Back to the Future: 90s

Trends from the nineties that are making a comeback.

There’s no denying it anymore: the nineties are back and better than ever. This realisation came to me rather spontaneously last night when I found myself, not for the first time, watching Friends and focusing on Rachel Green’s casual chic style more than anything else that was going on in the episode. For me, this is no new phenomenon. For years I’ve adored Rachel’s baggy jeans and tight graphic tees, but until now I’ve always seen her style as being cool but out of date, chic but not emulatable two decades later. However, last night that all changed when I was drooling over one of her iconic looks and suddenly found myself thinking: I would definitely wear that.

BUCKET HATS Famous for its artsy, somewhat grungy-hippy vibe, the bucket hat has made a huge comeback in recent months thanks to big-name, high-end brands like Prada and Burberry who have included them in their latest collections. After a two-decade-long period of hibernation, the bucket hat has finally found itself back on the heads of celebrities and arts students alike.

And so, the beginnings of this article began to take shape. Inspired by the legendary style of a fictional character, I began by scouring my wardrobe, then online shops and, finally, the Instagram pages of the myriad fashion influencers that comprise my newsfeed, before eventually landing at the final conclusion that the nineties are, most certainly, back.

While (thankfully) not every trend has made a comeback, I have gone and compiled a list of some of the most prominent styles of 2021 that have all been plucked straight from the nineties and transformed in some way to conform to the more minimalistic, toned-down tastes of today. Keep reading to see which trends we’ve stolen from the nineties – I guarantee you’ve already succumbed to one of them without even realising its origin.

SLIP DRESSESSoft, feminine and effortlessly chic, the slip dressis personally my favourite thing to come outof the nineties (aside from myself of course).Stylish and practical, slip dresses can take youfrom day to night depending on what you pairthem with. I personally like to throw them onover a jumper and tights during the day andwear them with heels and a cute bag at night.

DAD SHOESProbably one of the most iconic trends of thenineties, chunky trainers are back this year with avengeance. A quick scroll through Instagram will showthat seemingly everyone these days owns a pair of NewBalance 530s, Adidas Ozweegoes, Balenciaga Triple Ss,or knows somebody who does. Insanely comfortable and amazingly versatile, it’s easy to see why 2021 has decided to give this trend a new lease of life.

MATCHING TRACKSUIT SETS Does anything scream late nineties/ early noughties more than a matching tracksuit set? Praised for their comfort and practicality, the mere thought of matching tracksuit sets (especially ones with glittery slogans across the bum) will make nineties kids everywhere feel seriously nostalgic. This trend owes its rejuvenation mainly to the pandemic (I personally can’t remember the last time that I wore anything that wasn’t a baggy sweatshirt tucked into a pair of oversized joggers) and has recently become the undisputed working-from-home uniform.

STRAIGHT-LEG JEANS This is one nineties trend that I was seriously surprised at. A surprisingly understated style when compared to the typically outlandish trends of the nineties, straight-leg jeans were the most popular style of denim before the turn of the century and were only replaced by skinny jeans in the early 2000s. As of late, this casual style of jean has made a major comeback and is set to take back its top spot.

SHEER EVERYTHING Love it or hate it, sheer dresses and tops were all over the (virtual) catwalks this spring/summer. This trend won’t be for everyone, and some will inevitably wonder why we didn’t leave the mesh tops back in the twentieth century where they belong. However, all of the looks that I’ve seen incorporating sheer garments have been amazing and I can’t wait to see this resurrected trend really gain some momentum off the runway when nightlife returns.

CYCLING SHORTS Originally brought into the spotlight by Princess Diana, cycling shorts were everywhere in the nineties and have been on the comeback for the last few years. Predictions say that this season will be no different. The perfect form of athleisure for the hotter months, paired with a graphic tee or oversized sweatshirt, cycling shorts can look effortlessly chic. Comfortable, stylish and for the most part very affordable, what’s not to love?

WORDS BY MILLIE BRENNAN