While today’s generation of college kids may not have extensive memories of the 90s, we can all appreciate the movies that bring us back to the decade that inspired, or maybe even created, the trends we still see today. Whether your vibe is flirty or grunge, there’s sure to be a 90s movie that can help you update your wardrobe.
1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Photo from giphy.com
This classic film directed by Quentin Tarantino features the perfect blend of crime and comedy, but also captures some of the best trends of the time. Uma Thurman as Mia Wallace channeled classic bad girl vibes with her blunt bangs and bold red lip, but her crisp white button down fit in perfectly with the menswear trends that dominated the 90s.
2. Clueless (1995)
Photo from giphy.com
Cher Horowitz, played by Alicia Silverstone, was the ultimate 90s cool girl. Not only did we all dream of her computerized closet, but we were also extremely jealous of her creative outfits. The movie’s costume designer, Mona May, brought us the classic yellow two-piece set. This set inspired many of the matching sets we still see today, while also poking fun at a less fortunate men’s trend of the decade, excessively oversized clothing.
3. Cruel Intentions (1999)
Photo from giphy.com
As the plot of “Cruel Intentions” plays out, we can clearly see the characters and their struggle between what is considered good and bad. For main character Sebastian, played by Ryan Philippe, this means choosing between buttoned-up Annette, portrayed by Reese Witherspoon, and the tempting and dangerous Kathryn, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar. Witherspoon’s outfits perfectly embody the classic good girl with her conservative cardigans and headbands. On the other hand, Kathryn’s outfits make her into the perfect villain with her everyday lingerie type outfits, dark nails and matching lipstick.
4. The Craft (1996)
photo from giphy.com
While there were plenty of bright colors and flirty prints to go around in the 90s, the movie “The Craft” taps into the grunge trend that also made a huge impact in fashion, inspiring designers like Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs. These girls took the catholic school girl outfit and made it badass with trendy accessories we can still find today like chokers, layered necklaces and oversized leather jackets, not to mention loads of dark eyeliner.
5. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Photo from giphy.com
The good, the bad and the ugly of the 90s — this movie has it all. We have all seen the recent explosion of camo print and trendy cargo pants, but they were first made popular by Kat, played by Julia Styles. Meanwhile, her sister Bianca rocked flirty sundresses and designer backpacks that every millennial re-watching this movie dream of owning. Lastly, the men in this movie were also perfectly on trend for the time. Case in point: Cameron’s oversized flannels.
As kids who never really got to experience the 90s in all its glory, these movies were often lessons on life, love and everything we had to look forward to when we got older. The fashion moments that shaped these movies are not only nostalgic, but inspirational and lessons for years to come.
2 Comments