How to Build an Outfit Based on 90s Fashion

From grunge to rave, these are the most iconic 90s styles for men and women

Co-authored by Susan Kim and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: January 23, 2023 References Approved

Outfit Ideas for Women

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Outfit Ideas for Men

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90s Accessories and Hair Styles

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Video

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

The 90s were a wild moment in fashion. Frosted tips, bike shorts, a downright dangerous amount of plaid. The decade was a treasure trove of out-there aesthetics and iconic styles. Whether you’re looking to get down and grungy or prep it up, we’ve got the scoop on 90s outfit ideas for men and women, plus some of the most classic 90s hairstyles and accessories to complete your throwback look.

Things You Should Know

Channel authentic 90s grunge by throwing on baggy ripped jeans, a graphic tee and checkered flannel.
Wear bike shorts, track suits, and colorful windbreakers to really run head first into a 90s sporty vibe.
Don the denim—mom jeans, low rise jeans, denim overalls, and denim jackets were all the rage.
Enhance your look with classic 90s accessories like headbands, mood jewelry, a chain wallet, old school headphones, or a slap bracelet.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Outfit Ideas for Women

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Get grungy with ripped jeans and a baggy tee. Grunge was the counterculture flavor of the decade in the 90s, and was defined by throwing on whatever you had lying on the floor of your room. It’s a look with an attitude that says, “Effort? No thanks.” If it’s thrifted, it’s fair game.^{[1]
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- For max grunge, let your hair get a little greasy, and rummage those old checkered Vans out from your closet. Throw a checkered flannel over the top and you’re ready to hit the skate park.
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A plaid set screams 90s pop culture. Take a cue from Clueless’ Claire Horowitz and party down in plaid. Commitment is key here, we’re talking plaid blazer, plaid skirt, and even plaid knee-high socks. It’s so tacky it loops right back around to classy, and classic.^{[2]
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- Wear a simple low heel and a plain, color-coordinated sweater beneath to break up the pattern and bring the outfit together.
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Dress like royalty in bike shorts and an oversized sweater. Yeah, you read that right. Princess Diana made 90s fashion history when she stepped out in blazing orange bike shorts and a simple too-big sweater. Pay her a much-deserved homage with this comfy, casual, lowkey look.^{[3]
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- Athletic sneakers and scrunched-up calf socks complete this sporty look. Tennis, anyone?
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Pair cargo pants with a crop top for 90s utility. It’s the “big pants, little top” rule, and it’s both timeless and strikingly 90s. The more pockets, the better. This look is coming back in a big way, so ride the style wave and get in early.^{[4]
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- For shoes, go with a chunky sneaker, and strap a fanny pack across your body to add even more throwback-themed pockets.
5
Throw on a big ol’ blazer for ready-made business casual. Even if you’re not hitting the office, a men’s blazer that’s about 3 sizes too big is already half of an iconic 90s outfit. The best part? It’s versatile—any high-waisted pant and small top will do underneath.^{[5]
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Research source} Or go with comfy jeans and a turtleneck for a more elevated look.
- Class it up with heels, or dress it down with white sneakers. And every businesswoman needs a bag, but go small on the clutch to balance the big jacket.
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Slip into a slip. The 90s were absolutely dominated by silky slip dresses. They hit designer runways year after year, then slipped right into the mainstream.^{[6]
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Research source} Wear a slip with spaghetti straps, and layer a plain white short-sleeved T-shirt underneath for a more comfortable look.
- A slip paired with Converse high-tops is total girl-next-door chic. Accessorize with a plastic watch and matching choker.
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Bring your jeans up high… or way down low. The 90s were something of a renaissance for denim. Mom jeans rode high, while low-waisted jeans fell dangerously low. Either option is best worn with a tank top and a studded belt.
- Combat boots are a great add to this look, as is a leather jacket—faux or real, your call.
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Get ready to rave in a neon ensemble. It was the heyday of the PLUR lifestyle (that’s Peace, Love, Unity, Respect, for those studying up on fashion history here), and with ravers came neon. Enough to blind you.^{[7]
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Research source}JNCO jeans and a tank top serve as a base here. The rest is all in the accessories:^{[8]
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- Mix, match, and layer on beaded bracelets, neon sunglasses, rainbow belts, tie-dye bags, leg warmers, separate sleeves, a tiny backpack. Less isn’t more. More is more.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Outfit Ideas for Men

