From mom jeans to platform sneakers, 90s fashion was absolutely iconic. With 90s nostalgia currently at an all-time high, we're taking a look back at some of the top trends from the decade. Whether you want to incorporate some 90s vibes into your wardrobe or you're just looking for a cool idea for a costume party, read on to see our top throwback fashion trends. If you're looking for more 90s inspo, you can also check out our favourite 90s beauty trends.
Nothing screams 90s quite like Cher Horowitz's pleated skirt and matching plaid jacket set from Clueless. Part of the preppy trend, the plaid skirt became a popular style choice for wealthy teens everywhere in the 90s as it directly contrasted the "grunge" trend of the time (being the same as everyone else is like, totally buggin'). Steal Cher's style and stand out from the crowd by pairing a plaid with knee-high socks and Mary Jane heels for a girly, yet totally trendy look.
After the maximal styles of the 80s, fashion became a lot more low-key and gifted us with one of our favourite fashion items to date – the slip dress. As the trend of wearing lingerie as daywear took hold, the slinky slip became the literal embodiment of the "stripped back" nature the 90s is renowned for. The slip dress has recently started trending again, making it super easy to get your hands on one (or many).
Rather than luxe jewellery, it was the simple, plastic choker that took the fashion world by storm in the 90s. In fact, chokers were such a massive fashion statement that they're still around today. Pick one up for a couple of bucks to give your outfit a bit of edge or, if you're not into plastic, invest in a velvet, ribbon or leather version instead.
The Spice Girls were possibly the most iconic thing to come out of the 90s and with them came platform sneakers. The shoes are every bit as comfortable as ordinary sneakers, plus they have the added bonus of lending you some extra height. Try wearing a pair next time you hit the club to stylishly avoid the pain that comes from dancing in heels all night long.
The 90s were a liberating era for women, with girl power and sex positivity stealing the limelight. Pop princesses like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera led the charge by rocking crop tops and other skin-baring styles on stage, helping to push women's fashion from conservative to freeing. Next time you need a confidence boost, try pairing a cute crop with your favourite jeans for an instant power rush. Who run the world? Girls.
Originally big in the 70s, corduroy came back into fashion again two decades later. The highly textured fabric brought a new dimension to outfits and was quickly used to make everything from dresses to trousers. As a dense fabric, corduroy is perfect for the autumn or winter months, though you can also shop skirts and accessories made from the material if you feel like rocking it in the sunnier seasons too.
Effortlessly cool, denim overalls were the ultimate weekend outfit in the 90s. From Jennifer Aniston to the Olsen twins, everyone was quick to jump on the low-maintenance trend. And, with designers like Alice McCall now offering up their own version of the style, it's totally acceptable to start wearing them everywhere again. Bonus points if you wear them with one strap undone.
Hoop earrings have long been a fashion staple, but no one loved them more than fashionistas in the 90s. The classic ring-shaped earrings are incredibly easy to wear and instantly dress up any outfit they're paired with. The only rule when it comes to rocking them is the bigger, the better.
Velvet originally surfaced in the 90s as part of the grunge trend, but quickly went on to become a favourite fabric of the time. From slip dresses to scrunchies, velvet had a major moment during the decade. While it's not quite so easy to find these days, it's definitely still around. If you're looking for an original outfit for your next big event, try giving a velvet dress or skirt a go.
Just when you had forgotten all about the jelly sandals of your youth, they've come right back into vogue again. Comfortable and cute, these bad boys were a total 90s staple and we're a little bit stoked to see them back again. Pick them up in a variety of cute colours this summer to show off your pedicure, while still keeping your toes protected.
Before the regrettable low-rise jeans trend of the 2000s, it was all about the mom jeans. Despite being a little on the baggy side, the high-waisted silhouette is actually insanely flattering. Pick up a pair in a true 90s light-wash colourway and discover a comfort that you've never known in jeans before.
Animal print is the trend that will never die, with the style seeing a revival every couple of years. The 90s were no exception, with leopard being the print of choice for the time. From trench coats to mini skirts, the leopard print made quite a statement for a fashion era that was otherwise relatively low-key. Pick up a few staple pieces in the style or try shopping for leopard print accessories if the style is a little too bold for your taste.
90s style was all about comfortable, low-key looks, so it's no surprise that the chunky dad sneaker turned out to be one of the biggest trends of the time. For those who need catching up, dad sneakers are basically the ugly sandshoes you wore throughout primary school. Only now, thanks to celebrities like Bella Hadid, they can finally be considered cool. Confused? Honestly, so are we, but at least they're comfortable.
They may not seem that revolutionary now, but spaghetti straps were yet another example of women's fashion becoming more liberating in the 90s. The thin straps became the major "going out" style of the time and were also considered extremely elegant (think Gwyneth Paltrow's 1999 baby pink Oscars gown).
The ultimate 90s accessory, snapback caps were the epitome of cool, especially if you wore them backwards. Made popular by celebrities like Will Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, snapbacks were considered to be pretty bad-ass and are still a staple of streetwear fashion today.
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Lauren Chaplin was Finder's senior shopping writer, covering the latest in fashion, home, tech, beauty and wellbeing. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of South Australia and has previously been published in Women Love Tech, The Carousel and South Australian newspaper The Bunyip.
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