What was women’s fashion in the 90s?
While women wore a few mini-skirts in the first part of the decade, most of the decade was about wearing ultra-comfortable clothes. At the end of the decade, women started layering different fabrics to create beautiful Bohemian outfits that were often heavily embroidered.
Even then, dresses were long and flowy with lots of room to move. There was a very short time in the middle of the decade when tight-fitting sweaters and shirts were stylish. Especially in the latter half, prominently plastering logos and company names on clothing was considered fashionable.
Slip dresses
While women no longer were expected to wear slips under most of their dresses, the slip dress was a popular choice in the 1990s. These dresses, shaped like a 1940s undergarment, were initially designed to hang close to the body, but they got looser towards the middle of the decade.
They were especially popular with punk rockers and those following the grunge look. Many choices were more middle-of-the-road, made using a pretty floral fabric. Most designers, including Marc Jacobs and Prada, had slip dresses in their collections.
Leggings
Leggings were a popular choice, especially in the early 1990s. Cindy Crawford embraced this trend by wearing them with a black top, and many women soon added black leggings to their wardrobes. Another very similar pant that was popular was stirrup pants. Unlike leggings, these pants had a short strap that went under the woman’s foot.
A popular option was to wear leggings with an oversized sweatshirt, slouch socks, and a pair of Keds athletic shoes. Many women were convinced that this look made them appear taller and leaner, while others found it a comfortable look to wear.
Flannel shirts
The 1990s in women’s clothing was all about being comfortable, so it should be no surprise that women loved to wear flannel shirts. The grunge and the punk movement both embraced wearing flannel. When the two styles combined in the late 1990s to form the emo style, flannel did not disappear.
While bright colors were seen early on, by the late 1990s, earthy-colored plaids were worn over denim jeans. The flannel shirts left open in the first part of the decade were now buttoned up neatly.
Leopard print
Leopard print was the fabric of choice for many outfits during the 1990s. In the early part of the decade, leopard-print hats, gloves, and cuffs on long-sleeve shirts were popular. Then, Cindy Crawford sported a pair of tight-fitting leopard-print leggings. Closer to the middle of the decade, leopard print was a favorite print for bikinis.
Naomi Campbell rocked a full leopard print outfit on the pages of Vogue in 1996. Leopard print was also incorporated into many different dress styles throughout the decade, from slip to Bohemian.
Baggy jeans
Often called wide-leg jeans, these denim pants were popular in the early 1990s, especially in the grunge movement. Skaters, hardcore punks, ravers, and rappers wore these pants to set themselves apart from those who loved metal music.
These pants varied from bell-bottoms because the whole length of the leg was at least 20 inches wide while bell-bottoms flared out at the knee. Some of these jeans had a 50-inch leg circumference while 26 inches was widespread. Women often wore them with a tee and a snapback hat worn backward.
Oversized sweaters
In the early 1990s, women often wore oversized sweaters as part of their grunge outfits. Many sweatshirts had a crew neck and no bottom hem. Logo sweatshirts became a prominent fad with Starter, Adidas, and Gap boldly worn across the chest. They often wore these sweaters over baggy jeans, denim jackets, and fake furs.
Towards the middle of the decade, the schoolgirl look became more popular, with many people wanting to look like the characters they saw on “Saved by the Bell.” These sweaters were often sleeveless and worn over white blouses. They were also short, with many allowing the top of the skirt that sat at the natural waistline to show.
Leotards
While leotards started being popular in the mid-80s, they were trendy during the 1990s. They were typically made from Lycra and spandex, with many in neon colors. Many options were a single bright color, but other color-block choices were available. These skin-tight pants were often worn for exercise, but other women wore them as streetwear. Some stopped just above the knee, while others came down to just above the ankle. Most had tops with broad straps across the shoulders. Lycra pants and tees eventually replaced them before the decade was over.
Hoodies
At the beginning of the 1990s, people viewed the hoodie as a symbol of academia, but that trend did not last long. Then, skateboarders and surfers wore them. While many choices were solid gray with a company’s logo, like Champion, placed on the chest, many were also color-blocked, with different shades of blue being a trendy choice.
