Nineties fashion was casual, blue jeans and tee shirts came back into trend.
The first half of the nineties saw similar trends seen in the late eighties; tight fitting trousers, neon colors, oversized sweaters, and leather jackets.
Keds were the popular footwear of choice for the younger generation, other popular footwear included court shoes and cowboy boots.
The mid nineties saw the hippie style make a comeback. Floral dresses, lace, gypsy tops, as well as longer hair on both men and women. Designer brands also saw an increase in sales as many people choose to wear the brand names on the outside to show-off their status or knowledge within fashion.
Men’s fashion during the nineties saw trends emerge from the music scene as hip-hop and grunge took over. For the hip-hop scene clothes became baggy and oversized. Grunge fans took to wearing plaid, blue jeans and white tee shirts. The younger generation took inspiration from their favorite musicians.
During the late nineties women began wearing flared jeans, sweatpants, tank tops, and ugg boots. Casual was definitely in! The low waisted jean trend also happened around this time.
For men the late nineties saw sports brands become popular. Even office wear became more casual as many men opted to leave the blazer at home and dress down for work.
1990s Fashion Designers
Tom Ford was signed by Gucci to become their design director in 1994 and he revolutionized the designer brand. He picked up the flagging sales figures by showcasing chic collections, launching fragrances, redesigning boutiques, and focusing on promotional campaigns. For years later, in 1998, Gucci was named “European Company of the Year” by European Business Press Federation.
Prada was also a force within the fashion world during the nineties as their collection became more streamlined. They began producing ready-to-wear fashions, which were more in demand at the time.
Michael Kors knowledge of simplicity and designing for the real working woman made him a household name during the nineties. He created the minimalist trend the nineties became known for.
Calvin Klein was perhaps the most well known designer of the nineties, his collections were eagerly anticipated and his fragrance sales hit new sales levels never seen before for both men and women. He was one of the first designers to use promotional campaigns to sell a dream. Calvin Klein gained enormous popularity during the nineties within the young urban market.
2000s Fashion Trends
The decade of the 2000s saw some interesting trends emerge:
• Furry hoods, think North Face style, were popular on men and women during the colder months.
• Canvas shoes from brands such as converse and vans saw a rise in sales, as customization became a trend.
• Trench style coats in various fabrics and color options were a trend seen across the cultural board.
• During this era designers saw an opportunity within the sports world and began launching their own designer sneakers. Not only could you play sports in them but also you could look stylish doing it!
• Loungewear saw a mishap with velour tracksuits becoming popular. The most seen on celebrities were the Juicy Couture sweatpants. Some loved them and others hated them!
Casual style played a major role in both the nineties and onwards into the next decade. Many designers saw an opening and played into the market, giving the casual style a little chic appeal.
