1990 to 2000

The early 1990s saw a continuation of late 1980s fashion, primarily model as muse. Supermodels dominated the beginning of the decade, when popular beauties such as Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista ‘wouldn’t get out of bed for less then $10,000’ starred in every major fashion campaign. Kate Moss, who often modeled for Calvin Klein, sparked controversy in a silver sheer slip dress with her very thin, waif-like figure coining a new term; heroin chic. Iconic designer Gianni Versace celebrated the female figure in tube dresses featuring body conscious cuts, luxury fabrics, baroque prints often garishly loud and brilliant colors, even touches of bondage inspired metal hardware such as grommets and safety pins.

The Seattle Sound exploded into mainstream fashion. Embracing a darker tone in both sound and vision with muted palates and worn textiles, the so called Grunge style departed sharply from 1980s excess. Staples included: winter thermal underwear as pants, work wear and the ubiquitous flannel shirt. In Marc Jacobs (now infamous) 1993 ‘‘Grunge’‘ collection for Perry Ellis, which ultimately got him fired from the line, models paraded down the catwalk in ‘bed head’ and knit beanies, Doc Martin lace up boots, flannel, knitwear and granny dresses as seen donned by bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains.

Hip Hop fashion mirrored its music and lifestyle also. In it’s infancy in underground African American urban culture, Hip Hop eventually crossed barriers into popular culture full force during the decade. High energy self start up labels like Fubu and Karl Kani used high profile rap artists like Tupac Shakur and Shawn Combs as spokespersons and models for their lines. The clothing label Cross Colours bold in both color and social outreach, were emblazoned with messages of empowerment and community. Over sized everything was the signature silhouette, sports team paraphernalia, denim, bomber jackets, track suits, Timberland boots, ‘Bill Cosby’ Coogi sweaters, and overalls were the preferred look. Gender neutral silhouettes for both females and males were notable of the genre aesthetic.

Gothic fashion in the 1990s, fueled by films like the The Crow, The Craft and a burgeoning club scene, found an incredible popularity. Goths made their way into the mall and into the sunlight, via popular suburban boutiques like ‘Hot Topic’, wearing layers of black-on-black, ripped tights, crosses, fishnets, latex and fetish wear including PVC and vinyl clothing, crushed velvet and black lace. Even the goth scene itself splintered off into many interesting subsets: Cyber Goth, Lolita, Rockabilly, and Traditional. The wildly outrageous ‘club kid’ party scene, who exhibited hugely creative and sometimes grotesque outfits. Drugs and nightlife mingled into pop fashion culture, faux fur, neon colors and monster platforms further pushed the envelope of conservative fashion.

In the mid-1990s, British pop bands Blur, The Stone Roses and Oasis spearheaded a revival of 1960s and 1970s mod culture, including Mod haircuts, aviator sunglasses, stovepipe pants, green parkas Harrington jackets, velvet sport coats, striped shirts, polo shirts, and Union Jack motifs exemplified by the dress worn by band member Geri Halliwell from The Spice Girls.

Due to renewed renewed mainstream interest in swing and jump blues music, swing dancing films like Swingers Swing Kids and The Mambo Kings resulted in a huge 1940s style revival, and continued the cultural trend for entertainment to influence fashion. ‘Elaine Benes’ character on ‘Seinfeld’ sported 1940s inspired wide shouldered blazers and rayon floral dresses. Dapper menswear reminiscent of true vintage style, gabardine pleated trousers and rayon shirts enjoyed a moment in both the Swing/Rockabilly crowds and mainstream fashion.

