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It’s not uncommon for today’s fashion scene to look back on the 1990s with total admiration. From the minimalist aesthetic that defined much of the era to the roster of iconic supermodels who were part of the grungy club scene, the ’90s continue to provide an endless source of inspiration for fashion lovers. With so much enduring fascination surrounding the clothes and characters of the time, Vogue has called upon several of its editors and an A-list cast to tell the definitive story of the fashion industry during that decade in a new six-part documentary series, In Vogue: The 90s.
Vogue’s Ultimate ’90s-Era Must-Haves:
- The Cropped Leather Jacket: Mango leather crop blazer, $400
- The Minimalist Handbag: The Row round 90s leather top-handle bag, $1,190
- The CBK-Approved Headband: Sophie Buhai Bessette headband, $250
- The Flannel Shirt: Róhe checked cotton-flannel shirt, $350
- The Barely-There Ballet Flat: Everlane the Day Ballet Flats, $148
- The Suede Staple: Madewell x Alexa Chung double-breasted blazer, $498
- The Sleek Straight-Leg Denim: DL1961 denim Romie straight jeans, $239
- The Slip Dress: Faithfull Etienne lace-trimmed midi-dress, $340
- The Moto Boot: Ganni mid-shaft biker boots, $845
- The Modern Lady Jacket: Toteme wool-blend grain de poudre jacket, $1,040
With key figures in the series including Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Campbell, Victoria Beckham, and Kate Moss as inspiration, we’ve crafted 10’ 90s-inspired outfits that not only spotlight the fall season’s hero buys but also capture the spirit of the era we all know and love. There are masterfully minimal moments, edgy yet elevated essentials, sporty styles to steal, and so much more. Inspire your fall capsule wardrobe with these’ 90s-esque outfits, and don’t forget to stream part one of In Vogue: The 90s, which premieres today, September 13.
Minimalist Dressing, the Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Way
If there’s any It girl’s style worth stealing, it’s the beloved Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Often considered the ultimate ghost-fluencer, Bessette-Kennedy’s lineup of looks included luxurious leather tailoring, flattering A-line skirts, minimalist handbags, and her signature tortoiseshell headbands. For fall 2024, re-create her style with pieces from Mango, Toteme, The Row, and Banana Republic.
We’ll Always Have Teen Spirit With a Flannel Shirt
Minimalism isn’t the only defining trend of the ’90s era. Thanks to bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Sonic Youth, grunge was equally as important. And the hero item that reigned supreme among them all? The worn-in flannel shirt. Style it here with Proenza Schouler’s tie-dye jeans, Everlane’s red-hot ballet flats, and Khaite’s python-print shoulder bag. A cord necklace and silver cat-eye sunnies are essential to get you through those late nights.
The ’90s Skirt Memo: Legs for Days
Before skirts got the ladylike, shin-grazing treatment that we’re partial to today, they were mini and as skin baring as ever, with early adopters including Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. And for fall 2024 Sabato De Sarno at Gucci has taken note. The brand’s buttery yellow leather mini is a chic closet cohort for Madewell’s oversized blazer. Not only is this ’90s outfit a play on proportions but textures too! Finish it off with Theory’s cropped cashmere sweater, a pair of knee-high boots from Staud, and Toteme’s leather shoulder bag.
A Touch of Sheer Transcends Time
Who could forget Kate Moss’s 1993 iconic sheer-dress moment outside the Elite model agency party for the Look of the Year contest? We certainly can’t, and it inspired this next ’90s outfit. While not entirely sheer, Third Form’s slip is the perfect amount of sexy. For your 9-to-5, style it with H&M’s sweeping wool overcoat, a pair of kitten-heel pumps from COS, and Coach’s covetable top-handle bag.
An Oversized Bomber Jacket Is a ’90s Model-Off-Duty Must-Have
From the ’90s to now, oversized leather bomber jackets add laid-back cool to even the most polished minimalist looks. Banana Republic’s under-$1,000 option is every bit as luxurious, pairing well with everything from crisp button-ups to straight-leg denim—another style signature of the era. Havaianas’s square-toe flip-flops were a favorite of the aforementioned CBK and are, in our opinion, the ultimate transitional-shoe staple. Get the look below.
Edgy but Elegant Is the Name of This ’90s Game
Stomp into fall in style with this latest ’90s-inspired look. Start with Prada’s funnel-neck leather jacket, which gave us instant heart eyes when it debuted on the fall-winter 2024 runway, and layer it over Faithfull’s slinky, lace-trim slip dress. Ganni’s moto boots add just a touch of grunge, while accessories from Alaïa and Sophie Buhai bring the cool—as if you needed it.
Go Sporty Spice With a Zip-Up, Retro Sneakers, and a Wide Headband
Sporty style is no longer limited to the confines of athleisure. We have Victoria Beckham’s jersey zip-up sweater, a pair of retro sneakers from Mango, and Lelet’s thick black headband to thank for that. And in many ways this elevated athletic attire nods back to the ’90s, when icons like Sporty Spice and Mary J. Blige showed off their take on the trend. Saint Laurent’s leopard-print tote and a pair of yellow-tinted sunnies from COS go the extra mile.
Ladylike Dressing: Then and Now
A-line skirts, lady jackets, chic day clutches: These are just a few of the It items making up this fall’s ladylike-dressing trend. Give it the ’90s treatment with Toteme’s collarless jacket, Ferragamo’s micromini, and a pair of red-hot strappy sandals from The Row. We’re pretty sure supermodel Claudia Schiffer would have worn this exact look.
Slouchy and Undone, With a High-Fashion Touch
A Hole reunion seems like too much to hope for, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dress for the occasion! JW Anderson’s slouchy, tie-detail sweater requires minimal effort, and with the additions of Frank & Eileen’s oversized flannel and a pair of casual corduroys, you get a look that’s cool, relaxed, and fashion-forward all at once. Lean into the edginess of it all by accessorizing with Tory Burch’s studded flats and Khaite’s tote.
Before Goop, It Was ’90s Gwyneth Paltrow
Let Khaite’s burgundy leather maxiskirt take center stage, and style it with Guest in Residence’s lightweight cashmere crewneck and Zara’s timeless khaki trench coat. A pair of tasseled leather loafers from Weejuns pack on the prep, while Madewell’s soft suede tote brings this look straight into the now. Top it all off in a pair of tortoiseshell sunnies—that is how we started, after all!
