https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:37:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections/page/2#post-2154708 Thu, 19 Nov 2020 02:35:56 +0000 Sal 2154708@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I liked reading the recollections.</p> <p>I started the 90s at 20 and ended at 30 and went from a student flat, to a group of young professionals sharing accomodation, to living in London with eight others, to lots of travel, getting married, buying a home, and moving to Australia!!</p> <p>I was in great physical shape in the 90s - but I didn't dress all that well.&nbsp; Fashion and clothes were fairly low on the priority list - I had to look smart for work, but it was a minimal work wardrobe with money being spent on saving for a house and travel.&nbsp; And not much money a lot of the time.</p> <p>I did have some fun looks at times, but in truth I didn't like a lot of the fashion a lot of the time.&nbsp; There were a lot of preppy looks (moleskins, sweaters and boat shoes) and a lot of stompy black shoes.&nbsp; Lots of long skirt suits, lots of black and red, or black and brown.&nbsp;</p> <p>Here is a pic of me (and now husband) at a 70s party in the 90s</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections/page/2#post-2154062 Sun, 15 Nov 2020 02:36:49 +0000 Jaime 2154062@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I finished law school and worked in various (mostly non-law) places for most of the 90s. I was living and working in Manhattan and you might think I would have some sense of what I wore, but apart from a pair of heeled loafers and some bootcuts I have no idea. I have to look for old pictures, yours are great! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2154061 Sun, 15 Nov 2020 00:46:38 +0000 LaPed 2154061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The 90s were my childhood, and the things I loved to wear then probably won't surprise any of you based on what I wear now. :)</p> <p>Early on (I started kindergarten in '91), I remember wearing a lot of leggings and big t-shirts, sweatshirt dresses etc -- holdover styles from the 80s. Lots of hot pink and turquoise. But that quickly gave way to carpenter jeans, corduroys, flannel shirts, etc. By the time I was 7 or 8 I was all about a tomboy/grunge look. Adidas Sambas were all the rage, followed by skate shoes -- everyone debating whether Vans or Airwalk was better. A few pieces I really loved in elementary school: a denim jacket with lined with a tropical-colored plaid flannel (I remember saving up money to buy it new; almost all of my other clothes came from thrift stores); a pair of light-wash Esprit overalls; an olive green ribbed cotton sweater with a quarter-zip (almost certainly from the boy's department); a white breton with red stripes (probably LL Bean and probably <i>very </i>oversized on me at the time).&nbsp;</p> <p>By the end of the 90s, I remember being totally obsessed with the Gap (remember the khakis commercial with the swing dancers?!). I had some extremely preppy items, like a little pearl-grey cotton twinset and bootcut khakis, mashed up with some crazy punk stuff, like a black velveteen mini skirt that I would wear with lime green tights and a tiny lime-and-white striped tee plus some kind of Doc Martens knock-offs, and then some very kooky boho stuff like pinstriped palazzo pants and drape-y short-sleeve linen sweaters. Real middle-schooler-in-a-thrift-store looks. :D&nbsp;</p> <p>Definitely a decade I look back on fondly! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2154059 Sun, 15 Nov 2020 00:19:35 +0000 Molly Mac 2154059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Today I wore dark grey corduroy overalls, a black turtleneck, and black lug soled boots. My husband commented “I remember that outfit”. It made me laugh because I did wear a very similar look when we started dating in the mid 90’s. I loved overalls, Dr. Martens (especially with dresses), slip dresses, very short skirts, and vests. Grunge not so much. I am definitely enjoying the 90’s influence in 2020 fashion.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2154058 Sat, 14 Nov 2020 22:57:43 +0000 Lynne 2154058@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I pored over the Chic Simple books in the 90's (remember those?) and had a pair of glossy black loafers I loved and wore with everything. But I definitely overdosed on black, I remember DH begging me to wear any other colour :). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2154033 Sat, 14 Nov 2020 18:46:07 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2154033@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There was a lot going on for me in the 90s—first job after college, then grad school, which I absolutely loved. I started the decade in Austin, Texas, spent half a year in Braunschweig, Germany, moved to Lexington, KY for a few years, Berlin late 95-mid 98 while I worked &amp; did diss research, then back to Lexington. I worked out regularly, but didn’t have a huge amount of clothing dedicated for that—I was in the pool &amp; the weight room, so wearing swim suits and shorts &amp; tank tops/Ts, not the leos, leg warmers, and whatever for aerobics or cardio machines. Much of my activism was for bikes as transportation, so I wore/wear clothes suited to that.