The 25 Best 90s Fashion Trends That Still Work in 2025

Chances are, at least one of your outfits from the past month pays homage to ‘90s fashion trends — whether you intended for it to or not. Retro style has a sneaky way of sliding into closets, not fully taking over with ‘fits that scream “vintage!” but element by element. A velvet choker here here, a muted brown lip there, a few romps in a pair of platform sandals or combat boots. Before you know it, you’ll have strangers stopping you on the street and telling you your outfit has major Cindy Crawford vibes (we can only dream).

Like with any other decade in fashion, some trends come and others go, never to be relived again. But the ‘90s arguably left us with a higher number of wardrobe mainstays. It was an especially vibrant time for micro style, bold accessories, effortlessly cool mish-mashes, and having fun with what you wear. Even some of the more questionable ‘90s styles (we’re looking at you, capri pants) have seen comebacks in 2025.

So while fashion is cyclical — as was true during the ‘90s themselves, when ‘70s- and ‘30s-inspired looks were in — we’re pretty sure this era of fashion will never cycle out of style. That’s also because when we talk about ‘90s fashion, we’re talking about a huge number of distinctly iconic style moments. This is, after all, the decade that gave us streetwear-glam girl groups (see: TLC), minimalist ‘90s suiting (as dictated by brands like Calvin Klein and Armani), off-duty supermodel fashion (tipping our hats to you, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss), and, of course, ‘90s grunge fashion (we’ll take every babydoll dress Courtney Love ever wore, thanks). From ‘90s hip hop style and clubwear to preppy ‘90s looks, there’s a near-endless well of sartorial inspo to draw from.

Ready to channel what may have just been the best decade for fashion? (We said it!) Whether you’re dressing up for a ‘90s party or just looking to add a little “it’s the ‘90s!” oomph to your wardrobe, it’s easier than ever to find new ‘90s-inspired pieces from modern brands. Case in point: We’ve pulled together the best ‘90s fashion trends with modern dupes below, all ripe for the repurposing. Even better? Take this list with you to the thrift store and score the real deal.

Bucket Hats

We can’t talk about the best ‘90s fashion and not mention the iconic bucket hat. Today you can find them in various styles, fabrics, colors, and designs, ready to pair with everything from chic summer sundresses and casual denim jumpsuits to sporty athleisure. Want to really go full ‘90s with it? Opt for a faux fur bucket hat in a fun color or pattern.

Baby Tees

Midriffs were all the rage when it came to ‘90s fashion trends. Not quite crop tops, baby tees just look like a smaller version of a regular-length t-shirt. Sometimes they have colorful cuffs on the sleeves and neckline, sometimes they don’t. But they’re painfully adorable and have made a comeback.

Slip Dresses

You can’t go to a wedding reception or a club without spotting at least one slip dress on the dance floor. They come in all colors, they’re sexy and comfortable (a hard combo to nail), and you can find them in all price ranges and sizes. The classic ‘90s slip dress is characterized by its under-the-knee, shin-skimming hem, though you can find shorter slip dresses, too. Look for a straight, high neckline or a low-hanging cowl neck number with adjustable spaghetti straps. Either one makes for a classically chic dress you’ll keep forever.

Headbands

Headbands in general were a staple of ‘90s outfits, meaning there’s a bunch of different throwback styles to choose from. For one, there’s the wide fabric headband, as seen on Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) and Dionne Davenport (Stacey Dash) in Clueless and on Selena Gomez more recently. There’s also the tortoiseshell headband, loved by ‘90s icon Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and today-icon Keke Palmer, who went full Y2K with a zig-zag style. From padded headbands to bow-topped, scrunchie-like versions, headbands are a low-fuss way to pull together all kinds of outfits, whether the target aesthetic is preppy or sporty.

Bike Shorts

They aren’t just for the gym anymore. Bike shorts are surprisingly versatile, whether you pair them with a sports bra and a blazer or toss on a crew-neck sweatshirt, Princess Diana style. And while black bike shorts may be the most popular pick nowadays, they still come in all colors of the rainbow. Though, you will see fewer neon pairs on the sidewalk now than you would have in a rack of ‘90s clothes.

Combat Boots

Combat boots have been a mainstay in fashion for decades, but ‘90s grunge fashion was built off of the footwear. Doc Martens may be the most popular brand, beloved for its varied collection of boot styles, but there are so many different styles on the market. Classic combat boots are secured with laces, but there are designs with zippers available. Either way, the heavy design is inspired by the military boots worn by soldiers in combat.

Claw Clips

When a simple hair band won’t do the trick, consider taking a step back in time and collecting all of those strands with a hair claw for a perfect ‘90s look. Available in a range of sizes and designs, it’s a straightforward plastic design that traps locks in place. In the ‘90s, they were used mainly in casual outfits, as a way to quickly get hair out of the face. Today, you’ll see them in every situation, from strolls to the farmers market to wedding day hairstyles.

Velvet Suits

Velvet, in general, was a big part of 1990s fashion. And velvet suiting may be one of the simplest ways to channel ‘90s style today. Whether it’s a velvet collar, vest, or a head-to-toe velvet look, the texture adds a playful, romantic touch to formalwear. FYI: A pair of velvet pajamas can totally be dressed up, too!

Plaid Flannel Shirts

Though it’s had popularity peaks, at the end of the day, plaid flannel has never really left the trend train. There aren’t many (casual) situations where flannel isn’t a good choice: it’s perfect for hikes, grocery store visits, lounging at home, or going out with friends. And it’s about as 1990s as it gets.

Fanny Packs

There’s a big difference in how fanny packs are worn today compared to the 1990s. Instead of looping them around the waist as they were designed to be worn, fashionmongers of the 2020s like to sport them cross-body — like a little easy-to-access pouch that’s even easier to take on and off. JanSport was the leading fanny pack provider in the ‘90s, but you’ll find plenty of other options today — from luxe leather fanny packs to the ever-popular Lululemon belt bag.

Flared Jeans

Flared jeans are right where 1990s fashion meets the new millenium. They’ve been a divisive denim choice in years since, but Kendrick Lamar arguably changed all that with his 2025 Super Bowl look. In short, bell bottoms and bootcuts are back, baby. Look for a full-length (not cropped) pair in a light or medium wash to really go Y2K with it. Rips and peekaboo butt crack optional!

Hoop Earrings

Quick history lesson: While hoop earrings have been around for millennia, in the U.S., their origin as a culturally significant fashion statement is often linked to the flapper Josephine Baker and to Chicano Pachucas, a Mexican American women’s counterculture group in the 1930s and 1940s. In the 1970s, large hoops became a go-to style worn by Black and Latina disco artists and activists, and by the 1990s, they were a staple of ‘90s hip hop, rap, and R&B fashion.