Written by carlaandcarla

1990s Gianni Versaci silk shirt

Courtesy kevinandme

1990s Versace silk shirt

Courtesy of kevinandme

1994 Warner Bros sweater

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

1990s sweater

Courtesy of misterbibs

1990s Stussy Baja sweatshirt

Courtesy of kevinandme

1990s Stussy sweatshirt

Courtesy of kevinandme

1990s Stussy tshirt

Courtesy of kevinandme

1990s flannel shirt

Courtesy of coolfoolvintage

1990s plaid flannel shirt

Courtesy of coolfoolvintage

1996 Chanel blouse

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

1990s Jean Paul Gaultier blouse

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

1990s Moschino colorblock jacket

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1990s astrology blazer

Courtesy of bigyellowtaxivintage

1990s colorblock sweater

Courtesy of morningglorious

1990s graphic bustier top

Courtesy of vintagefanattic

1990s Ralph Lauren floral dress

Courtesy of northstarvintage

1990s floral rayon dress

Courtesy of northstarvintage

1990s Gap baby doll rayon dress

Courtesy of thevintagemerchant

1990s rayon prairie dress

Courtesy of fasteddiesretrorags

1990s Kathlin Argiro corset dress

Courtesy thespectrum

1990s slouchy caftan

Courtesy of morningglorious

1990s Jean Paul Gaultier dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1990s Dolce & Gabbana sequin dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1990s Yohji Yamamoto dress

Courtesy of catbooksvintage

1990s Yohji Yamamoto dress

Courtesy of catbooksvintage

1990s Trussardi Black Leather Dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1999 Chanel Evening Gown

Courtesy of poppysvinageclothing

1990s Christian Lacroix suit

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1990s Jean Paul Gaultier ladies suit

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1990s rayon 2 piece suit

Courtesy of ranchqueenvintage

1990s animal print set

Courtesy of vintagerunway

1990s Valentino boutique pant suit

Courtesy of midge

1990s India print skirt

Courtesy of northstarvintage

1990s Betsey Johnson goth crinoline

Courtesy of carlaandcarla

1990s Versace jeans

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1990s swimsuit

Courtesy of northstarvintage

1990s Gianni Versace Medusa print swimsuit

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1990s Jean Paul Gaultier bathing suit

Courtesy of northstarvintage

late 1990s Versace vest

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

1991 hand painted leather jacket

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

1990s jean jacket

Courtesy of morningglorious

early 1990s Banana Republic barn jacket

Courtesy of endlessalley

1990s Ralph Lauren jean jacket Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

1990s Gianni Versace Jacket

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1990s Sonia Rykiel Reversible Coat

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1990s Adrienne Vittadini bag

Courtesy of bigyellowtaxi

1990s Paris Ipso Factor scuptural handbag

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1994 limited spring Chanel waterproof handbag

Courtesy of furwise

1990s Dooney & Bourke hand bag

Courtesy of northstarvintage

1990s Emmanuelle Khanh fish handbag

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1990s Stussy hat

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1990s Fresh Jive hat

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1990s feathered cloche

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1990s wide brim hat

Courtesy of alleycatsvintage

1990s Betsey Johnson belt

Courtesy of morningglorious

1991 Ralph Marlin necktie

Courtesy of bonniesvintageclothesline

1994 Ralph Marlin necktie

Courtesy of bonniesvintageclothesline

1990s Versace silk tie

Courtesy pinkyagogo

1990s Tommy Hilfiger tie

Courtesy of royalstarvintage

1990s Chanel tie

Courtesy of thespectrum

1990s Nicole Miller ties

Courtesy of thespectrum

1990s Looney Tunes silk tie

Courtesy of thespectrum

1990s Adolfo silk tie

Courtesy of royalstarvintage

early 1990s Fluevog shoes

Courtesy of thespectrum

1990s Fluevog shoes

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1990s Fluevog platforms

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1990s Soda high heel sneakers

Courtesy of thespectrum

1993 Demonia gothic boots

Courtesy of thevintagemerchant

1990s leopard Doc Martens

Courtesy of cosmiccowgirl

1990s Doc Marten boots

Courtesy of thespectrum

1990s Doc Marten Mary Janes

Courtesy of thespectrum

1990s shoes

Courtesy of MorningGlorious

1990s Steve Madden sneakers

Courtesy of thespectrum

1990s Anne Michelle platforms

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

1990s Laure Bassal shoes

Courtesy of bigyellowtaxivintage

1990s alligator heels

Courtesy of northstarvintage

1990s Charles Jourdan pumps

Courtesy of northstarvintage

1990s Bee Fly denim boots

Courtesy of thevintagemerchant

1990s Gucci boots

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1990s Steve Madden pumps

Courtesy of thevintagemerchant

1990s Vivienne Westwood elevated shoes

Courtesy of thespectrum

1993 Laurel Burch brooch

Courtesy of PinkyAGoGo

1990s Christian Dior earrings

Courtesy of metroretrovintage

1990s novelty shoulder sweep earrings

Courtesy of metroretrovintage

1990s Jean Paul Gaultier sunglasses

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage