I know I'm sounding like a broken record at this point, but it still seems like people are under the false belief that 2010s fashion is a revival of 90s fashion. The funny thing is that most of the people see these similarities are people my age who were only BORN in the 90s, and did not actually live through the decade. Now you might think I'm a hypocrite, since I was too young to have experienced the 90s myself. However based on the information I've gotten from people who've actually LIVED through the decade (such as JordanK1982), as well as pictures, T.V. shows, and movies from the decade, I can tell you that 2010s fashion is very different from real 90s fashion. Heck, if you want to see some visual proof, here's my previous thread on the topic: http://www.inthe00s.com/index.php?topic=54030.msg3455906#msg3455906

Here's a little blog on the topic, which was made by someone who lived through the decade: https://cookiesandsangria.com/2013/10/08/90s-fashion-myths-vs-realities/

It was made in 2013, but I think it's still pretty relevant today. Ironically enough she seems to like the fake Tumblr 2010s "90s-revival" fashion better than the actual 90s fashion. I completely disagree with her on that, but the main point still stands. 2010s fashion is not like 90s fashion.

So, for anyone who thinks that the 2020s will be a revival of 2000s fashion, you may end up being let down. Really, the whole "90s revival" (I prefer the term bastardization, myself) was a byproduct of the quirky "tumblr hipster" trend that has dominated this decade. Once the quirky tumblr hipster trend dies out, the bastardized decade "revivals" will probably die out too, or at least become less common.

Retro-fashion usually just borrows a few things from past eras and puts a modern spin on it. It's not really meant to be a full-fledged carbon copy.

Retro-fashion usually just borrows a few things from past eras and puts a modern spin on it. It's not really meant to be a full-fledged carbon copy.


This.  I'm glad we haven't seen a carbon copy '90s revival.  There are '90s influences though in '10s fashion.

2010's fashion isn't like 1990's fashion at all. Honestly I didn't notice much of a 90's fashion revival in the 10's. The hipster fashion may have taken some 90's influence, but just SOME influence and not the whole fashion. People say things like "The fashion is bright and colorful as if it came out of the 90s". This statement is flawed since the 1990s were not the original decade to have popular bright clothing. You can look at the 60s, 80s, or heck even the early '10s had bright colorful clothing.

The idea with fashion is that in order for it to become popular it must have some original modernized design. 1990s fashion is now too dated and won't pass into popularity in the 2010s. And most retro/revival fashion never really make accurate designs. Whenever you see a 1990s or 1980s revival you're seeing overly stereotypical version of the fashion or a watered down version of the fashion that's been mixed with other fashion ideas.

Also funny how the author in the link mentions the idea of a "Romanticized 1990s". This right here is a interesting thing to bring up since it applies to everyone. People who have crazy nostalgia for their childhood, when you see people making musical throwbacks to old genres, when you see people make fashion revivals, and when movie companies make movies that take place in an old time period. All you're seeing is a very romanticized/non-realistic version of a time period. People thinking that they can some up the 1980s just by looking an hour long compilation of old '80s shows and commercials aren't aware that what they're seeing is a highly scripted and over-the-top example of what they're seeing. Nostalgia is almost like memories that are somewhat lying to you.

I know I'm sounding like a broken record at this point, but it still seems like people are under the false belief that 2010s fashion is a revival of 90s fashion. The funny thing is that most of the people see these similarities are people my age who were only BORN in the 90s, and did not actually live through the decade. Now you might think I'm a hypocrite, since I was too young to have experienced the 90s myself. However based on the information I've gotten from people who've actually LIVED through the decade (such as JordanK1982), as well as pictures, T.V. shows, and movies from the decade, I can tell you that 2010s fashion is very different from real 90s fashion. Heck, if you want to see some visual proof, here's my previous thread on the topic: http://www.inthe00s.com/index.php?topic=54030.msg3455906#msg3455906

Here's a little blog on the topic, which was made by someone who lived through the decade: https://cookiesandsangria.com/2013/10/08/90s-fashion-myths-vs-realities/



It was made in 2013, but I think it's still pretty relevant today. Ironically enough she seems to like the fake Tumblr 2010s "90s-revival" fashion better than the actual 90s fashion. I completely disagree with her on that, but the main point still stands. 2010s fashion is not like 90s fashion.

So, for anyone who thinks that the 2020s will be a revival of 2000s fashion, you may end up being let down. Really, the whole "90s revival" (I prefer the term bastardization, myself) was a byproduct of the quirky "tumblr hipster" trend that has dominated this decade. Once the quirky tumblr hipster trend dies out, the bastardized decade "revivals" will probably die out too, or at least become less common.



have memories of every year of the 90s from 1990-1999, the fashions that came out during 2011-2016 were rehashes of 90s fashions with different cuts, select things (like Nirvana Shirts, Tommy shirts, Fila sneakers) came back, a majority of mid 2010s fashions was hipster , athleisure , does not mean the cuts and fits were the same, they were scaled down, The fade cut (think Pippen) came back around 2012, cross colors came back as well. The whole  "Vice" aesthetic  is a play on grunge. Flannel around the waist started blowing up around 2014 ish. The whole leather jacket late 80s-early 90s fad came back (just think of any artist in the early 2010s that was wearing a Leather jacket.)


