The ‘90s Wardrobe Icons that We’re Still Investing in Today
The ‘90s are known for incredible music and unforgettable pop culture moments, however it was the style from the decade that distinguished it from the rest. Revolutionary in the fashion industry, a cooler, confident aesthetic was born, embodied through a number of trends, many of which that still dominate today. From timeless leather blazers to the ever-evolving little black dress, there’s plenty of styles making a comeback. Whether you’re investing in a hint of nostalgia or revisiting an old favourite, these are some of the icons that are back in vogue.
The heritage of the little black dress is one that is infamous in the world of style. Showcased in many forms, be it an Audrey Hepburn circa Breakfast at Tiffany’s influenced piece, or an event-ready show stopping piece, embellished with premium feather trims, the little black dress is a wardrobe moment that has a timeless and glorified persona. Whilst this is a design that has been around for 100 years, the supermodel and A-list celebrities made it a prominent piece in the ‘90s in particular, with unforgettable moments including Princess Diana’s infamous revenge dress, the beauty of this piece truly stands in its simplicity.
Androgynous Tailoring
Androgynous dressing became a statement of feminism and power from the 1950s, but it was during the ‘90s that designers started crafting clothes with a unisex audience in mind. As well as this, women would foray into the men’s department in search of oversized designs, be it a relaxed fit T-shirt or men’s shirt. As well as this, women’s tailoring took a new shaped, favouring a more oversized, draped effect – borrowed from the boys. Herod in many of the period’s cinematic universe, when it came to suiting, it’s the bigger the better – something that’s a must in modern tailoring.
Underwear as Outerwear
The ‘90s is an era that’s known for its daring exuberance, and whilst oversized masculine dressing was one side of this, it was also a time where sensuality reigned, with underwear as outerwear celebrated on both the catwalks and in the streets. Cami dresses, exposed corsetry and lace bras became more than just an undergarment – instead they became a statement, a focal piece in outfitting and empowering its wearer. Today, where there’s no style rules the underwear as outerwear trend continues – be it a subtle hint of lace, or a head-to-toe outfit that exudes sex appeal.
Satin Dresses
The seamless minimalism of the ‘90s is one of the biggest things that made it such a momentous period in fashion, with an outfit shaped, or simply comprised of one central piece. A sumptuously soft satin slip dress, most commonly a mini or midi dress was typically worn as a more casual option, layered with a classic white T-shirt underneath, and completed with trainers or chunky boots. Worn alone, a satin dress can be transformed into an evening look, removing the T-shirt and changing daytime footwear into a statement heeled shoe. An easy addition, a neutral style has a multitude of outfitting opportunity.
The tenacity of ‘90s wardrobes is what makes it such a dynamic period, and why it continues to influence today’s dressing. Whilst hemlines were gradually getting higher from the ‘60s, the late nineties presented some of the shortest skirts yet. Be it a checked pleated mini skirt, a premium leather piece or a glamorous evening piece, the most confident of women dared to go with bare legs or simply wore their skirt with black tights as a more reserved alternative.
The Classic Cardigan
Cardigans have had style prominence for decades, never really leaving the spotlight - however, during the ‘90s the classic cardigan took a new, more fashionable form. Available in a multitude of colours, it became more than just a layer. Sans anything underneath, it’s best in a thin, lightweight material, slightly thicker than that of a top. Whether in a slightly cropped cut, paired with a high-waisted pair of trousers, or alternatively alongside a pencil skirt as an office-appropriate ensemble, they work with many looks. The versatility of the buttons down the front present a multitude of options on how to wear, be it open at the top or secured with one single button as a more risqué alternative.
A ‘90s revival that’s been welcomed with open arms is luxury leather. An investment that’s truly transcendent and has been forever in style, right now leather has returned to a more vintage-inspired form. An oversized leather blazer is undoubtedly the champion, both then and now, however when it comes to curating a leather look, more is truly more. Paired with leather trousers, embrace a rock’n’roll influenced look in traditional tones of noir for a true classic appeal. Retro-influenced brown leather is also having a resurgence, best executed in the form of a trench coat or a supple, buttery soft midi skirt.
Considered Co-ords
A coordinated moment has been a strong style influencer over recent years, providing outfit inspiration not only as a complete outfit, but also as separates with a mix and match agenda – truly making the most of the investment. Be it a matching jacket and pleated skirt combination, a coordinated outfit created by a colour matched pairing or a reimagination of the tailoring and leather trends that were also so prominent in this era.