dark green, brown, or burgundy, but feel free to opt for brighter tones like red, orange, or yellow as well.

Wrap a Bandanna to Make a Crop Top or Wear a Strapless Top. In the 90s, women often turned bandannas into trendy strapless tops. Simply fold a bandanna diagonally, drape it over your chest, and tie the ends behind your back. Alternatively, a strapless top works just as well.

• A strapless top is a cropped, sleeveless design that covers only the chest.
• If you prefer not to use a bandanna, choose a strapless top featuring paisley patterns similar to those found on bandannas.
• Pair your strapless top with high-waisted denim or leggings.

The Simple Slip Dress is Always Fashion-Forward. A slip dress, made from lightweight silk or satin, was a timeless piece of 90s fashion. Choose one in classic black, white, beige, peach, or light blue, and wear it casually or for special occasions. You can even layer it with a t-shirt or tube top underneath for added style.

• Slip dresses were often made of velvet, offering a different texture for an elegant look.
• They typically come in knee-length or ankle-length cuts.

Pair Your Outfit with a Bold Windbreaker from the 90s. Windbreakers were iconic during the 90s, known for their colorful and functional designs. Layer them over a t-shirt, leaving it unzipped for a relaxed vibe, or zip it up for warmth.

• Opt for a windbreaker featuring at least two colors to truly channel the 90s vibe.

Stay Warm in a Coogi Sweater During Winter. Coogi sweaters, known for their vibrant colors and thick knit, became famous thanks to hip-hop legends like Notorious B.I.G. These heavy sweaters are perfect for chilly winter days.

• Coogi items can be pricey, so consider checking secondhand or charity shops for deals.
• You can also wear colorful knit sweaters or those with diamond and rhombus patterns to capture a similar 90s aesthetic.

Tie a sweatshirt around your waist for when it gets chilly. Tying a sweatshirt around your waist was a popular fashion trend back then. It's simple: just tie the sleeves around your waist with the body of the sweatshirt hanging behind you. This look was often worn so that when it got cold, you could easily put the sweatshirt on, although many people wore it this way just for style.

• You can do the same with a coat or cardigan.
• Choose a color that complements the rest of your outfit for a balanced look.

Pick a pair of flared jeans that match with your top. Denim is a timeless fashion trend that never goes out of style, and in the 90s, the popular look was flared or wide-leg jeans. These went well with a skateboard t-shirt or a coat. You could also wear them with a tube top or a sleeveless shirt.

• Currently, this style is similar to 'boyfriend' jeans.
• Light-wash jeans were also a hit in the 90s. You can try wearing wide, light-wash denim to achieve an authentic 90s look.

Wear high-waisted ripped jeans or fabric pants. 'Mom jeans' were very trendy in the 90s, characterized by their high waist that reached the navel. Opt for ripped or faded jeans, or go for a high-waisted pair to channel that 90s vibe.

• For instance, you could wear ripped denim with a tube top or t-shirt.
• You can also pair fabric pants with a 90s-style blazer or a button-up shirt.

Wear overalls without the straps. Overalls were a major trend in the 90s, but people often wore them without the straps or with just one strap attached. They went perfectly with plain t-shirts or graphic tees.

• Nowadays, overalls have made a comeback as a fashion trend, so you can find modern-style versions at stores.

Opt for a suit if you want a 90s-inspired professional look. A suit, or power suit, is a matching set with trousers and a blazer. You can pick a pair of solid-colored trousers and pair it with a matching blazer or jacket for an instant 90s office vibe.

• Suits come in a wide variety of colors, just like a rainbow. You can go for vibrant hues like red, purple, or blue, or stick to neutral tones like beige, khaki, or brown.

Wear leggings for everyday wear or a laid-back style. Leggings gained popularity in the 90s as both activewear and casual attire. They pair well with oversized or long t-shirts. Choose bright-colored leggings to stay true to the 90s look, and don't forget to add a sporty headband!

• Pick leggings in bright colors like pink, yellow, and purple. Many 90s leggings featured patterns like zigzags, polka dots, or flames.

