How 90's Fashion Crept Into The 2000's
Jalen Hendrix
Jalen Hendrix
The nineties is one of the most influential decades ever. From movies to music to TV, everyone has a sort of connection to the 90’s. Because of the public’s fascination with the iconic era people have made petitions for reboots and remakes, but the biggest resurgence of all has got to be the fashion. Especially in the last three years, we have old things being made new again. Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Guess, three of the top brands of this era, have all re-started 20 and 25 year-old campaigns in hopes of grabbing the attention of new customers. But why? Why go back to the past instead of start fresh? Why are these trends all of a sudden popular again?
We have the culture to blame for that. Millennials are filled with nostalgia for a time that they have either barely experienced or a time they want to relive. People even raid thrift shops and Goodwill hoping to either get a famous Tommy Hilfiger color-blocked windbreaker, or a Guess Jeans flagship tee shirt. I think people are so infatuated with the 90’s because of how cool it was. It was a time when people were original with their clothes, they created trends and never copied them. Fashion back then was simple but vibrant, easy but at the same time smooth.
The 90’s was also a celebratory era. Television was at its peak and music was organic and confidently written with thought. All seemed right with the world. In our decade, the trend of fast fashion has commanded plenty of teens and millennials fall under the spell of designer knockoffs for cheap prices (and it is working quite well). Stores like H&M, Zara, Forever 21, etc., have all remade something from a designer brand and made it their own. The only things these knockoffs are missing is the logo. Although a some of the clothes are not knockoffs, they are still missing the high-quality fabrics and stitching of name brands.
Lately though, logos seem to be making a comeback and are a hit with teens. Streetwear brands like Supreme, Bape, and Off-White have been all the rage among young adults (at least the ones who can afford them). But is it worth it to buy these overpriced clothes? “No”, says Briana Marks. “Unless the clothes were actually made in the 90’s or have been customized in a certain way it's really no use.” She also states, “I look at innovators like Aaliyah and Tupac when I dress…I always think of Aaliyah when I see someone wearing Tommy (Hilfiger).”
Right now streetwear is huge even in suburban areas, which is kind of unusual, because people do not normally associate the streets with suburban culture. Sophomore Hamza Saeedia, states, “People in the suburbs have access to the exclusive streetwear and they may see their favorite artists or celebrity wearing it, and they try to make it their own”. In other words, they can afford the sweatshirts with $80-$200 price tags. Bridgette Renae, junior, says ,“ I think people are wearing all this streetwear because they’re just trying to fit in. Thrasher’s different to me because it’s a skateboard magazine and that’s technically suburban but all this other stuff is just for show.” Maybe she is right: most people are just trying to ride the wave. I think that is the perfect way to put it.
We have the culture to blame for that. Millennials are filled with nostalgia for a time that they have either barely experienced or a time they want to relive. People even raid thrift shops and Goodwill hoping to either get a famous Tommy Hilfiger color-blocked windbreaker, or a Guess Jeans flagship tee shirt. I think people are so infatuated with the 90’s because of how cool it was. It was a time when people were original with their clothes, they created trends and never copied them. Fashion back then was simple but vibrant, easy but at the same time smooth.
The 90’s was also a celebratory era. Television was at its peak and music was organic and confidently written with thought. All seemed right with the world. In our decade, the trend of fast fashion has commanded plenty of teens and millennials fall under the spell of designer knockoffs for cheap prices (and it is working quite well). Stores like H&M, Zara, Forever 21, etc., have all remade something from a designer brand and made it their own. The only things these knockoffs are missing is the logo. Although a some of the clothes are not knockoffs, they are still missing the high-quality fabrics and stitching of name brands.
Lately though, logos seem to be making a comeback and are a hit with teens. Streetwear brands like Supreme, Bape, and Off-White have been all the rage among young adults (at least the ones who can afford them). But is it worth it to buy these overpriced clothes? “No”, says Briana Marks. “Unless the clothes were actually made in the 90’s or have been customized in a certain way it's really no use.” She also states, “I look at innovators like Aaliyah and Tupac when I dress…I always think of Aaliyah when I see someone wearing Tommy (Hilfiger).”
Right now streetwear is huge even in suburban areas, which is kind of unusual, because people do not normally associate the streets with suburban culture. Sophomore Hamza Saeedia, states, “People in the suburbs have access to the exclusive streetwear and they may see their favorite artists or celebrity wearing it, and they try to make it their own”. In other words, they can afford the sweatshirts with $80-$200 price tags. Bridgette Renae, junior, says ,“ I think people are wearing all this streetwear because they’re just trying to fit in. Thrasher’s different to me because it’s a skateboard magazine and that’s technically suburban but all this other stuff is just for show.” Maybe she is right: most people are just trying to ride the wave. I think that is the perfect way to put it.