Lulu lemon yoga pants, The nazi cut, The man bun are all separate from the 90's rehashes but they were added to 2010s fashion. Early - mid 2010s
fashion was a mix of things.

I feel like 2010s fashion is very geek chic now, reflecting the fact that geek culture is now "trendy", with things like them hipster glasses, and I feel like 90s/80s fashion and things have only been made popular by modern TV shows set during that period or have elements from that period like stranger things, mr robot and etc.

2010s fashion is like 2000s fashion except tighter and brighter, in a nutshell.

Well duh it's not exactly like the 90s. There's just been a lot of 90s revivals (albeit with a spin).

Retro-fashion usually just borrows a few things from past eras and puts a modern spin on it. It's not really meant to be a full-fledged carbon copy.


This. Even '90s fashion started out as a modern take on hippie fashion.

Yeah, there are elements from the 90s brought back, thats for sure. Part of the 90s fashion was for instance bringing back some 70s fashion like bell-bottoms, and those funnily weren't brought back since skinny pants are still all the rage. One thing very similar between both is the minimalism and the choice for more somber colors, after all both decades succeed a crazy, excessive and colorful decade for fashion (the mashup decade for the 2010s and... whatever the 80s were for the 90s) so the context for both decades is "going back to more simple and less bright.

Yeah, I agree! I don't know why some people believed that today's fashion is the same as the 90s especially since most of the clothing from the latter never made a comeback.

Yeah, I agree! I don't know why some people believed that today's fashion is the same as the 90s especially since most of the clothing from the latter never made a comeback.

In Hot Topic earlier today while looking for perfume, I saw a flame design shirt with shiny black pants ensemble that completely took me back to the late nineties when that stuff was common among the alternative crowd. I bet we'll see chained wallets again soon enough.  :o

90s fashion sucked imo and I'm glad people are dressing in classier clothes that fit.

90s fashion sucked imo and I'm glad people are dressing in classier clothes that fit.


The 1990s had a more campy over-the-top sort of fashion. Part of the reason why it didn't age very well. I do have a bit of a guily pleasure for the colorful neon fashion of the early 1990s and I do like the punky fashion of the late 1990s/early 2000s. But that's about it.

The colorful neon clothing of the early 2010s is said to be a call back to 1980s/early 90s fashion, but I don't see it. The only comparison is just the fact that they're colorful, but the 1980s/1990s are certainly not the first decade where colorful fashion was popular.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5162ec5be4b058e82d8b8eda/t/53221f18e4b0205226877cee/1394745112886/
https://2lth8w1uv77536l8d72pqh10-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/60s-summer-dresses-400x397.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/91/5a/a3/915aa30c4554fe17272da422b2028d1c.jpg
http://ghk.h-cdn.co/assets/16/19/clashing-colors.jpg

This is all from 60s fashion. Literally you gotta do is type in "60s fashion" and do a Google image search. Almost makes me think that the 1980s/early 1990s were somewhat inspired by the 1960s. The 1980s had a 60's nostalgia wave so it makes sense. And one could make the assumption that the early 1990s just carried over leftover trends from the late 1980s.

Almost makes me think that the 1980s/early 1990s were somewhat inspired by the 1960s.



'90s fashion started out as a modern take on hippie fashion.

The 1990s had a more campy over-the-top sort of fashion. Part of the reason why it didn't age very well. I do have a bit of a guily pleasure for the colorful neon fashion of the early 1990s and I do like the punky fashion of the late 1990s/early 2000s. But that's about it.

The colorful neon clothing of the early 2010s is said to be a call back to 1980s/early 90s fashion, but I don't see it. The only comparison is just the fact that they're colorful, but the 1980s/1990s are certainly not the first decade where colorful fashion was popular.


This is all from 60s fashion. Literally you gotta do is type in "60s fashion" and do a Google image search. Almost makes me think that the 1980s/early 1990s were somewhat inspired by the 1960s. The 1980s had a 60's nostalgia wave so it makes sense. And one could make the assumption that the early 1990s just carried over leftover trends from the late 1980s.


I remember the early 90s being campy and over the top but the mid-90s had a super homey, down to earth feel to it. To this day I remember my dad buying me clothes in 96 that were very fashionably late 80s or early 90s and the embarrassment I felt. Fashion really changed between those years.

Actually, I 'm in the camp that TRUE 90s nostalgia is just starting to really cook up.