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Jump into overalls for any easy 90s look. From Will Smith to NSYNC, denim overalls were the chart-topping look of the decade. Pants and (most of) a top in a single outfit? Genius. A turtleneck or patterned button-up underneath is top-tier Fresh Prince.^{[9]
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Research source} For added 90s freshness, leave one strap unfastened, like all the cool kids did.
- Dungarees are best paired with Converse high tops or basketball sneakers to really hit home the 90s feel.
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Rule the arcade with a colorful windbreaker and baggy jeans. It’s retro, it’s sporty, it’s surprisingly practical. The key here is all in the design, as not just any windbreaker will do. Bold colors, zany patterns, big sleeves. Some tattered jeans and a T-shirt underneath make this casual but cool.^{[10]
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- The only valid footwear option here is sneakers, and we won’t accept less (or more). To finish the look, throw on a snapback and turn that sucker around.
3
Hit the skatepark with a graphic tee and rolled jeans. Not just any graphic T-shirt, though—stick with 90s themes like pop-punk bands, video games, movies, or colorful graphic designs. Tuck it into a pair of straight, light-blue denim jeans with the cuffs rolled, and layer a flannel over top for simple 90s streetwear.^{[11]
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- Skate shoes like Vans work best with this ensemble, and a bomber jacket drives home the vibe.
4
Work up a sweat in sportswear. Jogging pants, color-blocked sweatshirts, zipped-up lightweight jackets, running shorts, headbands, wristbands, fanny packs. If it looks like you’re about to play a mean match of tennis and hit the mall afterward, you’re winning the 90s game. But since this style is somewhat timeless, be sure to go for big, bold colors to sell the decade-specific vibe and avoid the everyday gym look.^{[12]
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- Running shoes are the move here, to really sell the sporty outfit.
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Throw on a ready-made look with a tracksuit. From hip-hop icons to daytime TV stars, everyone had at least 1 tracksuit. It was basically mandatory. And what’s not to love? It’s an entire coordinated outfit in 2 pieces. The brighter, the better.^{[13]
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- Your shoe choices are many here, but we recommend white tennies. Finish it off with a headband or snapback.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

90s Accessories and Hair Styles

1
Pin your hair back with butterfly clips. They’re cute, they’re plastic, they remind you of toy commercials that used to play between blocks on the Cartoon Network. Pull your hair back and fix it in place with these tiny accessories, or just stick ‘em in there without a plan. Either way, they’re a 90s essential.^{[14]
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Go for a decade-spanning look with scrunchies. They were big in the 80s and stayed chic in the 90s, so why not make them back for another round? Pull your hair into a high pony, or twin buns on either side of your head, then secure it with a chunky scrunchie or 2. The chunkier, the better.^{[15]
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Stay fresh with frosted tips. The 90s dared to ask the important questions, like, what if you bleached your hair, but only the very ends? Enter frosted tips. There’s probably nothing more 90s than this ‘do sported by everyone from Justin Timberlake to Guy Fieri. Commit to the frosted tips, and it almost doesn’t matter what you’re wearing down below. You’re a 90s icon, and it’s as simple as that.^{[16]
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Test the vibe with a mood ring. They change color with your mood! Supposedly. More likely, they change color with the temperature of your skin, but what’s the difference? Mood jewelry was huge at the turn of the century, and provides a glam, multicolored accent to any outfit.^{[17]
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Keep things secure with a chain wallet. Theft-proof and fashion-forward, what more could you ask? Chain wallets were in with the grunge crowd, and were popularized by the likes of Kurt Cobain. Drape a chain from a belt loop to your back pocket to let everyone know you know your fashion history, and that you’re wallet ain’t going anywhere.^{[18]
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Don’t forget your discman headphones. Nowadays we like things wireless, but back then these flimsy wraparound headphones were en-vogue, and today they’re a prime throwback accessory. Carry around your handy discman and your fav CD to really commit.^{[19]
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Make it rock with a studded belt. Or a studded choker. Or a studded bracelet. Or a studded purse strap. Point is, studs were in, and people threw them onto almost anything they could find. They don’t go with every outfit, but that’s beside the point. Actually, the more it clashes, the better.^{[20]
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Slap on a slap bracelet. Growing up in the 90s was brutal. Kids would literally have to slap on their accessories, and only the toughest survived. Okay so maybe it wasn’t that brutal. At any rate, slap bracelets were the most popular way to hurt your friends and call it fashion.^{[21]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What trends were popular in the 90s?

Susan Kim
Professional Stylist
Susan Kim is the owner of Sum+Style Co., a Seattle-based personal styling company focused on innovative and approachable fashion. She has over 5 years of experience in the fashion industry, and received her AA from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Susan Kim

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Clothing like bandanna tops and oversized baggy jeans were really popular styles in the 90s.
Question

What kind of t-shirt should you wear if you don't have any band named or skating t-shirts?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

A plain white or solid-colored tee works well, but the more colorful, the better!
Question

If it's summer, then what should I wear for the 90's?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Try wearing capri pants and a tank top, with plenty of 90s accessories. Or go with denim overall shorts!