7 Cool-Girl Ways to Wear '90s Nostalgia

The 1990s were the golden era of style and beauty trends. It’s no wonder a handful of them come back every year like clockwork, like the oversized blazer boom in 2018 or the cycling shorts craze in 2020. But contrary to fashion norms, you don’t have to wait for the stuff of yesteryears to be en vogue again just to wear them. From brown lips, to tracksuits, to face crystals, and so much more, here’s how you can wear ’90s nostalgia like an It girl no matter what season you’re in.

Face gems and crystals were popularized by the likes of Gwen Stefani and Bjork. In the 2020s, the cool girls get their inspiration from Hunter Schafer in Euphoria. Whoever’s on your Pinterest board, ornamenting your face depends on the occasion.

For a casual night out with the girls, keep it minimalist with two to three crystals in the inner corner of your eyes. If your goal is to let your kikay flag fly, especially during a concert or event, go crazy with the scatter, but get them in chic shapes or colors, such as clear, silver, or champagne. Balance out your look with soft glam makeup that can feature dewy skin, neutral eyeshadow, and glossy lips.

Chunky vibrant streaks were all the rage back in the day, thanks to punk-pop stars, like Christina Aguilera and Avril Lavigne. These days, you can get them in thin highlights that frame your face. Colors like red or ash blonde complement Asians with naturally black or brown hair, as they stand out in contrast but aren’t too out there. A way to rock more vibrant shades is by keeping them under your top layers, so they peek out with a little movement.

Brown lipstick defined the supermodel look in that era. To wear this trend today, match them to your skin color, because a mocha lip that’s too close to your complexion might just wash you out. Here’s the rule of thumb: if you have dark skin, go for lighter-colored lippies and vice versa. Finally, opt for a fresh makeup look to avoid looking one-dimensional.

Make this nostalgic lipstick moment even better with a great smile. Try the closeup Multivitamins+, a toothpaste formulated with multivitamins to address various oral care problems like bad breath, plaque, and sensitive gums. With regular use, you can flash your pearly whites with confidence every day.

When talking about 90s nostalgia, thin brows were one of the most divisive trends. You either loved them or you hated them. For the skinny brow believers of the 2020s, the first step is to get yours trimmed and shaped at the salon by a professional. Stretch out the tail later on with a fine-tipped eyebrow pencil before cleaning and sharpening that snatched arch with a brow concealer.

You can’t talk about ‘90s nostalgia in fashion without the satin slip dress. It’s the secret of easy-going girls who like that undone but still sophisticated vibe. The simplicity of this one-piece look is why fashionistas love it so much, but if you want to add a bit more interest to your ensemble, try it with an oversized cardigan and stack on accessories.

When wearing a slip dress on its own, make sure your skin is ready to go bare with the Dove Pink Beauty Bar. Made with ¼ moisturizing cream, it leaves you with a soft and glowing complexion with regular use, which will have you feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin.

How did the ‘90s kids dress? For one, they loved co-ords. The likes of Missy Elliot were pros at making sportswear, like tracksuits, fit for the streets. That said, you don’t need the whole set. Skip the Sue Sylvester look and play around with just the bottom half instead. While tracksuit bottoms are inherently casual, you can dress them up with loose-fitted button-downs and heeled boots for a more edgy finish.

Reels of TikTok creators fluffing out their jeans to make them extra baggy are all over the internet. Another thing they have in common? They always pair their wide pants with small shirts. You’ll want to look cool, not drowned out, so balance your look with tiny, body-hugging cropped tees or skin-baring tops, like a corset. It’s a cool and easy way to modernize your ’90s nostalgia clothes and look totally japorms.

Tank tops with spaghetti straps work too. If you’re not sure about having your underarms out, boost your confidence with Rexona Vitamin + Bright Berry Glow Roll-on. Formulated with niacinamide and vitamin C to help improve the look of dark marks, it keeps you feeling fresh for up to 72 hours. Plus, it features a raspberry, peony, and vanilla scent inspired by world-class perfume.

Wearing your ’90s nostalgia in the modern era leaves a lot of room for creativity. Whether you’re glamming up a tracksuit or studding up your face for a casual hangout, what matters is you’re expressing yourself freely. Remember to wear the trends, don’t let them wear you.