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30 fashion trends from the '90s that are making a MAJOR comeback
Trends come and go, but the '90s are forever.
By Lauren Adhav
The '90s were a revolutionary decade for fashion, and whether you loved or hated denim overalls, Adidas slides, or spaghetti-strap crop tops, many trends are making a comeback and are here to stay. Click through to see how your favourite — or most reviled — trends are being updated with a modern twist.
Adidas Slides
In the '90s you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who didn't own these fresh slides, and now you wish you didn't get rid of yours. They've been spotted on models from Gigi Hadid to Suki Waterhouse (pictured here), and even Gucci is getting in on the sporty style.
Adidas Performance Women's Adilette CF Ultra Stripes, ADIDAS (Available at Amazon)
Animal Backpacks
The '90s were all about cutesy accessories, including fluffy, animal-shaped backpacks. The trend appeared at Philipp Plein's Autumn/Winter 2018 runway show, in which this teddy bear was covered entirely with rhinestones.
Fuzzy Teddy Bear Backpack, ETSY, £40
Claw Clips
Nowadays these clips are used to hold your hair up when you don't want to get it wet in the shower, but in the '90s, these babies were the ultimate chic hair accessory. (Jennifer Aniston's character Rachel Green in Friends was an avid fan.) The were spotted in the wild at Alexander Wang's Autumn/Winter '18 show.
Open Claw Clip Set, KITSCH (Available at Shopbop), £14.60
Bandanas
Bandanas were such a versatile accessory to have in your '90s wardrobe, because you could wear them in your hair! Around your neck! As a shirt! The possibilities really were endless. R13 brought them back in its Autumn/Winter '18 runway show complete with a trucker hat and leather cuffs.
Paisley Bandanas, AMAZON, £2.21
Bike Shorts
Spandex bike shorts were perfect to wear in or out of the gym, and even figures like Madonna and Princess Diana were fans of the style. They've recently been welcomed back into the fashion fold thanks to Kim Kardashian and Off-White — Naomi Campbell modelled a white pair at the brand's Spring 2018 runway show.
Women's Stretch Jersey Bike Short, (Available at Amazon), £8.99
Bucket Hats
Bucket hats were one of those divisive trends — you either loved them or wouldn't be caught dead in one. But whatever your stance, just know that they appeared at Lacoste's Autumn/Winter 2018 show in Paris, and they actually looked kind of good?
Casual Hat, (Available at Amazon), £4.99
Cargo Trousers
Cargo trousers had so many extra pockets (usually secured with velcro) that you didn't even need a purse. Bonus points if yours were camouflage. Bella Hadid rocked a pair with a cropped jacket while out in New York City, and she really made a case for the style's comeback.
Camo Print Cargo Trousers, Missguided, £35
Cat-Eye Sunglasses
Exaggerated cat-eye frames really peaked in the '90s. Now, the style is more modern, as evidenced by this tortoiseshell pair Selena Gomez paired with a navy off-the-shoulder dress.
Cat-Eye Acetate Sunglasses, LE SPECS (Available at Net-A-Porter), £75
Chain Belts
These belts were the ultimate grunge-era accessory, best worn with a flannel shirt and your fave ripped jeans. Bella Hadid gave the nostalgic piece a modern twist by pairing it with pinstripe trousers.
Women Narrow Belt, AMAZON, £4.99
Combat Boots
Black combat boots (specifically Dr. Martens) were *the* footwear trend of the '90s, also popularized by the grunge scene of the decade. Pair them with a floral dress to give your look some edge.
DR. MARTENS (Available at Amazon), from £74.99
Bum bags
Fanny packs bore the brunt of many fashion jokes, but in the '90s they were revered as a brilliant way to carry all your sh*t hands free. Today, these genius belt bags are back with a vengeance, spotted on everyone from style bloggers to Kendall Jenner.
Bum Bag, URBAN OUTFITTERS, £20
Fishnet Tights
Fishnet tights were another grunge-era accessory that were quickly adopted by '90s women. Today, they're often worn under ripped jeans, as socks, or with dainty high heels.
Fishnet tights, AMAZON, £7.79
High-Waisted Mom Jeans
Mom jeans are back and better than ever. The high-waisted baggy style has been popularised again thanks to street-style stars, models like Gigi Hadid (pictured here), and clothing brands. Despite all the times the trousers have been the butt of fashion jokes, the silhouette is actually flattering as hell.
Mom jeans, Topshop, £85
Matching Plaid Sets
Who could forget Cher's iconic yellow plaid blazer and skirt set from Clueless? Countless brands included matching patterns in their Autumn/Winter '18 collections, including Michael Kors and Versace (pictured here).
Checked jacket, Topshop, £69
Mini Backpacks
Remember when you'd try and fit all the day's essentials in a pint-size pack during the trend's heyday in the '90s? And now, the backpacks are back and smaller than ever!
Mini Bayswater, Mulberry, £695
Wide-Legged Trousers
For years, it's been all about the skinny jean. But prepare to embrace extremely wide-legged pants, much like model Karlie Kloss's pictured here.
Wide-Cut Trousers, H&M, £39.99
Denim Jackets with Patches
Ironing or stitching patches on your denim jacket was a '90s way of expressing your individuality and personality in one garment. Fans of the style should be happy to hear that these jackets are "cool" again — this style, spotted at Fashion Week, had designer labels sewn into the back with an embroidered rose.
Patched denim jacket, Forever 21, £30
Platform Trainers
Platform trainers were definitely for those who loved the comfort of trainers but still wanted to look six inches taller — Baby Spice was a huge fan. Gucci helped bring the '90s trend back with its multicolour striped platform sneakers (pictured here), along with brands like Superga, Converse, and Vans, which also offer platform versions of their popular shoes.
Converse platform trainers, £59.99
Scrunchies
If you had vivid memories of getting ready for elementary school, you likely remember throwing one of these babies in your hair. Models wore them at Maryam Nassir Zadeh's Spring/Summer '18 runway show, and even Balenciaga offers the nostalgic trend to purchase.
Scrunchies 12 pack, Amazon, £9.99
Slip Dresses
Delicate slip dresses were a staple in every '90s girl's wardrobe — just ask Kate Moss and Courtney Love. Today, everyone from Hailey Baldwin to Emily Ratajkowski (pictured here) are fans of the style, which often is paired with layered choker necklaces — another very '90s look.
Midi Cami Slip Dress, ASOS, £18
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