</p> <p>Sartorially it was a bigger decade for me than I realized then. At the start of it, my mom was buying me clothes, either in outfits she sent me or on shopping trips with me or my sister, who they felt was better at picking out clothes for me than I was. I was sick of it, and living in Berlin put a natural halt to it. Some of my first purchases were on the extreme side, but are still in line with my style now—lace-up lug boots, wild flare pants, beautiful red paisley silk tap pants &amp; bra set. </p> <p>I also learned about wearing tights with short skirts in Berlin and started wearing black here (in my mind, it isn’t associated with the rest of the decade, probably because of where I lived), and discovered an outlet mall when I moved back to Lexington. I got a lot of things at that Esprit outlet, as well as other stores there. </p> <p>My impression of East European style, while in Berlin in the 90s, was that women from former Soviet bloc countries wore acid washed jeans, very frilly, lacy blouses of thin cotton fabric, and spiky heeled pumps. </p> <p>I also remember a sales assoc at a clothing store I went to while at a conference in Hawaii in 1996. I hadn’t realized there was much of a difference between the various board shorts, little dresses, etc. He helped me find some that worked best for my body and generally gave me a reset about picking out clothes that suit me (without being the slightest bit creepy). That’s probably where the confidence about picking out my own things came from.</p> <p>What I remember wearing: stirrup pants in the late 80s, an orange broomstick dress, shoulder pads at the start of the decade (I’m starting to realize Mom got me the “fashiony” stuff she wanted but didn’t think she could wear), bought myself 501s, bias cut skirts and dresses (love!), a slip dress which I should’ve given up on as soon as I realized I didn’t love the fabric. I got cowboy boots in Fort Worth during a conference in 97, because I wished I’d gotten some while I lived in Austin. Tried a couple grungey plaid shirts, which should’ve been a natural given where I’m from, but they were not me. I would’ve liked to wear crop tops and velvet chokers, but wasn’t brave enough/didn’t think crop tops struck the right note for a serious person. No suits (except for a couple I got for interviews that were all wrong), No pastels, then or now, tyvm.</p> <p>Fun topic, Janet. Thanks for the post. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2154005 Sat, 14 Nov 2020 15:04:59 +0000 Janet 2154005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suntiger, I never ever pulled off the red lipstick look! I can’t say my approach to makeup has changed tremendously over the years — I’ve always been a subtle makeup person. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2154001 Sat, 14 Nov 2020 14:50:05 +0000 Anonymous 2154001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh and smoky black, grey, silver eye makeup with red lipstick. Great on some- I was not one of them! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153995 Sat, 14 Nov 2020 14:24:42 +0000 Bijou 2153995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The 1990's was when I went to work in a large accounting firm and so wore suits - inspired by Ally McBeal and Melrose Place - although our work dress code was no mini skirts, so only above the knee (or slightly shorter) skirts allowed. At the time the local retail was full of suits for women at all price points, it was the thing to wear if you worked in an office.</p> <p>I wore lots of black - always a black patent leather handbag and black shoes and boots. Fridays was always a little black dress and then out to drinks after work in the city with friends and colleagues - well up until I dated DH.&nbsp;</p> <p>My style inspiration was Claudia Schiffer in the Guess jeans advertisements. I remember a trip to Sydney in 1992 when I got to shop at the Guess jeans store and bought some jeans and a navy blazer - I really felt stylish in that outfit. I even wore my hair in a Bridgette Bardot inspired up do with compulsory black liquid eyeliner when I wanted to be fancy, it looked cute with the little black dress with lace sleeves for nights out dancing.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153923 Sat, 14 Nov 2020 00:29:37 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2153923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The 90s seemed all about brown and plaid to me. I think I was immersed in dressing like an uncomfortable suited lawyer in the day (mostly NOT in Ally McBeal mini skirts tho I did have a red mini skirt suit) and wearing comfortable raggedy things otherwise. Also I was too modest for slip dresses at that time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153917 Sat, 14 Nov 2020 00:14:18 +0000 slim cat 2153917@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Irina - high five to oversized sweaters! They were so big that I worn two of them through almost all months of my pregnancy in 1992. One was in red with white design that looked like fleur-de-lis flower. I loved it so much and could never let it go - then my mom started to wear it <br />( after some weight loss ) and it became her favorite sweater .</p> <p>I did stirrup pants but only for a short while - didn't find them comfortable or flattering. <br />A few pieces were custom made for me - hight school uniform ( 80s - ugly anyway ), the coat and black bootcut pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153906 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 23:15:35 +0000 Irina 2153906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, oversized sweaters, how could I forget! Two come to mind - I had a vivid red! sweater with silk red flower embellishments and a huge offwhite cardigan with some beading. OMG some things I would want to forget :)&nbsp;<br />Another outfit from those years - a lime green cropped top worn with high waisted black pinstripe pants.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153899 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 22:54:24 +0000 cat2 2153899@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me the 90s meant the iconic Armani suiting with the relaxed shoulder. He pulled out the stiff internal construction and oversized shoulders of the 80s and did more fluid fabric. The workplace was a sea of solid greys and taupes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153874 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 21:37:40 +0000 Janet 2153874@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I associate stirrup pants and big sweaters much more with the 80s... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153872 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 21:33:10 +0000 Anonymous 2153872@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow - lots of interesting moving and travelling stories here! &nbsp;I was pretty boring - working, going to aerobics everyday - I was obsessed with it - and who-knows-what in the evenings. Carla - YES to Louben suits! &nbsp;Stirrup pants and big sweaters : a look my husband hated/still hates (have to change before he gets home soon !) , and whatever jeans were cool at the time . &nbsp;Ha! &nbsp;I doubt I had any money to spend, so clothing was less of a thing those years. &nbsp;Was &nbsp;pregnant in 95/96 - which is when all style went out the window . I am quite sure I had a bigger collection of thong leotards, tights and legwarmers than anything else . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153869 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 21:21:35 +0000 Janet 2153869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Funny, I didn’t do the grunge thing in the 90s. I have more elements of that in my style now than I did back the , although I prefer a more refined and less RATE iteration:</p> <p>What I wore and didn’t wear from Angie’s list:</p> <p>- Stompy boots and plaid shirts are much more a thing for me now than in the 90s. I did however wear a lot of plain white men’s tees with slightly high rise jeans. And I had an oversized denim jacket that was in heavy rotation for a few years.<br /> - Bootcuts have always been a thing for me.<br /> - Ally McBeal short A-line skirt suits - nope, I never wore my skirts that short! I liked a long jacket but paired with long skirt and only moderately short skirt. More Elaine than Ally McBeal.<br /> - Velvet chokers - was never in my wheelhouse at all, never cared for chokers.<br /> - Didn’t wear Docs until around 2011ish, the classic ones didn’t fit me well. My footwear tended more towards granny boots.<br /> - Midi skirts - big yay, but not bias cut, which tended to cling to the hips.<br /> - was never into slip dresses.<br /> - Dresses with moto jackets - big yay<br /> - Double breasted jackets were never my friend (too busty even at my smaller sizes), and didn’t wear suits<br /> - Loved clothes in black and grey, wore a lot with jewel tone tops<br /> - Lived in black footwear </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153859 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:24:13 +0000 Carla 2153859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now I remember! &nbsp;I had a closet full of matching Louben skirt suits, with sweaters or blouses for underneath, or a wrap dress with blazer. &nbsp;Always a jacket for work. &nbsp;Wrangler jeans and cotton sweatshirts or T’s for off duty. &nbsp;Hardly anything in between. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153856 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:43:00 +0000 Cardiff girl 2153856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This brings back memories. I was working full time and some in hospital during the nineties so no time for much of a social life but when I did go out it was a black mini and an oversized black or grey blazer.l found my black mini the other day and tried it on,it’s very tight now!I passed it on to a charity shop but happy times. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153853 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:35:22 +0000 Angie 2153853@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fun photo flashbacks! :)</p> <p>I was a retail buyer in the '90s. It was full on trendy fashion for me. I loved wearing:&nbsp; </p> <ul> <li>Seattle plaid shirts and 501s worn with black lace (but not at work)</li> <li>Bootcuts&nbsp;</li> <li>Ally McBeal short A-line skirt suits (I has pinstripes and tan)</li> <li>Cropped tops with HIGH RISES</li> <li>Velvet chokers</li> <li>Docs</li> <li>Midi bias-cut skirts! (BEST)</li> <li>Slip dresses worn over tees</li> <li>Dresses with moto jackets</li> <li>Double breasted pastel pant suiting (I had lime and light blue)</li> <li>Flowing wide soft Summer pants</li> <li>Oversized denim jackets</li> </ul> <p>Did not enjoy:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Overdose of black and grey</li> <li>Black footwear</li> <li>The Kate Moss "just got out of bed" look</li> <li>Lug soles and mega chunky footwear</li> <li>Low rises worn with crop tops</li> </ul> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153849 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:23:26 +0000 Irina 2153849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Slim cat, same here - I came to Canada in 1998 and was overjoyed to find small sizes available &nbsp;in stores. 90s fashion is a bit blurry , so many things were happening in our life. We moved from the Far East of Russia home to the south. The collapse of USSR and difficult times followed and still fashion was there:)<br />I remember I bought OTK black boots and wore it with above the &nbsp;knee skirts. I had a couple of long wool bodycon knitted dresses, made for me. Well, most of my clothes was custom made. On our first trip abroad I bought a white cotton safari vest and fake leather snakeskin pants. I didn’t know if it was fashionable but I bought it Paris, so I thought it should be. <br />I just loved those pieces and worn them to shreds. </p> <p>In 98 one of very few pieces of clothes that I brought with me to Canada was a navy polka dots fit and flare midi dress. I wore it probably only once but I still have it my closet.