Before you walk away in disgust, hold up. 1990’s fashion may not be as bad as you once thought. Yes, the colors were garish. Yes, the cuts were disproportionate. Yes, we have to scour the subject to find the slightest touch of style in the wardrobe of this ‘unique’ era. But that doesn’t prevent us from going back, almost every year, to bring the 90s trends back to life those rare pieces that thrilled a whole generation.
In fashion, we can count on seeing the T-shirts, loose shirts and hoodies of the 1990s, but reinterpreted in 2021 style — meaning more feminine, softer, and less… showy. The trend is not new, but rather a natural continuation of the advent of comfortable pieces to wear at home and at work. Unlike in past years, the emphasis will be on the fabric, with a preference for more delicate and refined textiles, or even softer shades, so that chic styles come into play and edge out some of the sportswear inspiration in vogue in recent seasons.
One of the biggest 90’s comebacks is the skort — a genius garment that was rendered uncool almost too quickly by your middle school frenemy — is back, and its throngs of fans can cartwheel and high kick in peace once again. Though it’s long had a presence in the world of athleisure, the skort is popping up across a variety of aesthetics and price points for summer. Contemporary brands like Simon Miller, Nanushka and Sandro have been weaving it into recent collections; on the luxury end of the spectrum, Balmain and Valentino have put their own sophisticated spin on a silhouette that makes us reminisce about long days spent playing outside. And Skylight published a whole report on its comeback.
And that’s not the only piece last spotted in your closet somewhere between the ’90s and early 2000s that’s coming back on must-have lists. Corset tops, claw clips, scrunchies, trucker hats, bucket hats, baguette bags, chunky jewelry, and platform sandals have, too, been deemed relevant once again, which is exciting, and hey, a lot of the styles from the 90’s were comfortable too, which in this pandemic era, makes a lot of these styles “must haves.”
Speaking of which, baggy is BACK, folks, and not a moment too soon. Gone are slim- and skinny-cut jeans, which are anyway far too restrictive for our new way of living and working. It’s the baggy cut that will be the denim star in 2021. With its ultra-wide legs, it offers absolute comfort without giving up on style — or almost. From Bella Hadid to Hailey Baldwin, many stars have made it their favorite piece of clothing at the beginning of this year, and some fashion addicts have even renamed it “wide-leg jeans” in its most modern version with a higher and less ample waist, to give it a more chic look.
But in 2021, the advantage is that the baggy cut is now available in a wide range of shapes, colors and materials to suit most people. Cargo, perforated, faded, asymmetrical, in leather or imitation leather and even colorful, there is something for all tastes and styles. Worn with sneakers, chunky boots, even heels for the bravest, it will be the centerpiece of your wardrobe until summer.
When it comes to accessories, who could forget the big chains worn by rappers in the ’90s and 2000s? Well they’re making a comeback but in a less blinged-out version. To embellish your most minimalist outfits, homewear or sportswear trends, what could be better than oversized jewelry? In any case, it’s what most designers and major brands are betting on at the beginning of this year, in order to put a bit of boldness into your wardrobe.
But be careful not to overdo it. This isn’t a reboot of the maximalist trend of recent years. Forget about rhinestones, sequins, and patterns of all kinds, and focus on minimalist models such as bangles, chains, ear studs, or hoops, and adopt them in an XXL format, in gold or silver according to your tastes and desires.
As for our beauty looks, there appears to also be a return to some of the extravagance of the 1990s, from the mullet haircut with dark roots showing (on blonde locks) to the ultra-thin eyebrows that we thought were (and should really have been) gone for good. Hey, not all the 90’s comebacks are winners, but they are definitely back in style. And that’s not all: the toy world also seems to have succumbed to nostalgia with the return of, among others, the emblematic Tamagotchi and vintage consoles.
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