1990’s Fashion

 

 

Early 1990’s

The acid-washed denim look was rejected in 1990 in favour of stonewashed denim in a variety of shades. Denim jackets were still fashionable and, while slim fit jeans were worn until 1994, they were replaced with relaxed fit denim jeans. Men teamed these with white or black tee shirts as per the grunge trends. The high-volume hair styles of the 1980’s were rejected in favour of long, straight hair. In 1991 the bowl cut became popular amongst teenage boys, while the mullet remained a popular style for men up until 1992.

 

Early 1990’s fashion was characterised by fluorescent coloured clothing, and was popular amongst teenage and pre-teen girls, while some boys wore fluorescent tee shirts. Clothing items produced in fluorescent colours included t-shirts, sweatshirts, socks, shoelaces, hair bands, and fluorescent fanny packs. In 1991 colours such as coral, turquoise and hot pink replaced fluorescent colours, although these bright colours became less popular through 1995. Hoop earrings were popular female fashion in the early 1990’s.

 

In 1991 parachute pants became popular for men. It had a drawstring waist, tapered legs, and was worn in a relaxed fit. It was available in a variety of bright, neon colours. In 1992 heat-sensitive shirts that changed colour depending on the body’s temperature became very popular.

 

Grunge and retro-hippie

 

Grunge was the most important fashion trend of the 1990’s. Fashion was influenced by grunge music, both of which became mainstream in 1992. The look was characterised by plaid flannel shirts, stonewashed jeans, and dark colours, which meant that the popularity of the fluorescent colours of 1990 and 1991 decreased. Doc Marten style shoes and boots were a popular element of the grunge trend, as well as high top sneakers in red and other darker colours.

 

Grunge became a very distinct trend. Women’s hair was long and straight, and very few men adopted these long styles. 1990’s fashion trends were unisex, and although it was intended as a rebellion against fashion, it became a trend in its own right. Hooded sweatshirts, vests, long sleeved shirts, and shorts made of plaid became very popular.

 

In 1990 hippie fashion experienced a revival with tie-dye shirts becoming popular. In 1991 sunglasses had the shape of the granny glasses of the 1960’s, and most importantly, in 1992 bell-bottom jeans made a comeback. In 1993, many girls started wearing crocheted vests, which was also considered part of the hippie revival.

 

In 1992 denim overalls were revived as yet another fashion trend. Denim overalls fitted in well with the grunge and neo-hippie fashions, and remained popular through to 2000 as they accommodated many changing styles. Other popular 1990’s women’s fashions were denim shorts, and white denim which was fashionable from 1992 through to 1998.

 

More popular fashions for women during the 1990’s include: the ‘Rachel’ haircut, made popular by Jennifer Aniston’s character on ‘Friends’; baby doll dresses; back-pack purses; GX jeans which were the start of flare-leg jeans; half-heart necklaces, as worn by Laura Palmer on ‘Twin Peaks’; Mary Jane shoes; plastic rubbery bracelets; platforms; spiral perms; thigh-high stockings; tube socks; Union Jack dresses – a mini dress printed with the Union Jack made popular by Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls; butterfly clips worn in the hair by girls of all ages; and white hair bands worn at the front of the hair.

 

Popular unisex fashion trends include: baggy jeans; canvas shoes such as Keds; cargo pants; Cole-Haan loafers which were genuine leather and therefore a status symbol; Doc Martens; Guess, Levi and Nike brands; piercings, whether it be your tongue, belly button, eyebrow or nipple or anything else; polar fleece; and tattoos.

 

The fashion of the 1990’s was characterised by the grunge trend. A rejection of fashion for “anti-fashion”, aspects of this fashion trend continue to influence many modern styles.

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