HOW TO BUILD A 90s WARDROBE

What do the Spice Girls, Friends and Liz Hurley’s safety pin dress have in common? They were all born in the 90s – and spawned plenty of famous trends. The iconic decade has quickly climbed the ranks to become one of our most beloved eras – and while rose-tinted glasses might warp our memory of some details, the fashion endures. In fact, we’re still flirting with the denim, boots and slip dresses of the pre-millennium in 2026. But all the 90s style discourse can get overwhelming. If you want to add a few vintage favourites to your roster but don’t know where to start, we’ve broken down the must-have 90s clothes and how to style them. So hit play on that Backstreet Boys album and start scrolling.

What were the most popular outfits for women in the 90s? Let’s start with the era’s most emblematic trend. Camis, sequins, LBDs – you name it. The slip dress held court prior to the 00s, and we’re still finding ways to reinvent it. Back then, Calvin Klein and Versace topped the leaderboard with simple silhouettes and quality fabrics. Everyone from Kate Moss to Naomi Campbell wore one, and for such an understated piece, the slip dress made plenty of noise. Little has changed when it comes to styling these bad boys, largely thanks to their minimal design. But this year’s love affair with monochrome has us reaching for black and white.

 

GET THE LOOK: 

Topshop cupro lace trim midi slip dress in black, £55
ASOS DESIGN scoop satin slip maxi dress in chocolate, £38
ASOS DESIGN cami slip dress in grey check, £40
Topshop satin asymmetric lace trim midi slip dress in black, £48

It’s never long before another pre-millennium shoe steps back on the scene. Whether it’s jelly shoes, pointed leather boots or court heels – everyone was walking the walk in the 90s. 2026 has decided that more is more when it comes to former footwear trends. We’re seeing every old favourite re-emerge on runways and roundups, which makes for exciting style opportunities. Mary-Janes, mules and ballet flats are still dominating after 12 months of ruling our wardrobes. And more classic staples like the stiletto are firmly back on the menu thanks to vintage styling at Elisabetta Franchi and Saint Laurent.

 

GET THE LOOK: 

ASOS DESIGN Peso platform Mary Jane high heel shoes in burgundy patent, £30
SEQWL Iris Wide fit tie detail ruched ballet flats in soft red PU, £16
Topshop Noah point toe boot in black, £40
Simmi London Alez heeled stiletto pumps in leopard print, £35

The 90s taught us that playing with fashion should always be fun. Alongside the sleek slip dress, sharp tailoring was also defining the runways of the era. Tom Ford’s Gucci had us all in a chokehold, and thanks to stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Roberts, we all learnt the feminine could take many forms. Suddenly our chic gowns were being swapped for crisp shirts and cinched blazers. Heels were rotated with loafers – and as women earned more status in the workplace, power dressing was born. These days our penchant for a good suit remains, but we’re reaching for bolder shapes and tones like tomato red and cerulean. And if you’re a minimalist at heart? 90s tailoring delivers thanks to the everlasting impact of a simple black blazer, white T-shirt and jeans.

 

GET THE LOOK: 

ASOS DESIGN sharp shoulder blazer in black, £65
ASOS DESIGN tailored occasion tux flare trousers co-ord in black, £35
ARRANGE cinched waist blazer dress in red, £150
ASOS DESIGN moulded cinch blazer in charcoal, £65

If you take one thing from this article, let it be this: when it comes to 90s outfits, denim is always a winner. A pair of jeans has the power to change your whole look. It’s just about finding the right fit – and when it comes to flattering denim, the 90s looks hold the answers. This decade was all about tall straight-leg jeans, which is good news for pretty much everyone since they flatter any figure. They also work with a variety of pieces – whether you dress them down with a simple sweatshirt (and spice them back up with heels), or layer under blazers and wool coats to switch up your commuter wardrobe. Turn up the cuffs to really push the boat out – bonus points if you pair with a court shoe. Mwah! The 90s fashion gods have no notes.

 

GET THE LOOK: 
Good American good 90s relaxed coated jeans in vintage wash, £196
Bershka wide leg 90s jeans in grey, £27.99
Levi's 501 original straight jeans in black wash, £100
Topshop Hourglass Kort high rise straight jean in washed black, £46