These Were the Best Celebrity Outfits From December 1998

Fun fact: Some of the most stylish celebrities two decades ago are still some of the most stylish celebrities today. Take, for example, Jennifer Lopez, whose wardrobe is still breathlessly covered as often as it was in the '90s. Just for fun—and because '90s nostalgia is kind of the best nostalgia—we took a trip back to December 1998 in search of the best celebrity winter outfits of the '90s. The likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts, Jessica Biel, and more were quite busy with movie premieres, travel, and holiday-season events that month, so our search proved quite fruitful.

Two decades ago, as is the case in December 2018, the celebrity set flaunted many "extra" looks and, unlike in 2018, lots of all-black outfits. With plenty of holiday parties and gatherings with family and friends on the horizon, you're sure to gather some inspo from the following 20 standout celebrity outfits from December 2018. Keep scrolling to see what we mean. FYI: They're mostly in random order, but we saved the best for last.

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Salma Hayek at the Faculty premiere on December 21, 1998
(Image credit: Getty Images)

I dress worth showing off, indeed, Salma.

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Gwyneth Paltrow at the Shakespeare in Love premiere on December 8, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

We're re-creating this exact outfit combo for our next holiday party.

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Elizabeth Hurley at an auction in London on December 8, 1998
(Image credit: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Dave Benett/Getty Images

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Jessica Biel at the Playing by Heart premiere on December 10, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Jessica Biel pulled off the '90s grunge look with aplomb.

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Jennifer Lopez at the White Rose Awards Gala on December 1, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella/WireImage)

Twenty years later, Jennifer Lopez is still knocking it out of the park at every event.

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Christina Applegate at the Golden Globes nominations on December 17, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

This minimalist look will never go out of style.

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Madonna at the Fire and Ice Ball on December 9, 1998
(Image credit: Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images)

We're pretty sure Madonna could and would still rock this today.

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Charlize Theron at LAX on December 16, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

We want to wear this jeans-and–ankle boots combo stat.

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Julia Roberts at the Stepmom premiere on December 15, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Julia Roberts's off-duty style may be simple, but then she steps onto the red carpet in looks like this.

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Meg Ryan with Tom Hanks at the You've Got Mail premiere on December 10, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Leather coats are back, and this may be exactly why.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar at the Playing by Heart premiere on December 10, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images)

That purple coat, though.

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Angelina Jolie at the Playing by Heart premiere on December 10, 1998
(Image credit: Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images)

So, Angelina Jolie's style clearly hasn't changed much.

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Winona Ryder at a screening on December 3, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Proof of the power of a good statement coat.

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Gwyneth Paltrow at LAX on December 29, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Note the headband, which is a '90s trend that's back in a big way.

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Julianne Moore at the Shakespeare in Love premiere on December 3, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

The sweater styling, leopard-print bag, and patent leather shoes are all very 2018.

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Naomi Campbell at a fundraiser on December 3, 1998
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Nicole Kidman at the Blue Room opening night on December 13, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Turquoise jewelry is another accessory trend that's making a comeback.

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Tia and Tamera Mowry at the Prince of Egypt premiere on December 16, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Nineties outerwear inspo.

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Milla Jovovich at the Stepmom premiere on December 15, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage )

We just had to include this over-the-top look.

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Cindy Crawford at the Fire and Ice Ball on December 8, 1998
(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

The bag, the shoes, the furry straps… It's all just too good, and we'd wear it tomorrow.

Next up, what cool girls were wearing in fall 1998.

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.