Best 90’s fashion for women. Easy, casual and trendy, women are embracing 90’s fashion by blending classic and modern looks to create unique everyday styles. From dresses, pants and tops to accessories, shoes, and hairstyles, there’s plenty of 90’s fashion outfit worth wearing this year.
The trick to rocking style is learning how to dress in complementary pieces without getting too nostalgic. If you’re having a hard time shopping for cute outfits or wearing the clothes of the decade, we can help you find the right look and show you how to wear it today.
For new ideas and inspiration, check out our guide to all the best 90’s fashion trends to explore right now. Whether you’re trying to figure out what to wear to a 90’s fashion themed party or just want to fit some cool 1990s style outfits into your wardrobe, you’ll love these inspired outfit ideas for women!
Fashion in the 1990s
Like history, fashion has a tendency to repeat itself, recycling old styles with new twists to create the latest trends. Recently, 90’s fashion trends such as chokers, crop tops, platforms, and mini backpacks have returned. Influential celebrities like Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa were recently spotted sporting 90’s inspired outfits.
Colorful crop tops, matching pants, and square heels complemented by small rectangular glasses have inspired modern fashion. To make this style easy, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular 90’s fashion style trends that are worth wearing today.
90’s Fashion clothes
This decade marked a different era in women’s fashion which was heavily influenced by artists such as Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, and No Doubt. These styles range from preppy to bohemian and urban to grunge, and are based on a rebellious approach to fashion. Using different materials, unique printed patterns, and dazzling metals, ’90s clothing offered a bold look that fit perfectly with the cultural aesthetic of the time.
Flared Jeans 90’s Fashion
While flared jeans were often associated with the hippy movement of the 1970s, this wide-leg denim trend also dominated the 1990s. Before skinny jeans became fashionable, oversized and baggy pants were very popular.
To keep this look trendy while retaining a 90’s fashion feel, pair flared jeans with a black satin collared tank top with a matching square toe heel. Complete your jeans with a cotton rib tank top and complete the outfit by adding rectangular glasses, a choker necklace, and a mini bag.
Chokers 90’s Fashion
Chokers are a classic 90’s fashion accessory. Popularized by celebrities like Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani and eventually adopted by Hollywood girls, the choker necklace provides an edgy yet sexy style. Tight at the neck, this collar-like necklace comes in a variety of designs. Some are made of stretchy fabric and come with amulets, beads, and gems.
Chokers are versatile and suitable for any occasion. If you’re looking for a choker that’s just right for the job, opt for a dainty gold choker. If you’re attending an outdoor music festival and want a grunge look, choose a leather necklace embellished with crystals of your choice.
Hoop Earrings 90’s Fashion
While hoop earrings were a trend in the 90’s fashion, these gorgeous accessories are timeless. However, women who have never worn hoops may be intimidated into trying them. These ring-shaped earrings come in a variety of styles and sizes, and which type of hoop you choose will determine the amount of attitude, flair, and cuteness you desire. From hugs to big hoops, this piece of jewelry goes well with most 90s casual outfits.
If you are interested in an edgy and sexy style, wear a pair of large gold hoops. However, if you prefer to complete your style with a non-gold ring, you can pair your outfit with cool silver hoop or tortoiseshell earrings.
crop tops
Women in the 90’s fashion had an affinity for crop tops with low-rise pants. This cute belly-show top comes in a variety of styles, including cropped halter, short sleeves, and cami. Again, you can wear this ’90s style with low or high rise jeans.
If you want to add style, you can combine a plain crop top with a patterned maxi skirt with an attractive thigh cleavage and platform sandals. A favorite of celebrities and street style fashionistas, crop tops are an essential fashion piece for summer.
Overalls
Overalls offer an effortless and casual style that can be worn in a variety of ways. Worn by men and women, these sleeveless denim jumpsuits were considered a wardrobe staple in the decade. Comfortable and cool, there were many ‘90s overall outfits to try, and it all depended on the fashion statement you wanted to make.
For a classic look, wear a sleeveless denim jumpsuits with a flannel tied around your waist and low top Converse sneakers. As for accessories, you can add a quartz crystal choker. For an edgy outfit, wear black linen overalls paired with a matching turtleneck and Doc Marten combat boots. To accessorize the look, get a mini leather backpack.
Scrunchies 90’s Fashion
Scrunchies were all the rage throughout the ‘90s. As a favorite fashion item that could complete any cute casual outfit with a pop of color, scrunchies were a major women’s hair accessory. From bright colors to satin fabric to velvet styles, hair scrunchies come in many different designs.
To modernize this accessory, you can choose scrunchies in neutral muted hues like white, gray, black, beige, brown, navy blue, emerald and maroon. You can also experiment with different materials for your scrunchie such as silk, velvet and sequin.
Once you have selected a style that complements your outfit, you can add a scrunchie to your hair by styling it in a messy ponytail or high bun.
90’s Fashion Shoes
Platforms, sneakers, combat boots, and square toe heels were popular fashion trends in 90’s fashion shoes. Simple and bulky footwear styles were fashionable, making Doc Martens boots, Steve Madden slip-on platforms, Birkenstocks , and FILA or Adidas tennis shoes a common look.
If you are going for a grunge vibe, you can wear a long black maxi dress, with a leather jacket and Doc Marten combat boots. You can also switch out the military boots, and find boots with a huge platform to add to that edgy style.
