1990s Fashion: Subcultures and Trends

1990s fashion evolved throughout the decade. As early 1990s style showcased bright colors and athletic wear reminiscent of the ‘80s, late 1990s fashion transitioned to sophisticated slip dresses and preppy prints. The music and film industry influenced popular trends that came out of the decade, styling grunge looks, denim overalls, mini skirts, and cropped cardigans. Trends from the 1990s continue to influence fashion today, as athleisure and streetwear remain popular.

Across industries, 1990s fashion icons shaped some of the most prevalent trends of the decade.

• Celebrities: Famous movie stars and athletes also became influential style icons throughout the ‘90s. Unlike most ‘90s fashion icons who opted for minimalism, Jennifer Lopez styled elaborate and colorful beaded dresses, adding glam to fashion in the decade. While basketball player Dennis Rodman fashioned low, baggy jeans and body piercings, actors Freddie Prinze Jr. and Brad Pitt wore chic, preppy ‘90s outfits that included Oxford shirts and thin sunglasses. Lisa Bonet—inspired by both men's and women’s wear—mixed and matched different statement pieces in every outfit.
• Musicians: The music industry also shaped 1990s fashion, as hip-hop culture turned oversized jackets and baggy jeans into popular casual wear. Singer Aaliyah became known for her effortless and minimalist style after popularizing crop tops, low-rise jeans, and athleisure. Inspired by streetwear, other woman singers and groups—including TLC and The Spice Girls—were also ‘90s fashion icons, wearing combat boots, wide-leg pants, and sportswear on stage. In the world of men’s fashion, rappers, such as LL Cool J, Biggie, and Tupac, wore Timberland boots, bucket hats, tracksuits, and baggy cargo pants, while grunge artists, such as Kurt Cobain and Mark Arm, wore Converse sneakers, graphic T-shirts, and Aviator sunglasses.
• Supermodels: In the fashion industry, top models landed the covers of magazines distributed worldwide. 1990s fashion became a global phenomenon as supermodels—such as Yasmeen Ghauri, Devon Aoki, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz, Noami Campell, Kate Moss, and Christy Turlington—showcased ‘90s fashion across runways, TV screens, and editorial shoots.

While there were consistent themes under the umbrella of ‘90s fashion, there were also key subcultures of the 1990s that each had its own unique look. Below are three main subcultures of 1990s fashion.

• Grunge: Dark flannel shirts and ripped jeans became a signature outfit of the ‘90s grunge style. As bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam grew in popularity, this casual, laid-back look became a mainstream part of ‘90s fashion. Doc Martens and combat boots were also a staple in the grunge subculture.
• Preppy: The preppy subculture of ‘90s fashion pulled inspiration from hip-hop culture. Oversized shirts, high-waisted jeans, and Sperry boat shoes were common pieces associated with ‘90s preppy culture. Plaid mini skirts paired with a tank top and matching blazer were also a classic ‘90s preppy look featured in films and MTV music videos, such as Britney Spears’s “Baby One More Time” video.
• Punk: Inspired by skatewear, the punk trend associated with ‘90s fashion incorporated bold patterns, bright spiky hair, and black leather jackets. Ripped jeans and choker necklaces also became signature pieces worn throughout the punk era of the 1990s.

The decade's fashion trends encompassed glam and grunge looks, with casual streetwear-inspired outfits and chic, high-fashion looks. Below are popular accessories and garments associated with ‘90s style:

• Slip dress: This simple, spaghetti strap garment embodied the minimalist approach that dominated 1990s fashion. The mini silk slip dress also played a key role in defining the underwear-as-outerwear trend, which actresses including Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow brought to the red carpet.
• Chain belts: Inspired by hip-hop, chain belts are a type of belt made out of linked metal. Rather than fitting through the belt loops of a pair of pants like a traditional buckle belt, a chain-link belt typically loops around the mid-waist or hips and hangs down, sometimes wrapping around the body more than once. During the ‘90s, chain belts appeared on the runway in couture shows for ready-to-wear collections.
• Sportswear: Athletic wear—such as oversized jerseys, cropped T-shirts, and tracksuits—became a staple in ‘90s fashion. Performers often wore baggy sports jerseys on stage while other figureheads brought sportswear into everyday fashion. For example, Princess Diana often wore a pair of fitted biker shorts with an oversized sweatshirt and a pair of white sneakers. This relaxed, workout look became an iconic image of ‘90s casual wear.
• Scrunchies: Worn as a hair accessory or bracelet, scrunchies were a popular addition to casual, everyday wear in the ‘90s. Often, scrunchies added a pop of color to an outfit and secured a high ponytail or half-up, half-down hairstyle.
• Graphic tees: Both women and menswear during the ‘90s included oversized graphic tees. Baggy T-shirts with colorful and patterned designs were a laid-back way to make a fashion statement. A typical grunge outfit included a band T-shirt, pair of jeans, and beanie hat.
• Overalls: Actors on popular ‘90s sitcoms, such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Friends, and Full House often wore denim overalls with one strap down. This casual outfit became another signature trend during the 1990s. Actors wore a bold, patterned long-sleeve shirt or a simple white turtleneck under the overalls depending on the look.

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