FYI: This Is How Celebs Did Loungewear in the '90s
Hardly a day goes by when we don't mine our favorite decade—the good old '90s—for style inspiration. I know we sound like a broken record at this point, but I swear we wouldn't be bringing it up nonstop if the decade's pared-back and minimalist aesthetic wasn't truly more relevant than it's ever been. Now, up until this point, we've waxed poetic about the 1990s outfits that are on the more elevated end of the style spectrum, narrowing in on red carpet and street style looks, but today, we're turning our lens on an often overlooked part of '90s style: the loungewear.
To be fair, it's harder to come across these loungewear looks of yore because celebs were rarely spotted by the cameras in their off-duty ensembles back in the day like they are now. But sure enough, with a bit more effort and a deeper dive into photo archives, we've uncovered a few of these celeb ensembles that feel so right for our current comfy era. Courtesy of stars like Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lopez, we're sharing a glimpse of what loungewear looked like in the '90s and, of course, the shopping options to emulate it.
You already know we were about to comment on Jen's basic tank-top–and–cargo-trousers look, but now that we have you here, Brads is also worth admiring, no? Since jeans are low on the priority list, these outfits are making a strong case for making relaxed utility pants a go-to instead.
Get the look:
Tip: Ordering these tanks in a women's size ensures they will have the same shrunken look as Jen's.
This J.Lo look from 1996 is just *chefs kiss*. As we know, any type of ribbed knitwear automatically looked more elevated, and we love the way she left the bottom few buttons undone on her cardigan. It all feels quite current.
Get the look:
Comfy and on-trend.
If you looked at the feeds of the most influential fashion girls right now, you'd see more than one similarity between their loungewear looks and this throwback Julia Roberts outfit—basic joggers, tall socks, and retro sneakers, just to name a few.
Get the look:
As divisive and cheap as they may be, tube socks are happening.
Yep, cardigans were a key staple then just like they are now, and Kate Moss's easy layering trick to keep one button done over a basic tank is giving us another fresh way to wear our knits.
Get the look:
If you're ready to give your sweatpants a break, Halle Berry's sporty vibe with track pants might just be the answer you were looking for. True to the decade's form, she styled her nylon joggers with a baby tee, slim sunglasses, and crisp white sneakers. Honestly, we'd do the same now.
Get the look:
Fun fact: I just ordered these myself and now I plan to wear them like Halle Berry.
If crisp white sneakers were a thing then, they'll be a thing for the next 20-plus years, too.
Celebs were all about the sporty logos with their loungewear and athletic looks in the '90s.
Get the look:
Easily transition these from the couch to the running path.
Speaking of the '90s, Zoë Kravitz is mastering the decade's looks in her latest show High Fidelity.
Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.
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