If the past few months are anything to go by, we’ve officially reached peak ’90s style obsession. From slip dresses to white tank tops and minimalist accessories, the decade’s signature looks have re-entered fashion’s imagination with full force.
“Not unlike the personality-packed power of vintage clothing itself, there’s something about returning to the source, as it were, that can help us avoid assimilating the style of others – something that is all too easy to do when scrolling through Instagram’s fashion feeds,” wrote Vogue’s Joy Montgomery. Indeed, ’90s style offers something calmer, more intentional, an antidote to the relentless trend cycle.
And while for many this phone-free era is a perennial reference point, with its clean lines and sleek, minimalist approach, there’s been a renewed obsession with how women actually dressed on the streets of London, New York and Paris during the decade. These weren’t just curated moments captured on iPhone, but everyday looks styled out for real life.
Obvious icons spring to mind, of course. There’s the immortal off-duty style of Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, who defined London’s fashion circuit with their undone approach – think baby tees, straight-leg jeans and barely-there heels. Across the pond, candid paparazzi shots of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy have sparked what Vogue is calling “CBK spring”, in other words, a “less-is-more” approach to dressing: bias-cut midi skirts, crisp white shirts, great tailored outerwear and simple but effective accessories.
Always grounded in wearable staples, taking cues from ’90s style icons feels especially suited to spring dressing – where light layering is key. Looking for a little old-school inspiration to refresh your spring wardrobe? Below, seven ’90s-inspired outfits we’ve pinned to our spring fashion mood board.
White capris + car coat
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