The ’90s were a wild time for fashion, but hey, at least we get a few laughs when reminiscing through photos. We’ve got our grunge-fueled angst of the early years to the bubblegum pop of the late ’90s. Sometimes we shake our heads and ask ourselves what we were thinking. Let’s revisit some of the 10 fashion trends that you’ll either love or hate.
10. JNCO Jeans
JNCO used to stand for “Judge None, Choose One,” which became a uniform for skaters, ravers, and what they call as suburban revels. These pants feature a wide leg opening with some chains attached in some styles. Their pockets are so deep that you can even lose a Discman in them. Funny enough, schools across the country tried to ban them as they thought of the pants to be a tripping hazard and a potential place to hide objects that aren’t allowed in school. That made them cooler.
9. Frosted Tips
Remember the late ’90s when your buddies used to sport spiky haircuts similar to Justin Timberlake and Mark McGrath? That’s the frosted tips, which is a hairstyle where they bleach the tips of those short hair spikes that contrast their natural hair color. It was the signature look of boy bands that ruled the world during that time, like NSYNC and Sugar Ray.
8. Butterfly Clips
’90s teenage girls accessorize their hair with those tiny plastic butterfly clips that are all around their heads. These clips were used to adorn updos and pigtails that you often see in your school crush or pop stars like Britney Spears. For just a few dollars, girls can create this look every day by twisting small sections of their hair and securing them in place.
7. Platform Shoes
The Spice Girls would send their message of girl power through towering platform sneakers. Suddenly, every girl in the world has those chunky platform sneakers, boots, or sandals. The higher the platform, the better! However, girls were at risk for twisting their ankle once they use the stairs, so it requires a high level of concentration.
6. Chokers
Every ’90s look needs a choker. They’re those accessories that hug your neck, which come in a variety of styles to suit every subculture. But of course, nothing compares to the iconic black velvet choker for a grunge look. There were also those stretchy plastic “tattoo” choker that gives you an illusion of a neck tattoo. While the choker made a comeback in recent years, it will always be remembered as an iconic ’90s accessory.
5. Cargo Pants
Remember those baggy pants where we get a lot of pockets to store stuff? Those were the cargo pants that feature oversized pockets that can carry your essentials. They were popularized by hip-hop artists and skaters who quickly went into the mainstream. They were usually paired with a baggy t-shirt or a hoodie that’s comfortable but also cool.
4. Zigzag Headbands
Back in the ’90s, there was this painful hair accessory that we used to wear all the time. They were the zigzag headbands that were made with plastic or metal, which hold your hair in a stylish way. The headband was actually known to tangle your hair, and removing it was one painful experience with a few lost strands as payment.
3. Double Denim
The double denim screams major fashion statement back in the ’90s. The trend involves wearing denim on denim in the same wash. One of the most iconic denim-on-denim looks belonged to Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, who wore a matching denim outfit from head to toe.
2. Crimped Hair
If you want to add some texture to your hair in the ’90s, then your friend will probably hand you their crimping iron. It’s a heated styling tool that’s designed to create a unique zigzag pattern in your hair. The trend was actually popularized by pop stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
1. Vinyl / PVC Clothing
The ’90s were also the futuristic turn of fashion, thanks to the rise of vinyl and PVC clothing. They were these shiny, plastic-like fabrics that were used in any clothing, like pants, skirts, and even dresses. It was popularized by pop stars like the Spice Girls, who wore it in their music video and stage appearances. It was often uncomfortable to wear as the fabric could get hot and sticky since it isn’t really breathable.