60 Shoes From the ’90s You Forgot You Were Obsessed With
I also threw in some early-’00s styles because I couldn’t help myself.
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Fashion trends have a way of going, coming back, leaving, running in circles, returning, and leaving again. Seriously, just looking at the standout fall 2022 shoe trends, you can already find some familiar favorites. (Sky-high platform heels? Heck yes.). So it's safe to say, if you have a pair of favorite shoes now, store them in the back of your closet instead of throwing them out. Chances are in a decade or two, you're going to want to wear them again (or your child will want to rock them to school).
As you all already know, y2k and '90s styles are storming back onto our social feeds. It's not just dad sneakers and biker shorts anymore, it's low-rise pants, chokers, and a whole lot more. If you grew up in the '90s, then you probably definitely wore a handful (IF! NOT! ALL!) of these shoes. Meanwhile, your parents were like, "Why does my daughter insist on wearing clear sandals that always look dingy and offer no arch support?" Times were good, footwear was rubbery, but let's be glad the internet wasn't as developed.
Here are 60 of our favorite '90s shoes that we either wish were coming back or are already returning into our lives. And if you were around in those times, I hope you feel a nice pang of nostalgia as you scroll ;)
Clear Mules
Mules truly reigned supreme in the '90s, and thus clear mules were introduced to the world. Did we care that they provided zero comfort? Absolutely not.
Fur-Lined Boots
If you stepped into school with these bad boys on, you knew you were an It girl. Amazingly enough, forever It girl J.Lo's shoe brand is bringing them back.
Buckled Booties
Something about buckled booties had our hearts racing with excitement. Stepping out in one of these just made you feel like you could conquer the world.
Nude Pumps
Putting these nude pumps on felt like such an adult power move. They were like the most appropriate shoes for literally any "upscale" event.
Scrunched Leather Boots
At the time, it felt like no other boots looked as good with jeans as did these. The slouchy fit gave an effortless look to your whole outfit.
Coach Loafers
Owning a pair of coach loafers was like a status symbol in some circles. These were definitely the shoes you wore to your first interview, and for years on at your first job.
Dr. Scholl's Classic Wood Sandals
Listen, if Carrie Bradshaw wore it on SATC, then it was an immediate hit. These Dr. Scholl's sandals were no exception.
New Balance 624 Cross Trainers
No shoe has made quite the return to mainstream fashion like the dad sneaker. And while there are many variations to the shoe now, let's pay respect to the original dad sneaker: New Balance 624's.
Faux-Diamond Strap Heels
When that day finally came for you to shine in a special occasion, be it a Quinceañera, Bat Mitzvah, or any event that called for a dress, these bejeweled sandals were the shoes you slipped on.
Rhinestone Studded Sandals
What was it about rhinestones that had everyone reaching for their wallets in the '90s? I'm not super certain, but hey! They're back in style again, so here you go.
Gladiator Sandals
The world seemingly revolved around these gladiator shoes. Whether you opted for knee-high ones or stuck tor ankle length styles, there wasn't a girl around school who didn't sport at least one pair like these.
Reebok Pump Shoes
You were never as cool as you were when you were pumping air into your Reebok shoes. It just gave you that extra plush look that was all the rage back then.
Tory Burch Sandals
These Tory Burch sandals sure had a hold on us, right? You probably had them, or envied everyone who did. At least we can rejoice at the fact that they are still in production!
Plush Slides
There was something so nonchalant about slipping into a pair of puffy slides and striding around like there wasn't a worry in the world. Now you can recreate that chill vibe in your choice of five different colors.
Plaid Chunky Heels
The year is 1995, and Clueless just decided that yellow plaid is the new It look. Naturally, you were going to have to wear the print in the chunkiest, highest heels you could find.
Chunky Sneakers
The chunkier the sneaker, the cooler you were. Yes, it may have felt like walking around with unnecessary weight on your feet, but what did that matter when your look absolutely slayed?
Ugg Boots
Who would've thought that Uggs could make a comeback they way they did. There was a time when it felt like literally everyone owned at least one pair of these fluffy boots.
Heelys
First, you saw these wheeled sneaks in endless infomercials and ads; then, you begged your parents for a few months, until they finally caved and got you a pair of Heelys. Iconic.
Soft Knee-High Boots
These were the most stylish boots you could get your hands on in junior-high. My 15-year-old self felt extraordinarily sophisticated and adult in these.
Lace-Up Booties with Pouch
Wearing these shoes was an absolute power move. They still deliver a '90s cool-girl aesthetic, that, to be honest, will probably remain relevant for the decades to come.
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