Chances are, at least one of your outfits from the past month pays homage to ‘90s fashion trends — whether you intended for it to or not. Retro style has a sneaky way of sliding into closets, not fully taking over with ‘fits that scream “vintage!” but element by element. A velvet choker here, a muted brown lip there, a few romps in a pair of platform sandals or combat boots. Before you know it, you’ll have strangers stopping you on the street and telling you your outfit has major Cindy Crawford vibes (we can only dream).
Like with any other decade in fashion, some trends come and others go, never to be relived again. But the ‘90s arguably left us with a higher number of wardrobe mainstays. It was an especially vibrant time for micro style, bold accessories, effortlessly cool mish-mashes, and having fun with what you wear. Even some of the more questionable ‘90s styles (we’re looking at you, capri pants) have seen comebacks in 2025.
So while fashion is cyclical, as was true during the ‘90s themselves, when '70s- and '30s-inspired looks were in, we’re pretty sure this era of fashion will never cycle out of style. That’s also because when we talk about ‘90s fashion, we’re talking about a huge number of distinctly iconic style moments. This is, after all, the decade that gave us streetwear-glam girl groups (see: TLC), minimalist ‘90s suiting (as dictated by brands like Calvin Klein and Armani), off-duty supermodel fashion (tipping our hats to you, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss), and, of course, ‘90s grunge fashion (we’ll take every babydoll dress Courtney Love ever wore, thanks). From ‘90s hip hop style and clubwear to preppy ‘90s looks, there’s a near-endless well of sartorial inspo to draw from.
Ready to channel what may have just been the best decade for fashion? (We said it!) Whether you’re dressing up for a ‘90s party or just looking to add a little “it’s the ‘90s!” oomph to your wardrobe, it’s easier than ever to find new ‘90s-inspired pieces from modern brands. Case in point: We’ve pulled together the best ‘90s fashion trends with modern dupes below, all ripe for the repurposing. Even better? Take this list with you to the thrift store and score the real deal.
Bucket Hats
We can't talk about the best ‘90s fashion and not mention the iconic bucket hat. Today, you can find them in various styles, fabrics, colors, and designs, ready to pair with everything from chic summer sundresses and casual denim jumpsuits to sporty athleisure. Want to really go full ‘90s with it? Opt for a faux fur bucket hat in a fun color or pattern.
Baby Tees
Midriffs were all the rage when it came to ‘90s fashion trends. Not quite crop tops, baby tees just look like a smaller version of a regular-length t-shirt. Sometimes they have colorful cuffs on the sleeves and neckline, sometimes they don’t. But they’re painfully adorable and have made a comeback.
Slip Dresses
You can’t go to a wedding reception or a club without spotting at least one slip dress on the dance floor. They come in all colors, they’re sexy and comfortable (a hard combo to nail), and you can find them in all price ranges and sizes. The classic ‘90s slip dress is characterized by its under-the-knee, shin-skimming hem, though you can find shorter slip dresses, too. Look for a straight, high neckline or a low-hanging cowl neck number with adjustable spaghetti straps. Either one makes for a classically chic dress you’ll keep forever.
Headbands
Headbands in general were a staple of ‘90s outfits, meaning there’s a bunch of different throwback styles to choose from. For one, there’s the wide fabric headband, as seen on Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) and Dionne Davenport (Stacey Dash) in Clueless and on Selena Gomez more recently. There’s also the tortoiseshell headband, loved by ‘90s icon Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and today-icon Keke Palmer, who went full Y2K with a zig-zag style. From padded headbands to bow-topped, scrunchie-like versions, headbands are a low-fuss way to pull together all kinds of outfits, whether the target aesthetic is preppy or sporty.
Bike Shorts
They aren’t just for the gym anymore. Bike shorts are surprisingly versatile, whether you pair them with a sports bra and a blazer or toss on a crew-neck sweatshirt, Princess Diana style. And while black bike shorts may be the most popular pick nowadays, they still come in all colors of the rainbow. Though you will see fewer neon pairs on the sidewalk now than you would have in a rack of ‘90s clothes.
Old Navy
Extra High-Waisted CloudComfy Biker Shorts
Combat Boots
Combat boots have been a mainstay in fashion for decades, but ‘90s grunge fashion was built on the footwear. Doc Martens may be the most popular brand, beloved for its varied collection of boot styles, but there are so many different styles on the market. Classic combat boots are secured with laces, but there are designs with zippers available. Either way, the heavy design is inspired by the military boots worn by soldiers in combat.
Claw Clips
When a simple hair band won’t do the trick, consider taking a step back in time and collecting all of those strands with a hair claw for a perfect ‘90s look. Available in a range of sizes and designs, it’s a straightforward plastic design that traps locks in place. In the ‘90s, they were used mainly in casual outfits, as a way to quickly get hair out of the face. Today, you’ll see them in every situation, from strolls to the farmers market to wedding day hairstyles.
Velvet Suits
Velvet, in general, was a big part of 1990s fashion. And velvet suiting may be one of the simplest ways to channel ‘90s style today. Whether it’s a velvet collar, vest, or a head-to-toe velvet look, the texture adds a playful, romantic touch to formalwear. FYI: A pair of velvet pajamas can totally be dressed up, too!
Plaid Flannel Shirts
Though it’s had popularity peaks, at the end of the day, plaid flannel has never really left the trend train. There aren’t many (casual) situations where flannel isn’t a good choice: it’s perfect for hikes, grocery store visits, lounging at home, or going out with friends. And it’s about as 1990s as it gets.
