I'd say more '80s, although I think the last few months of 1991 are very '90s.  Still 1991 strikes as being in the "Eighties world", even if some of the pop culture was quite Nineties.  Of course 1989 and 1990 do too.

The True '90s began in the Summer of 1991

1990 is a watered down 1989

The True '90s began in the Summer of 1991

1990 is a watered down 1989


I agree with that. I'd say the '80s ended around June 1, 1991, since early 1991 was naturally tied to late 1990, which is quite Eighties.  1990 is like a cheap imitation of 1989, just like 2005 was like a crappier 2004.

Still though, I think the "world" of the Eighties lasted until 1993, when the Nineties dot-com era began to start.  With 2001 it's the opposite; 2001 is in the '00s world, but is pop culturally rather 1990s.

I agree with that. I'd say the '80s ended around June 1, 1991, since early 1991 was naturally tied to late 1990, which is quite Eighties.  1990 is like a cheap imitation of 1989, just like 2005 was like a crappier 2004.


You kidding me?  2005 blows 2004 out of the Water.  2004, in my opinion, has been easily the Worst and Most Boring year of the '00s so far

You kidding me?  2005 blows 2004 out of the Water.  2004, in my opinion, has been easily the Worst and Most Boring year of the '00s so far


I'd give 2003 that honor.  But early 2004 sucked.

Still though, I think the "world" of the Eighties lasted until 1993, when the Nineties dot-com era began to start.  With 2001 it's the opposite; 2001 is in the '00s world, but is pop culturally rather 1990s.


No Way.  1992 was far too '90s, so was Late 1991 with the start of the Grunge movement

I'd give 2003 that honor.  But early 2004 sucked.


lol, That's funny because I find 2003 to be the Best year of '00s so far

Different Strokes for Different Folks  ;D

The True '90s began in the Summer of 1991

1990 is a watered down 1989


Yeah, I agree. There were some neo-'90s things about the '80s from 1987 on, though (the growing disillusionment with yuppies and materialism, the technoloy, the alt rock/college rock music and hip-hop being popular, the dance music.) Really, 1986-mid 1991 was two different periods leading up to the '90s...late 1986 to early 1989 was one, mid 1989 to mid 1991 was another.

I agree about the '00s technologically starting in '99 in some ways, or '01, though pop culturally the '00s didn't even quite get off the ground until '03, honestly. Meanwhile, the '80s world lasted into 1992 or so. I think 2003-2004 was sort of interesting in that the emo/indie/glam rap/preppie culture was still new. Donnie didn't mean pop culturally, he meant in tech and economy and such.

No Way.  1992 was far too '90s, so was Late 1991 with the start of the Grunge movement


Well pop culturally of course, but in a historical sense, when people talk about "The Eighties" they're generally talking about 1981-1992.  The Dot-Com Era, which is the historical equivalent of "Nineties" is 1993-the very beginning of 2001.  However I see decades in a purely cultural aspect, so I'd say the '90s began around June 1, 1991 and ended on September 11, 2001.

The technology of 1992 is the last gasp of Cold War era technology.  Also, you couldn't cuss on TV, etc., and political correctness wasn't totally in place yet until 1993ish. And beginning in 1993 the Internet boom slowly started.  But pop culturally, the second half of 1991 and 1992 are very, very '90s.

Well pop culturally of course, but in a historical sense, when people talk about "The Eighties" they're generally talking about 1981-1992.  The Dot-Com Era, which is the historical equivalent of "Nineties" is 1993-the very beginning of 2001.  However I see decades in a purely cultural aspect, so I'd say the '90s began around June 1, 1991 and ended on September 11, 2001.


Not Really, they are talking more of 1980-1989, like it's supposed to be

I think you are trying to hard to make the '90s more "recent".  1991 and 1992 are Pure '90s.  That era between 1991-1996 were the peak of the '90s. Trust me on this one

Well pop culturally of course, but in a historical sense, when people talk about "The Eighties" they're generally talking about 1981-1992.  The Dot-Com Era, which is the historical equivalent of "Nineties" is 1993-the very beginning of 2001.  However I see decades in a purely cultural aspect, so I'd say the '90s began around June 1, 1991 and ended on September 11, 2001.


I think the core "'90s" was late 1991-mid 2001, though late 2001-mid 2003 and late 1986-mid 1991 were '90s influenced. The core of the '90s was like 1992-1997.

I know it's cheap, but I'm gonna bust out my theory on epochs, which holds that 1990-first half of 1991 (and possibly late 1989) are part of a separate "Pre-90's" Epoch.  This is because, while it may seem 80's in retrospect, there were things that, during this time, were seen as "bringing on the 90's."  1990 looks similar to the 80's on the surface but compare 1986 to 1990 and there is quite a difference in between, not the least of which was the amount of Rap music and cheesy Dance music that surfaced between these years.  Stuff such as MC Hammer, for example, were viewed at the time as being totally 90's.  It's laughable now, but the fact is that was what people thought at the time. 