If your outfit consists of a colorful matching crop top and skirt or a lavender cowl neck slip dress, wear platforms or strappy heels.
For a fashionable urban style, pick outfits that have a basic cropped or ribbed top with jogger pants. With styles like these, you can look effortlessly chic with FILA, Adidas Superstar shoes, and Converse’s Chuck Taylors.
Unique and stylish for the times, the most popular shoes in the ‘90s will allow you to experience a range of styles and looks.
90’s Fashion Hip Hop
Hip hop had a strong influence on 90’s fashion. For example, colorful overalls became popular after members of TLC wore them. Artists like Aaliyah and Destiny’s Child added their flair to urban styles for women. During this time, popular street style brands like FUBU began to emerge, making hip hop fashion even more mainstream.
If you like Aaliyah’s sporty hip hop style, you’ll want to pick pieces that are low-maintenance. An iconic look inspired by this artist would include a bandana, athletic windbreaker, Calvin Klein sports bra, black joggers, and white Adidas. For an outfit inspired by Destiny’s Child, wear a Tommy Hilfiger logo top, low-rise jeans, and white sneakers.
The top hip hop fashion brands of the ‘90s included Calvin Klein, Guess Jeans, Tommy Hilfiger, and Polo. Luckily these brands and all the same styles are still available in stores today so you can recreate the attire easily.
90’s Fashion Grunge
Grunge fashion was inspired by icons like Courtney Love, Gwen Stefani and Kim Gordon. Ultimately, 1990s grunge fashion for women can be summed up as feisty, edgy, and authentic. Outfits that feature flannel shirts and distressed jeans are equally comfortable and cool.
One version of grunge style consists of wearing a mini slip dress with fishnets and leather boots. For a modern twist, you can wear a leopard mini dress with fishnets and ankle boots. For more attitude, some women prefer wearing ribbed tops with patterned cargo pants and platform boots. Style this outfit with a crop tank top, low-rise jeans and suede creepers while styling your hair in space buns.
Styling grunge outfits should be effortless and almost anti-fashion. For instance, another authentic look to try is a black dress with a flannel tied around your waist paired with combat boots, Mary Janes or Vans sneakers. You can also accessorize with a choker necklace and studs to complement this classic grunge style.
90’s Fashion Celebrity
As with every decade, the 1990s had its fair share of celebrity fashion icons. Some of the top 90’s fashion celebrity fashion trends came from Hollywood stars like Christina Applegate, Jennifer Aniston, Winona Ryder, Kate Moss, Lisa Bonet, Madonna, and Britney Spears. Each of these celebrities had uniquely different styles.
Christina Applegate’s style was simple. You could replicate her look by wearing a crop top and high-rise jeans with a choker and boots. Jennifer Aniston’s style was chic and minimal. Recreate her iconic style by wearing basic pieces like a slip dress, crop top, high-rise denim and midi skirts with square-toe heels.
Winona Ryder’s style reflects ‘90s grunge, and her look can be captured by wearing a leather jacket, basic shirt, turtleneck and high-rise jeans with combat boots. Beyond this, Britney Spears was the queen of crop tops, while Lisa Bonet rocked bold patterns on the red carpet.
From musicians to actors, models, and designers, the best ‘90s celebrity outfits are timeless and cute. However, while most 90’s fashion celebrity fashion eventually made its way into mainstream pop culture, there were obviously a number of fashion styles that flopped.
90’s Fashion Hairstyles
The best 90’s fashion hairstyles for women were cute, playful, and stylish. One of the most popular ‘90s hairstyles was Jennifer Aniston’s “The Rachel” haircut on Friends. However, this cut and style was not the only trendy hairstyle of the decade.
Others loved the longer choppy pixie cut with minimal bangs, similar to Winona Ryder’s haircut in the 1994 rom-com Reality Bites. Other trendy styles included a bob with baby bangs, sleek straight hair styled with a deep middle part, pigtails, and half-up half-down hairdos.
From messy high buns with strands of hair framing the face to high ponytails and braids, 90’s fashion hair was never boring. These styles can be accessorized with scrunchies, colorful or patterned barrettes and butterfly clips.
Hair styling products include hairspray to keep the style fresh, mousse for a wavy finish, a crimp iron for an undone braid look, and a blow dryer to add volume. Feminine and sexy, women’s hair in the decade was always on-point.
90’s Fashion Trends
Wearing 90’s fashion trends in the modern day can be a little tricky. Women will need to rework the best outfits with modern styles in mind to keep the looks relevant and trendy. Like any other decade, it’s important to have a fresh spin on the vintage look.
The best way to ensure that your wardrobe doesn’t look aged is to mix quintessential 90’s fashion pieces with more current items. Classic Superstars with cute Lululemon leggings or Everlane jeans and a crop top can be hot.
Furthermore, a chic twist for a slip cowl neck dress can be adding a strappy heel with gold hoops and a high ponytail. Crop tops can be worn with skinny or boyfriend jeans, while sporting cute pumps and a messy high bun with a scrunchie. While athleisure is cool and casual, pair a crop top with black joggers, sneakers and two braids for a relaxed ‘90s look.
Regardless of the style you choose, feel free to experiment with various 1990s fashion trends for women while adding a modern touch for a refreshing style. Youthful, fun and carefree, embrace the look and have fun.