Suddenly, Everyone Is Wearing These Classic '90s Trends

For those of us old enough to remember ’90s fashion the first time around, we had mixed feelings about the return of some classically ’90s trends. After all, the same decade that made style icons of Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy also gave us handkerchief hemlines, platform trainers and copious amounts of body glitter, and if you too spent most of the 1990s in denim skirts and plastic chokers, you may be reading this with trepidation. Before you panic though, thanks to a TikTok revival of all things 1990s to Y2K fashion, Gen Z is rediscovering the very best that the 1990s had to offer, and there are some key pieces that are garnering our attention once again. For every fashion faux pas there are two trends that still look good today, and Instagram's best dressed are already ahead of the curve.

After scrolling through socials and digging deep into the feeds of trendsetters and tastemakers, I began to spot plenty of trends that grew in popularity nearly 30 years ago, but still look fresh today. (And if you've bought any straight jeans, Adidas trainers, or bandeau tops in the last 12 months, you can count yourselves among the insiders.) So, should you be looking for new trends ahead of a seasonal refresh, or you're just a sucker for nostalgia, keep scrolling to see the 8 classic ’90s trends that everyone has been wearing again in 2024.

1. Minimalist Basics

Style Notes: First to ease you in gently, a nod to the minimalism that defined the early 90s, in the form of versatile basics. The runways showed Calvin Klein and Helmut Lang's take on stripped-back staples, and on the streets we stocked up on tank tops, fitted tees and maxi skirts (usually accompanied by a denim jacket). Thankfully, this refined approach doesn't age, and the same key pieces form the foundations of our capsule wardrobes in 2024, particularly in the same neutral colour palette of white, black, grey and camel.

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2. Straight Leg Jeans

Style Notes: There have been so many denim trends and jean styles released over the last year that its almost impossible to keep up. Are we wearing low-slung baggy jeans? Have skinny jeans really made a comeback? Are barrel and horseshoe jeans the future or fundamentally unflattering? Instead of trying to guess the next big thing, we're happy staying to the classic that everyone knows and loves—the straight leg. Not only does it work for every size and shape, but you're unlikely to look back at pictures in 20 years and wonder what you were thinking.

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3. Pedal Pushers

Style Notes: After cargo pants made a comeback in 2023, it was only a matter of time before the other most divisive trouser would be set to return too. Whether you call them capri pants or pedal pushers, the three-quarter crop is suddenly everywhere again, and once it's made it's way onto the high street, you know you've got a commercially successful trend on your hands. Could the pedal pusher be the trouser trend of 2024? There's a strong possibility.

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4. Biker Boots

Style Notes: Fashion people are so besotted by grunge-inspired biker boots that they wore them through the summer months, too. It was Miu Miu who kickstarted the revival back in A/W ’22 with the Sienna boot, and it has steadily garnered popularity ever since, peaking on the A/W ’24 runways with iterations from Coach, Burberry and Alexander McQueen. With just a quick stroll on Instagram, you're bound to see biker boots styled with everything from mini skirts to baggy jeans—or given the classic ’90s treatment with a floral slip dress.

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5. Baguette Bags

Style Notes: Ever since Carrie Bradshaw uttered the immortal words "it's not a bag, it's a baguette" , fashion insiders have been infatuated with the idea of the dream mini bag that nestles perfectly under the arm when worn on the shoulder. XXL totes and teeny top handle bags may come and go, but a bag the right size to carry your essentials is forever, especially when it carries the logo of the most sought after names in fashion.

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6. Slip Dresses

Style Notes: Slip dresses have stood the test of time and solidified themselves as true wardrobe staples for their sheer versatility alone. While the "trendiness" of slip dresses ebbs and flows like the fashion cycle itself, there isn't a more on-trend piece than the elevated basic that is front and centre in the recent collections of Bevza, Celine and Gucci. Looking for new ways to wear the simple dress? Google slip dress icons like Courtney Love, Kate Moss, and more recently, Olivia Rodrigo.

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7. Mules

Style Notes: Want something dressier than a biker boot? Look no further than a grown-up mule. These slip-on shoes are perfect for A/W event wear—not that you have to save them for formal occasions. While 30 years ago we might have been tempted to style these with jeans and a matching denim jacket, right now we're copying Lorna's elegant take on everyday dressing [pictured above].

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8. Tracksuit Bottoms

Style Notes: The Spice Girls, All Saints, TLC, all the greats wore tracksuit bottoms at one stage, and if you're getting bored of wearing the same jeans on rotation, track pants are just as easy to style up too. Wear with a blazer, or oversized leather jacket, or longline trench/maxi coat—heck, you can even wear them with a heeled mules and cami tops if you want to make them evening appropriate too. It's almost criminal that a trouser this comfy can look so good.

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This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.