Hoodies with their long strings and hoods were a popular wintertime choice as people chose to wear them instead of wearing a coat. Several designers, including Tommy Hilfiger, Giorgio Armani, and Ralph Lauren, made them a significant part of their collection for several years.
Low-profile shoes
Starting with the release of “Dirty Dancing,” low-profile tennis shoes made from canvas were every girl’s favorite type of shoes. These shoes were often made from canvas and had no arch support. Many women chose to wear them with their favorite leotards to the gym or with their leggings because they found them so comfortable.
While many different companies produced these shoes, Keds owned by the Stride Rite Corporation was a favorite choice. Often women would paint their white tennis shoes in favorite colors and designs to match their hoodies or oversized sweaters.
Slouch socks
Slouch socks were a popular option during the 1990s. These heavy socks went up to the mid-calf, but women never wore them that way. Instead, women pushed them down to their ankles. They were almost always worn with low-profile canvas tennis shoes.
Many women chose to wear mismatched options. For a while, it was also popular to wear more than one choice at a time, with one pulled slightly higher than the other. While the upper part of these socks was extremely thick, the foot area was much thinner.
Bike shorts
Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Princess Diana all wore bike shorts during the 1990s, and so did many other women. These shorts, often made from Lycra and spandex, came down to about the knees, and they were cut to fit extremely close to the body.
Women often paired them with an oversized sweatshirt, slouch socks, and low-profile tennis shoes. Many women wore these shorts that were often in bright neon colors under a pair of leggings as they went to the gym to work out.
Once there, they would remove the leggings and let their artificially tanned legs shine. Other times, they would pair them with a crop top, which was often white.
Leather Pants
Leather pants made from various leathers were a fashion staple in the 1990s. These pants were tight and usually worn with a tight-fitting top. A silk blouse was a prevalent choice. Women who could not afford real leather pants wore pleather pants. These pants were made to resemble genuine leather but were available in more color choices. These pants usually had a high waist and were cut straight. There were a few options that even had a slim cut. Some leather pants also laced up their side or across the waistband.
Denim shirts
Women often wore denim button-down blouses during the 1990s. These blouses often had a western cut with a large front yoke. Many of these shirts also had an embroidered design instead of a front pocket. Ladies often wore denim shirts with colored jeans. Other denim shirts were cut to end just below the bust. These shirts were often tied in the front.
This popular summertime option was often worn with blue jeans of a different shade of blue. Again, these shirts often buttoned down the front and were broad across the shoulders. They were often paired with simple jewelry that followed the shirt’s neckline.
Women in the 1990s had lots of choices in clothing styles. In the next chapter, I will discuss even more about how men and women put outfits together during the decade to reflect their interests. Therefore, you will want to make sure to keep reading.
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In the 1990s, women’s fashion evolved towards comfort and individuality, transitioning from mini-skirts to more relaxed styles. In the early part of the decade, mini-skirts were worn, but as the years progressed, comfortable layers, Bohemian styles, and loose-fitting garments became dominant. Slip dresses gained popularity, especially among punk and grunge subcultures, while leggings and stirrup pants emerged as staple wardrobe pieces, often paired with oversized sweatshirts.
Flannel shirts were embraced for their casual comfort, aligning with the grunge aesthetic, and leopard print became a frequent choice in various outfits, including dresses and leggings. Baggy jeans were favored for their wide-leg fit, serving as a symbol of various music and street cultures.
Oversized sweaters were another trend, transitioning from grunge styles to more fashion-forward looks. Leotards were popularized for both exercise and casual wear, and hoodies emerged as streetwear staples. Low-profile canvas shoes, slouch socks, and bike shorts gained traction, often worn together for a relaxed look.
Leather pants and denim shirts also featured prominently, with a mix of materials and styles reflecting affordability and personal flair. Overall, 1990s women’s fashion was marked by an emphasis on comfort, versatility, and individual expression, setting the stage for future trends.
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