1990 is also, quite possibly, the cheesiest year ever.  I mean, a lot of people think the 80's are cheesy but 1984 wasn't nearly as cheesy as 1990.  1990 was just awful.  One need only look at the music and clothes to realize this (the early 90's had some ugly clothes).

You kidding me?  2005 blows 2004 out of the Water.  2004, in my opinion, has been easily the Worst and Most Boring year of the '00s so far


Lol, I thought I was the only one. Other than the build up to the election, it felt like a really bland year. My least favorite of the 2000's so far. And like you, 2003 is the most interesting year for me, so far.

I know it's cheap, but I'm gonna bust out my theory on epochs, which holds that 1990-first half of 1991 (and possibly late 1989) are part of a separate "Pre-90's" Epoch.  This is because, while it may seem 80's in retrospect, there were things that, during this time, were seen as "bringing on the 90's."  1990 looks similar to the 80's on the surface but compare 1986 to 1990 and there is quite a difference in between, not the least of which was the amount of Rap music and cheesy Dance music that surfaced between these years.  Stuff such as MC Hammer, for example, were viewed at the time as being totally 90's.  It's laughable now, but the fact is that was what people thought at the time. 

1990 is also, quite possibly, the cheesiest year ever.  I mean, a lot of people think the 80's are cheesy but 1984 wasn't nearly as cheesy as 1990.  1990 was just awful.  One need only look at the music and clothes to realize this (the early 90's had some ugly clothes).


Yeah, I agree with your epoch theory. I think the transition from '80s-'90s went as such:

Late 1986-Mid 1989: The end of new wave, and the period of colossal popularity for heavy metal and fairly bland soul-pop and cheesy ballads/adult contemporary. Also, the period that saw the rise in popularity of college rock/alt rock and rap, if not their mainstream explosion. TV also started changing from the better, the economy declined somewhat from its mid-'80s peak, African power and "urban" ideology made its re-entry onto the mainstream, and home video games/VCRs/CD players, the beginnings of '90s technology, came out. The wholesale '60s revival gains heat. Still quite '80s though, with bigger hair than ever before.
Late 1989-Mid 1991: The rise of cheesy dance music and freestyle, along with rap. The pre-'90s and the peak of the suburban "Pizza Hut" days. VCRs and CDs really get in check into integration into the home, and computers start to be ubiquitous. TV turns around into serious sitcoms reminiscent of the '70s. Alt rock continues to rise and the recession, the crack epidemic, "darkness", and crime peak. Styles start to change towards '90s.
Late 1991-Mid 1994: The early '90s, that of classic '90s sleaze and Nickelodeon, the rise of African power and the start of golden age rap's transition into gangsta rap, the peak of grunge and mainstream alt rock, classic Disney, reggae's repopularization, etc. The first total '90s.

One nickname I like to give to the Pre-90's Epoch is the Saved By the Bell era, if only for the fact that the show shows off pretty much every embarrassing thing from the time period, from the neon clothes to the gigantic cell phones.  Definitely hasn't aged as well as, say, Beverly Hills 90210.  Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is another classic example, if only for the weird mismatched clothes rappers wore back then.  Since they're tv shows, they're naturally exaggerrated (tv shows and movies tend to have more "fashionable" clothes that many ordinary people don't wear) but they're still fairly accurate examples.

1991 is '90s, 1989 and 1990 are more '80s.

One nickname I like to give to the Pre-90's Epoch is the Saved By the Bell era, if only for the fact that the show shows off pretty much every embarrassing thing from the time period, from the neon clothes to the gigantic cell phones.  Definitely hasn't aged as well as, say, Beverly Hills 90210.  Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is another classic example, if only for the weird mismatched clothes rappers wore back then.  Since they're tv shows, they're naturally exaggerrated (tv shows and movies tend to have more "fashionable" clothes that many ordinary people don't wear) but they're still fairly accurate examples.


Yeah, I agree that Saved by the Bell defines the period, with the nutty clothing and hairstyles. The same way, if you're going to go by TV shows, the mid-'00s (the "peak" '00s) is defined by The O.C./Desperate Housewives, and when I think of the late '90s I think of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The mid-'90s for teens was the Beverly Hills 90210 period.

1991 is '90s, 1989 and 1990 are more '80s.


Exactly  8)

As I said in the other thread, I think the 80s really ended as a cohesive period in mid-1991 the latest, but their influence could still be felt as late as 1994. I often think a movie was released in the 80s when it fact it was released in the early-mid 90s.

As I said in the other thread, I think the 80s really ended as a cohesive period in mid-1991 the latest, but their influence could still be felt as late as 1994. I often think a movie was released in the 80s when it fact it was released in the early-mid 90s.


