8 classic '90s trends that everyone will be wearing in 2024

Those of us who are old enough to remember 90s fashion from the first time had mixed feelings about the return of some classic 90s trends. After all, it was the same decade that created style icons Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, also gave us handkerchiefs, platform trainers and lots of body glitter, and if you too spent most of the ’90s in denim skirts and plastic chokers, you may read this with trepidation. But before you panic, with TikTok bringing back all things fashion from the 1990s to Y2K, Gen Z is rediscovering the best of the 1990s, and there are a few key elements that are grabbing our attention. For every fashion faux pas, there are two trends that still look good today, and the best dressed on Instagram are already ahead of the competition.

As I browsed social media and delved into the feeds of trendsetters and decision-makers, I began to notice many trends that gained popularity almost 30 years ago and yet still look fresh. (And if you’ve purchased straight jeans, Adidas sneakers, or bandeau tops in the last 12 months, you’re among the insiders). So whether you’re looking for new trends before a seasonal refresh, or you’re just a sucker for nostalgia. Keep scrolling to see 8 classic ’90s trends that everyone will be wearing again in 2024.

1. Minimalist basics

Style Notes: First, to gently introduce you, this is a nod to the minimalism that defined the early ’90s, in the form of versatile basics. On the catwalks they showed the basic style of Calvin Klein and Helmut Lang, and on the streets we stocked up on tank tops, fitted T-shirts and maxi skirts (usually accompanied by a denim jacket). Fortunately, this refined approach never gets old, and the same key pieces will form the basis of our capsule wardrobes in 2024, especially in the same neutral color palette of white, black, gray and camel.

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2. Straight leg jeans

Style Notes: So many denim trends and styles have emerged over the past year that it’s almost impossible to keep up with them. Are we wearing loose, low-rise jeans? Are skinny jeans really back? Are barrel and horseshoe jeans the future or are they fundamentally unflattering? Instead of trying to guess the next big thing, we’re happy to stick with the classics all knows and loves – a straight leg. Not only does this work for any size and shape, but it’s unlikely you’ll look back at the photos in 20 years and wonder what you were thinking.

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3. Pedal pushers

Style Notes: With cargo pants making a comeback in 2023, it was only a matter of time before other of the most divisive pants made a comeback as well. Whether you call them capri pants or pedal pants, the three-quarter fabric is suddenly everywhere again, and when it hits the high street, you know you’ve got a commercially successful trend on your hands. Could pedals be a pants trend in 2024? There is a big possibility.

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4. Wedges

Style Notes: After all of the Chloé A/W ’24 attendees were photographed wearing the same wooden high heels in the front row, it was official: wedges are back in style, and you can expect to see a lot more of them later in the year. Unlike Jellies or the high-top Buffalo sneakers we desperately wanted in the ’90s, this footwear trend is surprisingly comfortable, and while I’ve yet to see a pedal + wedge pair from the ’90s, they’re often worn with casual jeans and wide boots. – leggings to give the look an update for the 2020s.

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5. Baguette bags

Style Notes: Ever since Carrie Bradshaw uttered the immortal words “it’s not a bag, it’s a bagueta”, Fashion experts have fallen in love with the idea of ​​a dream mini bag that fits perfectly under the arm when worn on the shoulder. XXL bags and small top-handle bags may come and go, but a bag that’s just the right size to hold your essentials is here to stay, especially if it’s branded with the logos of fashion’s most sought-after brands.

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6. Slip dresses

Style Notes: Slip dresses have stood the test of time and have established themselves as a true wardrobe staple due to their sheer versatility. While the slip dress “trend” ebbs and flows like the fashion cycle itself, there’s no trendier staple than the elevated basic, which is front and center in Bevzy, Celine and Gucci’s S/S ’24 collections. Looking for new ways to wear a simple dress? Google slip dress icons like Courtney Love, Kate Moss, and most recently Olivia Rodrigo.

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7. Mules

Style Notes: Want something more elegant than a wedge? Look no further than an adult mule. These slip-on shoes are perfect for the will-be spring and (we hope there will be) heatwave summers, and while 30 years ago we might have been tempted to style them with jeans and a matching denim jacket, we’re now copying the sporty approach Jillian for evening wear [pictured above]. It’s much cooler than the predictable LBD.

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8. Sweatpants

Style Notes: The Spice Girls, All Saints, TLC and all the biggest stars have worn sweatpants at some point, and if you get tired of wearing the same jeans in rotation, sweatpants are also easy to style. Wear them with a blazer, an oversized leather jacket or a long trench/maxi coat – heck, you can even wear them with heeled mules and tank tops if you want them to be evening appropriate too. It’s almost a crime that such comfortable pants can look so good.

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