From Cringe To Comeback Worthy
The '90s were a chaotic playground of clashing prints and experiments that teetered on a tightrope. Fashion in that decade was bold, and some of it, frankly, still haunts our photo albums. Here is a list of the ones we'd rather forget before exploring the trends that need to return.
1. Brown Lipliner With No Lipstick
Remember when you'd line your lips with a dark brown pencil and forget the rest of your lips? Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez made it iconic in the '90s. It was spotted everywhere, from red carpets to music videos. But the harsh look was short-lived and faded as a fashion faux pas.
Gloss & Lip Liner Application by Auraline Beauty
2. Mini Backpacks
These bags were mostly ornamental—not flattering. Tommy Hilfiger and Prada took the trend to high fashion, but they were, at best, impractical. You could fit nothing but a key and some gum. Over time, they became more of a novelty and less a functional accessory.
Herschel Nova Mini Backpack Unboxing/Review + Fjallraven Kanken Comparison by Michelle Marie
3. Plastic Jelly Sandals
In the '90s, jelly sandals flooded the streets. Brands like Payless and Jellypop made them affordable, but these shoes quickly turned sweaty and uncomfortable. After the hype died, they were eventually relegated to beachwear.
4. Frosted Blue Eyeshadow
Frosted blue eyeshadow was seen everywhere, even on the red carpet. MAC Cosmetics helped propel this trend into mainstream beauty. The garish hue often clashed with most skin tones, making it a fleeting and unflattering '90s beauty fad.
5. Colorful Beads
Aaliyah made colorful bead braids an iconic part of street style. These heavy plastic beads were painstakingly threaded, strained hair, and risked damage. Their cluttered appearance made them unflattering, but it did not stop them from becoming famous all the way to Bollywood.
6. Color-Changing Mood Rings
Mood rings promised to reveal your emotions, but they only changed colors based on your body temperature. They were quirky and were most popular in the '90s when paired with puka shell necklaces. When you look back, they were a prime example of the fashion contradictions.
$5 Amazon Mood Rings And Bracelets Review!!! by Marlin
7. PVC Transparent Clothing
Transparent and uncomfortable—PVC clothing was everywhere in the '90s, thanks to designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier and brands like H&M. Lady Gaga even revived the trend briefly in the 2000s. Its garish, plastic sheen and revealing nature looked tacky most of the time.
8. Overplucked Eyebrows
Tweezers were a mandatory accessory for the '90s ladies, especially for stars like Pamela Anderson and Drew Barrymore. The ultra-thin brow made everyone look perpetually surprised. Starkly thin arches left faces looking permanently surprised or washed out.
How To Fix Thin Over Plucked Eye Brows In One Treatment by Huyana Beauty
9. Vests Over T-Shirts
The '90s were full of mismatched styles, and vests over T-shirts were of those. Worn by side characters in Friends they didn't have the cool factor they hoped for. By the end of the decade, this look was largely abandoned.
Weird fashion combination that works - vest over a tshirt! by Aleks Nevski
10. Holographic Nail Polish
Holographic nail polish had a short-lived but memorable run in the '90s, often leaving nails looking like a budget disco ball. Sally Hansen pushed out metallic, shiny polishes, but the look quickly faded, making way for modern nail trends.
Lelê Breveglieri from Suzano on Wikimedia
Oof, that was painful, wasn’t it? Did it remind you of the good ol’ days? But hey, let’s not forget all the good that came out of that decade.
1. Velvet Slip Dresses
Winona Ryder wore one to a movie premiere, and Rachel Green showed up on screen with another. Slinky and elegant, they were perfect for after-party coolness and date-night appeal. French designer Lolita Lempicka gave us these effortless beauties in the 90s.
Ever Pretty Velvet dresses by Ever-Pretty
2. Brown Toned Lipsticks
The late '90s and early 2000s saw brown lipsticks dominate. Way before Kylie Jenner's lip kit fever, Drew Barrymore and Halle Berry rocked this look. Mac's "Spice" became legendary. The trend was ahead of its time, foreshadowing today's modern inclusive skin tone trends.
3. Kitten Heel Mules
Kitten heels were an understated '90s hit. Prada introduced them on the runway on their models. Jimmy Choo made mules chic, and their low height offered better foot support than stilettos, reducing strain during extended wear.
4. Looped Pearl Necklaces
Looped pearl necklaces were a '90s gem, gracing red carpets and chic street style. Even Princess Diana was spotted wearing these elegant, hand-strung strands. Today, with the resurgence of quiet luxury and minimalist layering, this trend feels more relevant than ever.
5. The Rachel Haircut
When Jennifer Aniston played Rachel Green, she inspired salons worldwide. Created by hairstylist Chris McMillan, the layered, face-framing cut was requested so much it eclipsed most other styles of the decade. Maybe we can have it this decade, too?
The Rachel Haircut - Jennifer Aniston from Friends - TheSalonGuy by TheSalonGuy
6. Mesh Tops
Mesh tops were a declaration of a clothing item we should bring back. In the early '90s, they were everywhere—on Gwen Stefani and even Britney Spears in her early pop days. They showed off your rebellious side while letting you layer a bra or tank underneath.
7. Shrunken Graphic Tees
Natalie Imbruglia rocked a fitted graphic tee in her 1997 Torn music video, defining the '90s grunge aesthetic. Stüssy and Supreme's bold prints added personality with snug comfort. Now popping up on platforms like Depop, we think it might return in full swing.
8. Leather Blazers
Even the biggest designers, like Versace, added their flair with tough but elegant leather pieces. Unlike flimsy fast-fashion copies, their durable quality was worth it. Do you remember early '90s Madonna in her executive chic era? That’s what we’re rooting for.
9. Lace-Up Platform Boots
Chunky soles and sturdy leather gave better support than wobbly heels. And the Spice Girls knew it. They made them iconic on their 1997 tour by blending punk edge with pop flair. Lace-up platform boots are again coming back in new trends and starting to pop up at Coachella.
José Martin Segura Benites on Pexels
10. Denim Overalls
Denim overalls made an easy comeback in the 90s, thanks to the iconic portrayal in The Fresh Prince by Will Smith. Paired with sneakers, it was a perfect fusion of comfort and cool. It's not so popular these days, but it definitely should be.
