Kelly Saiz
It’s been a decade since the 90s were a thing of the past. Oh the 90s. That decade of grungy flannel shirts inspired by Nirvana’s front man Kurt Cobain. It’s also the decade that we recognize for its fiercely youthful and gothic flair. Dark lipstick, waif figures like Kate Moss, and the basic black T might come to mind.
2009: peace signs, flashy sneakers, sweatshirts, converse, Ugg boots (will they ever die?), jeans, jeans, jeans, flip-flops, khakis, and neon. Maybe we assume that the turn of the millennium brought on fresh ideas. Or maybe we think that most of the trends have been recycled thanks to the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Why do we forget the 90s?
The truth is this: mainstream fashion in the 90s is conceptually similar to the double Os (60s, 70s, 80s…). Guess what? Hippie, preppy, grunge, hip-hop, and punk have all been introduced as the popular trend options today, just like in the 90s.
1993 brought on the reinstatement of bell-bottoms and crochet vests—hippie themes for sure. Most recently in the current decade we have created our own spin on the 60s love-child look. A 2009 hippie is only appropriate if clothed in tie-dye, fringed boots, organic accessories, or peace signs from head to toe. Not so original, huh?
Fast-forward to the late nineties circa 1998, when hip-hop fashion prevailed. Thanks to artists like Snoop Dogg there were baggy jeans, oversized sweatshirts, gold chains, and puffy jackets. The 2009 version? Baggy sweatpants, kicks, oversized sweatshirts, and flat brim hats.
Take a look at the runways, though, and you see ideas that are cutting-edge. Safari and tribal theme became popular among big name fashion houses starting in 2007, including Lanvin, Proenza Schouler, Donna Karan, and Hermes.
The runways are not very different from the streets though, in that they are commonly inspired by the decades. This year, 50s came into vogue for the spring while the fall/winter looks were undeniably 80s inspired. Shoulder pads to the extreme? Just take a look at Rihanna and Lady Gaga.
Mix and match them as you like—but don’t deny that the fashion norm in the 2000s has been a little less than newfangled.
