Are the 90s Making a Comeback?

Whether it's a minimalistic look inspired by Jennifer Aniston, or grunge, denim, faux fur jackets, slip dresses, spaghetti straps, mesh… Even our favorite accessories like oval and cat eye sunglasses, skinny scarves, knee high socks, scrunchies and claw clips, there’s a plethora of designs and accessories to choose from. 

The 90s revolutionized fashion, teaching buyers how to dress with timeless elegance and a bit of fun in a way that has clearly withstood the ages, and continues to inspire our everyday looks while being iconic.

Pictured here is Victor Trinel ‘28 with a pair of dark-wash denim jeans, a white collared t-shirt layered with a navy blue crew neck sweater, and a beige jacket draped over one shoulder. 

Victor took inspiration from the 90s for a timeless and chic look, while utilizing  a defining element of 90s fashion: layering. Layers serve both a functional and a stylistic purpose towards a look, while contributing to the era’s “anything goes” aesthetic. The decade’s layered looks reflected a mix-and-match approach that allowed people to combine various colors, textures, and styles into a singular outfit, allowing for a personalized and inspired vibe. There are many forms of layering that one can use, like the iconic 90s staples of a flannel and a tee, or slip dress over a white shirt or turtleneck, and in Victor's case, an oversized jacket and fitted sweater to contribute to the depth and dimension of an elevated everyday outfit. This approach to styling encourages experimentation, giving wearers freedom to express their individuality through their clothes, and influencing the decade’s lasting impact on fashion trends today. Let’s all give thanks to Victor Trinel and his layered outfit. 

Julian Van Damme ‘28, is captured in a 90s staple, denim on denim. Despite being referred to as a ‘bold look’ in recent years, fashionistas have begun to dust off their matching denim sets for an effortlessly cool and put-together outfit. Double denim has certainly made its comeback, and was a defining trend in the 90s, embodying the era’s unapologetic approach to fashion. Popularized by celebrities, the denim look was often paired with a basic white tee, chunky sneakers, and accessories like belts or necklaces. Modernly, people are matching their denim in different colored washes, or seen here by Julien with different textures, like the complimentary blue and white detailed flower stitches, or by pairing fitted and oversized pieces to give the look a fresh, modern twist while still honoring the iconic and carefree spirit of the 90s. Denim on denim can also be worn in a variety of ways, maybe a denim mini skirt with a matching jacket or vest for a fun night out, a denim maxi skirt and top for a casual day in the city over the summer… the possibilities are endless, and it is clear the denim on denim has once again cemented itself in all fashionistas' wardrobes.

Pictured here is Nathalie Wilewski ‘28, rocking the casual ‘model off duty’ white tee and baggy jeans, with the ever loved oval sunglasses hanging over the neckline of her tee. A look made famous by Jennifer Aniston in the 90s, is now an everyday staple for all girls all over the world. This timeless pairing is minimalistic yet, iconic, showcasing the era’s shift toward casual, comfortable style that still felt cool and intentional. A plain white tee—slightly oversized, often with rolled sleeves—provided a clean, fresh contrast to a pair of blue jeans, usually straight-leg or slightly baggy, embracing a relaxed silhouette. The beauty of this look lay in its simplicity and versatility; it could be dressed up with a leather jacket and kitten heels, or dressed down with a pair of sneakers. Worn by everyone from models, to actors, to grunge fans, the white tee and jeans combo became a unifying uniform of the 90s casual wear, with a hint of personalization, like the fun stars on the back of Nathalie’s jeans, that continue to inspire today’s fashion.

Now let’s talk claw clips, they’re back and it’s like they never left! I’m sure you’ve seen those viral tiktoks of the ‘takeover of the claw clips’, or maybe you’ve been sitting in a lecture and have noticed that 80% of the girls have their hair up in this effortlessly cool and functional accessory. Well, these iconic 90s hair pieces, once a staple for effortlessly pinning up chunky layers or creating the beloved messy bun, have recently reappeared in the style scene, and they’re more popular than ever. They’re adored for their mix of functionality and style, managing to look both casual and chic in a way that hair ties simply can’t compete with. 

What’s making this comeback even better is the huge variety of claw clips available today. The 90s mostly saw them in neutral shades or the classic tortoiseshell patterns that Mabel Propper ‘28 is showcasing. But now they come in every color, shape, and size. From oversized pastel clips to sparkly rhinestone ones like Isabelle Kristensson’s (‘28), today’s claw clips let you match your style to your accessories. 

To sum it all up, the 90s are a simple and timeless way to approach your outfits. With iconic trends like denim on denim, claw clips, and layering, the spirit of this era has found its way back into our everyday wardrobes. Embracing this era’s fashion allows us to relive the 90s through our clothes and have fun, bold, and unapologetic combinations in 2024 that made the 90s so unique. 

Photography by Charlotte El Hage