THE NEW 90S STYLE FOR MILLENNIALS

March 1, 2021

The 90s-00s are back in style and I think most of us are here for it. But there’s also quite a bit of superficial stress online about low rise jeans and middle parts. Frankly, I’m just glad that we’re starting to stress about dumb things again online. (Not that bad shit isn’t still definitely happening and that that isn’t worth attention, but I’m glad we can also find a reprieve to complain about meaningless things). Anyway, today’s post is about sharing some of my favorite ways to incorporate the 90s trends without completely reliving on the unflattering (on me! and maybe some others!) aspects of the 90s-00s that might be trending as well. We’re going for all the trend, and none of the trauma.

^{This post may contain affiliate links.}

GRAPHIC TEE (SIMILAR) // LUSH BLAZER (SIMILAR) // BLANKNYC DENIM // STEVE MADDEN SANDALS (SIMILAR) // KATE SPADE BAG (SIMILAR) // H&M EARRINGS (SIMILAR) // VINTAGE NECKLACE (SIMILAR) // CUFF BRACELET (SIMILAR) // FOREVER 21 SUNGLASSES (SIMILAR)

THE KEY IS TO PICK AND CHOOSE

Ultimately, the most important thing you can do is pick and choose which elements of the 90s-00s style suit your personal style (because we all have one!). Really, this tip applies to every single trend you’ll come across. Certain things just won’t suit what we like to wear, our lifestyles, or our body types. Low rise jeans, for example, are not well suited to everyone, so if they don’t work for you, don’t wear them.

Fashion and style, your daily look, aren’t a costume party. We’re not out here wearing all the 90s style trends all at once to look like we were torn straight from our pages of TeenVogue. Instead, we’re cutting out the patterns, pieces, and accessories we like best to create a fresh take on the styles most of us wore a few years ago. I mean, in the 90s. That wasn’t a few years ago anymore, was it? Good grief.

My point is – be choosey. But also try the thing you think you won’t like before you fully reject it. You might surprise yourself!

STYLES YOU CAN PULL STRAIGHT FROM THE BACK OF YOUR CLOSET

So, with the above tip in mind, there’s a few styles you can literally just pull from the back of your closet or drawer without any modifications. Your oversized blazers, claw and butterfly clips, strappy sandals, and gold chains can pop right out. Give them a good wash and adorn yourself.

I love pairing some of the trendier pieces with elements that are more classic for a daily look. A version of the outfit in this post has always been in style, but the mesh slip on, graphic tee, and particular plaid push the look over and give it a 90s vibe without it being a costume.

You could also keep your black denim, sneaks, and plain basic tee, but top it with an acid washed jacket and pull your hair back in a claw clip to get a 90s-00s vibe without investing a ton of $$ if you need to buy new pieces. I’m also wearing a 90s brown lip with just about every outfit these days. And I never stopped wearing claw clips so.

Check out my 90s style Pinterest board for some outfit inspiration that doesn’t feel very OTT and incorporates pieces that are most like staples despite trends in your closet.

STYLES I SUGGEST REINVENTING

Now that we’re all what we thought was old when we were 16, there are some pieces that maybe shouldn’t be duplicated with fidelity. (But don’t shame yourself in the process!) I’ve said it before in this post, but I’ll say it again. Low. Rise. Jeans.

For most of us, they can continue to rot in a pit in hell. If you don’t look like 90s Kate Moss, a low rise can make parts of your body less flattering than they are. They just cut off weird – not to mention a butt crack really wasn’t fashionable even in the 90s-00s. But that doesn’t mean the washes and leg cuts are off limits. And retailers seem to understand that. Acid washed denim in a high waist, straight leg cut can be found fairly easily and it’s a great way to get the look without sacrificing comfort or the ability to squat down.

Personally, I like a more refined brow. But I also think the liner brow can maintain its place in history. It’s not flattering on a lot of face shapes. Instead of duplicating all the 90s makeup looks, think about elements you can bring into your look for your face. Buxom has a huge collection of 90s Nudes lipsticks that are fantastic and it really shows how much variety there is for accomplishing the 90s look. You can find a shade that suits you.

Finally, reinvent anything in the colors/patterns that suit your current lifestyle. If you loved butterfly clips, but can’t go back to that rainbow aesthetic, look for them in a neutral color or break out a DIY. Reinvent anything to make it work for you.