The 1990s had a more campy over-the-top sort of fashion. Part of the reason why it didn't age very well. I do have a bit of a guily pleasure for the colorful neon fashion of the early 1990s and I do like the punky fashion of the late 1990s/early 2000s. But that's about it.

The colorful neon clothing of the early 2010s is said to be a call back to 1980s/early 90s fashion, but I don't see it. The only comparison is just the fact that they're colorful, but the 1980s/1990s are certainly not the first decade where colorful fashion was popular.

This is all from 60s fashion. Literally you gotta do is type in "60s fashion" and do a Google image search. Almost makes me think that the 1980s/early 1990s were somewhat inspired by the 1960s. The 1980s had a 60's nostalgia wave so it makes sense. And one could make the assumption that the early 1990s just carried over leftover trends from the late 1980s.


I think while the 1960s (and even 1970s) were very colourful, it wasn't full-on neon, which would probably look very provocative in the 1960s/1970s.

'90s fashion started out as a modern take on hippie fashion.


Hey it shows when comparing it. Hippie Fashion, but given a hip over the top vibe. It's literally how fashion revival today is. Getting old fashion, but with some new twist.


I remember the early 90s being campy and over the top but the mid-90s had a super homey, down to earth feel to it. To this day I remember my dad buying me clothes in 96 that were very fashionably late 80s or early 90s and the embarrassment I felt. Fashion really changed between those years.


Makes sense as the '90s was a rapid changing decade. I don't remember to early 90s very, but when I compare what I wore in my kid photos from '98 to what I was in my baby photos from '91 or what my older cousins wore in '91 or '92 I just get surprised on how much changed between the years. Same decade, but the early 1990s seemed distant from the late 1990s in terms of fashion....at least in my experience and photo albums anyways.

Here is 80s/early 90s fashion
https://cliqueypizza.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/more-neon-girls-wear-2.jpghttps://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qyvRzaIUShA/WOfftyBAvdI/AAAAAAAAVD0/D2XKO2l6gvM9xUfmHyZnOfWplG4ZlOZvgCLcB/s1600/womenprep80s.png
Those green pants hurt my eyes.

Here is more core/mid 90s fashion
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/bd/2f/0b/bd2f0b0d860383bbe46bbd5dbadb1a1c--teen-series-overalls-for-girls.jpg
https://hips.hearstapps.com/mac.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/14/49/5482b60ab4fd0_-_mcx-90-fashion-empire-records-s2.jpg

From what a lazy wiki search as shown me the bright neon fashion started sometime in '84 and ended sometime in '92/'93. Here is a quick copy>paste.
Neon colors

The early 1990s saw a continuation of late 1980s fashion, including bold, geometric print clothing in electric blue, orange, fluorescent pink, purple, turquoise and acid green, popularized by Lisa Lopes of TLC. In the US, USSR, South Africa, and Japan, typical patterns included triangles, zigzag lightning bolts, diamonds, lozenges, rectangles, overlapping freeform shapes, simulated explosions inspired by comic books or pop art, intricate grids, and clusters of thin parallel lines in contrasting colors, such as white, black and yellow on a cyan background. Many women wore denim button down Western shirts, colored jeans in medium and dark green, red, and purple colors, metallic spandex leggings, halterneck crop tops, drainpipe jeans, colored tights, bike shorts, black leather jackets with shoulder pads, baby doll dresses with bike shorts or capri leggings underneath, and skater dresses. Bright neon colored tops and leg warmers were popular, together with leopard print skirts shiny satin or rayon blouses, embroidered jeans covered in rhinestones, and black or white shirts, leggings and jackets printed with abstract red, blue, yellow and green geometric patterns. In America, popular accessories included court shoes, cowboy boots, headscarves, slouch socks, Keds, ballet flats, and penny loafers or boat shoes associated with the preppy look.



Actually, I 'm in the camp that TRUE 90s nostalgia is just starting to really cook up.


Honestly have no idea what people are going to do with 90s nostalgia. Some say it's dying while others say it's turning into late 90s/early 00s nostalgia. I honestly don't know anymore.


I think while the 1960s (and even 1970s) were very colourful, it wasn't full-on neon, which would probably look very provocative in the 1960s/1970s.


Yeah, the 60s/70s were not so much as neon just very colorful really. in terms of fashion. But as we've discussed when future decades revive old fashion they usually had some new twist. Makes me think that with the 1980s when people revived 60s fashion they added a new twist to it which made the bright colors into a more neon color. And then the 1990s got what the 1980s had did. Although I think that since the 80s pop cultural vibe had worn off by the end of the early 1990s so did the things that the 1980s had brought up like the neon clothing. So when the full on core 1990s culture took over by the mid 1990s the campy over the top vibe of the early 1990s was replaced.

Although this is all just from what I could see from images, commercials, movies etc. I need to look more into this.