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153829 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 17:47:53 +0000 Anonymous 2153829@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The Ally McBeall style suit- kkards! Long fairly boxy often double breasted jackets w shoulder pants- and little skirts that weren't much longer than jacket. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153827 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 17:41:40 +0000 kkards 2153827@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suntiger...long over short! I had totally forgotten about that </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153824 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 17:38:43 +0000 Anonymous 2153824@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Quick little pop in! I was in school, then travelling, then working full time, then doing music- so definitely a mixed bag. In that time I remember wearing-a leather jacket, tie dye, mini skirts (then paired w long jackets for work), colored suits, maxi skirts w "poorboy" sweaters, leggings, animal print, 1 plaid shirt, fringe, sarongs, pinstripes, flowy pants w cropped peasant blouses. Probably more black at the beginning of the decade than later. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153822 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 17:34:07 +0000 kkards 2153822@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the flashback photos.<br />I remember head to toe black with a pop of color blazer. I remember wearing suits before business gave way to business casual. I remember stirrup pants, and cowboy booties, broomstick and toile skirts worn with blazers, and wearing sneakers into the office and changing into heels.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153819 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 17:15:49 +0000 slim cat 2153819@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Janet and @anchie - I love all the photos - you all look great ladies!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153818 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 17:13:39 +0000 slim cat 2153818@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bootcut jeans and pants are still my thing I guess - they are the most flattering on my straight body with strong shoulders.<br />I used to have a blazer from Express and was wearing it to my first job interview in USA - my mom got the same one for herself when she was visiting us for a first time. Shopping together at Bon'marche store <br />( before it became Macy's ) in Seattle, taking pictures in the dressing room of Levi's, getting matching floral silk sets ( blouse and skirt ) - sweet memories.<br />I remember finding my sizes at GAP ( Soviet Union didn't care for my size - it didn't exist ) and being elated .<br />I miss the fabrics from that era ( silk, pure cotton, viscous ) and certain stores/brands that don't exist anymore. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153816 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 17:11:02 +0000 anchie 2153816@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don‘t remember much abot 90s fashion or what I even wore back then. It was very different time and so much happened in that decade. I was a poor student, I went through a war, graduated from university, I got my first job, moved to Angola and met my husband in 96, moved to his country in 97, got our son in 98. I had very casual job - I dug up only picture that I have from work. Embarrassing? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153813 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 16:51:41 +0000 nemosmom 2153813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After '92 the 90s were a blur for me. I was working full time and going to college... I don't remember many of my fashion choices. I had my 'colors' done somewhere around the early 90s and was told to avoid black, so of course I purged every black thing from my closet LOL. I remember cutting my hair to an earlobe length bob and I HATING it!&nbsp; I moved to Austin in the mid-late 90s and quickly adopted cowboy boots as an essential ;)&nbsp; I have no idea if they were stylish, but they sure were popular in my area! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153810 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 16:40:14 +0000 nuancedream 2153810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really don't have many fond memories of 90s fashion except for a purple wool midi coat that I wore for nearly the entire decade until it was embarrassingly threadbare. Black clothing and footwear was omnipresent and nary an earth tone in sight. Boyfriend jackets made me feel frumpy. Stirrup pants and apron dresses make me shudder and yes, I wore them. Thankfully, no pictures of me wearing them exist. Bootcut pants and jeans were the only 90s era style I could get behind. Stylwise, i was pretty adrift in the 90s and perhaps I kind of gave up and let other people, namely family, have too much influence on what I wore. Fortunately, that changed when I hit my late 40s and started crafting my own personal style. 90s fashion, outside of bootcuts, doesn't resonate with me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/90s-recollections#post-2153809 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 16:38:33 +0000 Janet 2153809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha, found a couple of pics thanks to FB friends. The first one was the aforementioned crop tee with a long skirt and yes, black sandals. I cropped out my gorgeous tall Uma Thurman lookalike friend only to preserve her privacy. This was the night of her bachelorette party. We are still friends and she is a gem of a human being! </p> <p>Second photo is from another friend’s wedding. I almost forgot that dress, but it was great — plum and nicely fitted. I adored those shoes — black suede pumps with asymmetrical details. I would wear them again today if I needed pumps. </p>