Sport bike shorts for a trendy and comfortable option. In the 90s, men's sporty shorts were shorter than today's styles, and to avoid being too revealing, they often wore bike shorts underneath. This trend quickly became popular for both men and women. They’re a great choice for casual, 90s-inspired outfits.

• Bike shorts in bright colors like blue, pink, and purple were common.
• Women often wore bike shorts under one-piece outfits or leotards during workouts.

Try wearing a sarong as a skirt for a unique look. A sarong is a long piece of fabric wrapped around the waist or chest. Traditionally worn in many Southeast Asian countries, it became a fashion trend in the 90s. Women would wrap the sarong around their waist like a skirt.

• To tie a sarong, hold each corner with one hand, then tie a knot at your waist. Shift the knot to the left or right, and gently adjust the fabric to achieve a neat appearance.
• You can pair a sarong with a t-shirt or tube top for a relaxed vibe.

Wear a mood ring. Mood rings, which change color depending on your mood, were a popular accessory in the 90s. These rings contained thermochromic liquid crystals that reacted to temperature. The colors were believed to represent the wearer's emotions. You can choose a ring in your preferred style, whether it’s a chunky band, butterfly-shaped, or dolphin-shaped.

• Although mood rings were mostly worn by women, they are actually a unisex accessory suitable for both genders.
• While mood rings were invented in the 70s, they became truly popular in the 90s.

Add some color with a slap bracelet. Slap bracelets are flexible stainless steel bands wrapped in fabric, silicone, or plastic. To wear one, simply slap it against your wrist and it will curl around it. You can pair a slap bracelet with a tube top and leggings for a stylish look.

• Slap bracelets come in a variety of colors, patterns, and materials, with popular designs including animal prints, zigzags, and polka dots.

Wear small hoop earrings if you have pierced ears. Small silver hoop earrings gained popularity in the 90s, thanks to celebrities who wore them on TV. You can wear one earring on each ear, or if you have multiple piercings, try a combination of a large and small hoop.

• You can also opt for gold or black hoop earrings for a different look.

Consider body piercings if you want to embrace the 90s trend. Body piercings weren’t very common before the 90s. However, the grunge movement played a huge role in popularizing them, and young people quickly jumped on the trend, getting piercings in the nose, eyebrows, lips, and even nipples. If you want to truly follow the 90s trend, consider getting a body piercing.

• Keep in mind that body piercings are semi-permanent.

Snapback caps were also a trendy accessory. The 90s hip-hop scene made snapback hats famous. You can pick a snapback with your favorite band logo or sports team logo and pair it with the right outfit. Don’t forget to wear the cap with the brim facing backward for that true 90s look.

• Snapbacks are known for their large, flat brims and have adjustable plastic straps with perforated holes.
• Pair a snapback with a Coogi sweater and wide-leg jeans for a more hip-hop style.

Wear a studded belt for a bold grunge look. Studded accessories made a huge comeback in the '90s, and many people wore studded belts to add that trendy grunge vibe. Plus, a studded belt pairs perfectly with wide-leg jeans. You can choose a belt with silver, blue, red, or pink studs.

• You can also wear a studded choker or a studded jacket for a true grunge or punk style.

Sport footwear from brands like Kangaroos, Timberland, or Doc Martens. Kangaroos sneakers are known for their bright colors and a small zipper pouch on the shoes. Timberland boots became extremely popular during the dominance of hip hop. Doc Martens, the classic military-style boots, became iconic in the grunge music scene. Pick the style that speaks to you and rock it with full '90s flair!

• For instance, you can pair Kangaroos with bike shorts.
• Match your Timberlands with wide jeans and a Coogi sweater.
• Or wear Doc Martens with a wool coat and a studded belt.

• You can also try bleaching the tips of your hair to emulate '90s hairstyles.
• Popular '90s graphics included smiley faces, the yin-yang symbol, dolphins, flames, and various animals.
• Bucket hats and sunglasses were also iconic accessories in the '90s.