The '90s Were the Golden Age of Airport Style—11 Iconic Outfits I'd Happily Recreate Today
There's a special relationship between the '90s and fashion. Designers continually draw inspiration from the decade for collections, fashion editors and influencers regularly pay homage to icons of the time—including Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell—at any given opportunity, and notable items such as the slip dress and baggy denim have been an integral part of stylish women's everyday uniforms for years.
It's safe to say, the '90s are here to stay, and what better way to marry our love for this effortlessly cool decade with our need for airport outfit inspiration, than digging up archival photographs of some of the best looks from the decade? And considering nostalgic pieces are at the forefront of most people's outfit formulas right now, it's so easy to recreate these memorable airport looks, the 2024 way.
1. Tank Top + Blue Jeans + Animal Print Bag
Style Notes: Nineties Kate Moss with effortless-looking denim will forever go hand in hand.
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2. Trench Coat + Capri Pants + Oval Sunglasses
Style Notes: Naomi Campbell knows how to exit an aircraft in style, and with capri pants being back in a big way this year, you can easily find a pair to suit you.
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3. Denim Jacket + Logo T-shirt + Leggings
Style Notes: It doesn't get much more '90s than a Calvin Klein tee and Tyra Banks, does it?
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4. Leather Blazer + Roll Neck + High Waisted Jeans
Style Notes: As one of the most stylish supermodels, Cindy Crawford created effortless outfits from items most people will already own.
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We all know the A/C can be cold, so it's important to have cosy layers.
5. Printed Co-ord + Woven Bag
Style Notes: Co-ords are everywhere this season, and Courtney Love was a pioneer of the pyjama dressing movement.
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You can also throw this shirt over your swimwear when you're on vacay.
Dragon Diffusion bags are so gorgeous, they sell out so quick.
6. V-neck T-shirt + Slip Skirt + Trainers
Style Notes: One of the most '90s outfit equations, Gwyneth Paltrow shows how the tied-around-the-waist look will never fail to look cool.
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Alexa Chung has already confirmed Chucks are back.
7. White Top + Denim Dungarees + Jumper
Style Notes: Sarah Michelle Gellar embraced the comfort factor of overalls, and now we want to copy and paste the look for 2024.
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8. Oversized Suit + Loafers
Style Notes: Yes, another Cindy Crawford look, but we can't not appreciate this slouchy suit and loafers duo.
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9. Leather Jacket + White T-shirt + Cap
Style Notes: From the baseball cap to the tie-waist leather jacket, everything about Halle Berry's ensemble is gold.
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10. Cami Dress + Mules + Slim Sunglasses
Style Notes: The slip dress, the heeled mules, the skinny shades, it's Mariah Carey iconic outfit perfection at its finest. Including the flip phone!
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11. White T-shirt + Bright Trousers + Printed Shoes
Style Notes: In her Johnny Depp era, Kate Moss was seen wearing a tight white tee, bright trousers and leopard print mules. So we now want to wear this look to hopefully get an instant upgrade.
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Harriet Davey is a freelance fashion editor who has been part of Who What Wear's extended team since 2017. She previously worked in print at Look magazine and has since worked across print, digital and social for many other titles, including British Vogue, Stylist, Grazia, Refinery29 and Marie Claire. Also a stylist, Harriet has had the pleasure of producing cover shoots and editorials along with commercial shoots for brands including Boux Avenue, Watches of Switzerland, Benefit Cosmetics and Revolution. To add to this, Harriet also works in live TV styling for ITV’s This Morning.Back to Who What Wear. With hundreds of published stories on site, Harriet knows what the WWW reader wants. Keeping up to date with the latest It buys and runway trends, she can guarantee to keep you one step ahead of the most stylish people.When not writing or styling, Harriet loves to go shopping (yes, more fashion). If she’s not in a local Hackney bar or restaurant, you can find her forever searching for her next holiday destination.