Basics of the 90s
Gabbie O’Toole
While each decade comes with its own styles and trends, 90s minimalism endures. In the 1990s, supermodels and other celebrities, such as Julia Roberts, Halle Berry, Kate Moss, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, and Gwenyth Paltrow, became more widely known in the 1990s for their everyday fashion choices. With the widespread emergence of TV shows that talked about styles, like Fashion Police on E!, celebrities became fashion icons. Decades later, we can still see hints of 90s minimalism on our feeds and in public spaces.
Matilda Djerf is one social media influencer who has greatly contributed to the rise of the minimalist style. Matilda Djerf is frequently spotted wearing long trench coats, fitted pants, and oversized shirts. She perfects a feminine and cool blend often seen in her signature blazer. She also creates a fresh and flowy look by combining the basic of a button-up shirt with trousers, which looks very put together. Matilda prefers to wear muted, monochromatic colors, typically brown, white, grey, and navy, with the occasional statement piece in a vibrant hue. She can also be spotted wearing pieces from her company Djerf Avenue which is a non-seasonal, ready-to-wear brand. It was born out of her love for vintage and the perfect basics. Pieces are ethically made, and the designs are timeless. Other brands with great 90s-inspired basics are Reformation, Abercrombie, Everland, and Gap, to name a few. Some brands with 90s-inspired pieces that can be found second-hand are Polo, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Juicy. Styles popular in the '90s brought in both old and new influences. Some styles often spotted in the 1990s were reminiscent of the '60s and ‘70s. Other styles, like patent leather and nylon clothes, symbolized a futuristic view and a look toward what people thought the year 2000, the new millennium, would bring. But these were the trendy styles, not necessarily the timeless pieces that prevailed in the circular cycle of fashion.
The secret to pulling off the 90s minimalist look is to maintain a straight, streamlined form. Many different items may be worn to pull off this carefree stylish look, such as slip skirts and dresses, cropped t-shirts, long-fitting skirts, and straight-legged jeans. A thin knit piece, such as a cardigan or bolero, can be worn over your attire to instantly give off the laid-back vibe of 90s fashion. A statement jacket, such as a leather blazer can also be worn for an edgier look. Accessories from the 1990s were frequently kept to a minimum and carefully picked. Popular accessories included subtle jewelry, oval sunglasses, and baguette purses, which added the ideal amount of detail to any outfit. As for footwear, sneakers, kitten heels, loafers, and heeled black boots are all reminiscent of the 1990s.
The key takeaway, I like to call it ‘stealing from your mom’s closet.’ The simplicity of 90s fashion and the minimal aesthetic may be replicated with only a few versatile basics. These basics can be mixed and matched to fit your desired look. Taking inspiration from the straight lines of the 90s and the usage of timeless basics, you can develop your everyday staples into an outfit to be proud of.
Items to achieve this look:
Tops: A button-down can easily be worn layered or on its own; the versatility is endless. High-neck tank tops are also a fun basic top that looks great with a skirt or pants with the addition of a jacket.
Skirts: Slip skirt, wool, leather. Midi skirts channel the 90s silhouette no matter the material.
Pants: Choose timeless blues for your jeans and gray, cream, or black for your pants to ensure that you can mix and match them with all of your tops. Fits such as straight leg or bootcut help to extend the lines of your outfit.
Knit jacket: Cardigans are simple yet can provide texture and warmth to any outfit, from a dress to pants and a top. Recently I have seen a rise in boleros in my feed. The company Ratboi, a small-batch sustainable company, just released a bolero set that would be a great staple piece.
Statement jacket: A fun jacket is a great way to add more dimension and pull together an outfit. A great combo is a button-down and blazer. Black, neutral, or colored leather jackets are also a great option for a nighttime look.
Shoes: Loafers are a great functional show that can elevate any out. From platform to color loafers, they can be worn with almost any article of clothing.
Dress: The little black dress is a timeless piece that can be seen on many 90s fashion icons. Bonus points if the dress has a slinky fit, such as a slip.
Accessories: An accessory often overlooked is scarves. They can be easily worn on their own or with the addition of a jacket. Scarves with fun patterns and colors are a great way to elevate any outfit.
Items like these can be found just about anywhere. Having good basics that have qualities to be the foundation of an outfit that makes you feel good is critical. Especially with the rise of fast fashion and its harm to the Earth, being conscious of the items we already own and shopping second-hand and sustainably is essential.
Images & Models, Emma Cortina Stephanie Mayer, and Gabbie O’Toole