Fanny Packs
There’s a big difference in how fanny packs are worn today compared to the 1990s. Instead of looping them around the waist as they were designed to be worn, fashionmongers of the 2020s like to sport them cross-body, like a little easy-to-access pouch that’s even easier to take on and off. JanSport was the leading fanny pack provider in the ‘90s, but you’ll find plenty of other options today — from luxe leather fanny packs to the ever-popular Lululemon belt bag.
Flared Jeans
Flared jeans are right where 1990s fashion meets the new millennium. They’ve been a divisive denim choice in years since, but Kendrick Lamar arguably changed all that with his 2025 Super Bowl look. In short, bell-bottoms and boot cuts are back, baby. Look for a full-length (not cropped) pair in a light or medium wash to really go Y2K with it. Rips and peekaboo butt crack optional!
Hoop Earrings
Quick history lesson: While hoop earrings have been around for millennia, in the U.S., their origin as a culturally significant fashion statement is often linked to the flapper Josephine Baker and to Chicano Pachucas, a Mexican American women’s counterculture group in the 1930s and 1940s. In the 1970s, large hoops became a go-to style worn by Black and Latina disco artists and activists, and by the 1990s, they were a staple of ‘90s hip hop, rap, and R&B fashion.
Today, hoops’ significance to Black and Latina communities is sometimes omitted when we talk about them as a ubiquitous jewelry box item. Buying jewelry from Black- and Latina-owned jewelry shops and brands is one way to avoid playing into that!
Scrunchies
Much like hair claws, scrunchies were a fun way to liven up a simple hairstyle in the ‘90s. More often than not, they were colorful and made with excess fabric to fan out around the ponytail (or ballerina-style bun). They’ve been back in style for a little while now (recall the VSCO girl?) and we hope they’ll stay that way!
Crop Tops
Unlike baby tees, crop tops look like they’re missing a bit of, well, shirt at the bottom — and we mean that in a fun, stylish way! Maybe it’s a cropped T-shirt. Maybe it’s a cropped tube top a la late ‘90s fashion. Maybe it’s literally any shirt Gwen Stefani wore during No Doubt’s heyday. If it hits at or above the belly button, it’ll work!
Sheer Fabrics
Whether it was a mesh dress with bold appliques peppered in the important areas or see-through tops worn with a tube top underneath, sheer clothing saw a big moment in the 1990s. It’s still a super fun fabric to play with, especially when there are small, peek-a-boo moments of mesh hidden in your fit.
Sunglasses
When it comes to 1990s trends, the less of your optical region your sunglasses cover, the better. Shapes and colors may vary, from long, oval shades with a pastel tint to wire-framed square sunnies that are perched on the tip of your nose. But a slim size is the thing to look for, as Sydney Sweeney would agree.
Cargo Pants
Grab a pair of combat boots and some cargo pants, and you could have dropped yourself into any ‘90s music venue with a mosh pit. Some designs had drawstrings at the ankles for a parachute-y vibe, while others were bootcut. Cargo pants have been back for a minute, meaning you can find both of these styles — and many, many more — in stores today.
Corset Tops
Late fashion designer Thierry Mugler had a big hand in popularizing the corset top as a go-to piece of early 1990s fashion, and if you can find an original, you’re in for a real treat. Available in patterns and colors of all kinds, a truly throwback design detail is a lace-up front or back— a feminine touch for any pair of jeans… or cargo pants.
Leather Blazers
A good leather jacket is timeless, but something about a black leather blazer feels distinctly 1990s in the best way. Maybe it was all the leather blazers we saw Winona Ryder and Gwyneth Paltrow rock in the ‘90s and aughts. They were clearly onto something, as the reemergence of leather blazers today shows. And even if you can’t spring for a real leather blazer, there are a ton of convincing vegan leather options out there.
Jelly Shoes
The resurrection of jelly sandals is proof that everything really does come back around. As a platform heel or mule, in bright colors or glittery PVC plastic — you can’t go wrong with this cute, comfy sandal.
Chokers
Nothing says late 1990s fashion like a choker. Stretch tattoo choker? Check. Wide velvet choker? Check. Choker with a pendant? Check check. There’s a different Y2K choker style out there for every day of the week and then some.
Scarves and Shawls
What’s more ‘90s fashion than a choker? A scarf worn as a choker! Nineties women loved a scarf as evening wear. Bonus points if the fabric is an exact match to the rest of your ‘fit. Or for an even dressier version, a classic, drape-y shawl slung low around the elbows works, too!
Babydoll Dresses
Start with a lacy babydoll dress. Add some ripped tights, a Peter Pan collar, and a bright red lip, and you’ve got a recipe for Courtney Love-inspired getup. This version of ‘90s grunge style has had its moments of revival — what was indie sleaze style if not its direct descendant? — and we’re certain we haven’t seen the last of it.
Animal Print
Animal print — once the stuff of ‘90s red carpet looks and suburban living rooms — is back to having a moment. (Just ask Hailey Bieber, Sang Heon Lee, and Rosé!) Add in a splash or go full head-to-toe leopard print a la Shania Twain in the 1998 music video for “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” In any dose, it’s an easy way to add a little glam to your wardrobe.
Baguette Bags
Finally, it’s time to talk about our return to pint-sized purses, including the long, weiner dog-like style that Fendi designer Silvia Venturini Fendi coined and Carrie Bradshaw popularized: the baguette. A sleek leather one pairs perfectly with the minimalist Career Woman look of the ‘90s (think Elizabeth James in 1998’s The Parent Trap). Or look for a holographic pattern and a slightly more rounded shape as an ode to ‘90s club fashion. Just make sure your phone still fits!
