In recent years, style-savvy people have become more and more obsessed with the 90s since this era reflects a cool and playful time for fashion. It was a great time for fashion icons on film such as Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel in Friends, or Julia Robert’s character in Pretty Woman. Moreover, a lot of looks from the decade have been replicated and made available everywhere to this day.
Take for instance fashion label Miu Miu, which brought back 90’s minimalism for its Spring 2023 collection. Even clothing retailers such as Zara and H&M are all about the 90s as you can find baggy jeans, oversized sweaters, skimpy tank tops, and tiny backpacks in their stores to nail that grungy-girly look. Anyone can achieve the 90s aesthetic by picking the right clothes and accessories, but it’s important to choose wisely to avoid looking dated. For some fashion inspiration, check out these iconic 90s films for awesome looks that are still relevant today.
Clueless (1995)
If there’s one fashion-centric film that everyone remembers from the 90s, it’s none other than Clueless. The film stars Alicia Silverstone as Cher, an affluent Beverly Hills teen who views herself as a matchmaker and gives stunning makeovers to her friends. The opening scene alone is iconic as it shows Cher picking out her school outfit with the help of computer software, and later, she’s seen in a stylish, yellow checkered blazer and short skirt combo. This outfit has been referenced throughout the years by so many fashion brands, and apart from this, other looks such as the white Calvin Klein mini dress and Cher’s PE class getup remain very wearable to this day.
To update the yellow checkered outfit, omit the knee-high stockings and replace the white Mary Janes with a pair of white sneakers. Remember to keep your sneakers clean and spotless by washing them as often as needed. Make it a point to keep them in a protective mesh bag before placing them in the washer to clean your shoes without damaging them.
Reality Bites (1994)
Starring Winona Ryder as Lelaina, this 90s film offers an insightful look at the lives of young 20-somethings as they pursue their dreams fresh out of college. Though the film wasn’t one of the biggest blockbusters of 1995, its killer soundtrack, witty one-liners, and cool yet relatable fashion won over a lot of young adults when it was released. Some of the most memorable looks in the film include Lelaina’s red shirt with the sleeves cut off, paired with dark shades, blue jeans, and red lipstick. Lelaina and Vickie (Janeane Garofalo) also wore a lot of floral print dresses paired with platforms or Mary Janes– you can do the same, but wear sneakers or combat boots instead.
Empire Records (1995)
This film follows a day in the life of a young and diverse group of people who work in a record store. Though it was considered as a box office flop, it became a cult classic due to its lovable characters, quotable lines, and achingly cool fashion looks. The film’s poster shows off all of the main characters’ outfits, ranging from Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger’s cropped sweaters and short skirts to Ethan Embry’s slouchy red shirt paired with skinny chinos. All of the clothing shown in the film can still be worn today and look relevant, so whether you’re feeling like a goth goddess, a beatnik, a rocker, or a preppy student, there’s an Empire Records outfit for that.
The 90s was a great time for film and fashion. Consider any of these iconic films for fashion inspiration, and create cool and amazing looks for daily wear.