I can usually tell the difference between an early '90s movie and a mid-'80s or even 1988-1989ish movie, for some reason. I think part of it is just that things then had a slightly different "look", way more modern and darker (movies in the early '90s were pretty dark), and much less screamingly '80s. Like you won't see big, teased-up hair and the clothes look pretty different.

I can usually tell the difference between an early '90s movie and a mid-'80s or even 1988-1989ish movie, for some reason. I think part of it is just that things then had a slightly different "look", way more modern and darker (movies in the early '90s were pretty dark), and much less screamingly '80s. Like you won't see big, teased-up hair and the clothes look pretty different.


Big hair was part of the early 90s. Just think of the movie 'Pretty Woman', and was very much in the mainstream until the mid to late 90s. There was very little between late 80s and early 90s clothing and fashion, even grunge fashion was an update on 'hair metal' styles.

Big hair was part of the early 90s. Just think of the movie 'Pretty Woman', and was very much in the mainstream until the mid to late 90s. There was very little between late 80s and early 90s clothing and fashion, even grunge fashion was an update on 'hair metal' styles.


Big hair is actually still a big style regionally in my section of the U.S. I would say the main difference between late '80s and early '90s fashion is that for adults (think Seinfeld), the clothes were darker and more subdued with less color and more layers, and fashion overall was more hip-hop/basketball influenced.

Big hair is actually still a big style regionally in my section of the U.S. I would say the main difference between late '80s and early '90s fashion is that for adults (think Seinfeld), the clothes were darker and more subdued with less color and more layers, and fashion overall was more hip-hop/basketball influenced.


I can definitely relate to the whole hip-hop/basketball influence, as I was a basketball-fanatic back in the early 90s. I would not go out of the house with my sweaty, grime-ridden old Orlando Magic basketball cap (worn backwards or sidewards, of course). I also clearly recall her hip-hop music like M.C. Hammer's 'Don't Touch This', Vanilla Ice, Kriss Kross, Dr. Dre.

I can definitely relate to the whole hip-hop/basketball influence, as I was a basketball-fanatic back in the early 90s. I would not go out of the house with my sweaty, grime-ridden old Orlando Magic basketball cap (worn backwards or sidewards, of course). I also clearly recall her hip-hop music like M.C. Hammer's 'Don't Touch This', Vanilla Ice, Kriss Kross, Dr. Dre.


Yeah, also in the early '90s, business-people and adults looked alot more subdued, darker, and '90s than '80s. Again, see an early episode of Seinfeld...all the layers, leather/spandex, and small patterns are '90s things.

Yeah, also in the early '90s, business-people and adults looked alot more subdued, darker, and '90s than '80s. Again, see an early episode of Seinfeld...all the layers, leather/spandex, and small patterns are '90s things.


The women's fashion was a bit...old fashioned looking. I mean look at what Elaine was wearing... :D

The women's fashion was a bit...old fashioned looking. I mean look at what Elaine was wearing... :D


People in the '80s would have thought alot of early '90s things were weird and dowdy, much like people think of them today.

I agree with that. I'd say the '80s ended around June 1, 1991, since early 1991 was naturally tied to late 1990, which is quite Eighties.  1990 is like a cheap imitation of 1989, just like 2005 was like a crappier 2004.


I would say more like how 2006 is a cheap imitation of 2005. 2004 is more equivalent to 1988, with the elections, and how they were both known as "feel good", optimistic years. 2005 reminded me more of 1989, with the style of music, movies, and TV shows that came out, while 2006 so far reminds me of 1990 with really good action movies, but crappy music (especially with K-Fed being the Vanilla Ice of 2006). If a recession starts this year, then it would really be like '90.

I agree with the poster who said true 90's began in the summer of 91, that's when grunge started to creep into the mainstream.

however, 89-91 was just not 80's to me, reagan was gone, the 80's pop culture was not on its last legs....but completely dead and buried. It was closer to the 90's to me.

I definitely think 1990 and 1991 belong with the 80s. The sound was still very similar and I think 1992 changed British charts when dance music was pushed into the mainstream and given a more different feel.

However, I could imagine Nirvana changing the music scene in the US around 1991. However, I'm not too sure Nirvana changed the face of music over here in the UK (though it has it's following).

The True '90s began in the Summer of 1991

1990 is a watered down 1989



I totally agree. I think the "true" 90's began in roughly Sept. 1991.

I definitely think 1990 and 1991 belong with the 80s. The sound was still very similar and I think 1992 changed British charts when dance music was pushed into the mainstream and given a more different feel.

However, I could imagine Nirvana changing the music scene in the US around 1991. However, I'm not too sure Nirvana changed the face of music over here in the UK (though it has it's following).


The '90s is where Britain really diverged from the US, they were farely close until the late '80s started and hair metal, alt rock, rap, and cheesy dance became more popular here.