Eclectic mix

Fashions in the 90's were so eclectic - layering your look was essential, and many looks dominated the fashion scene.

(Source: styleblazer.com) Heartthrobs of the 90's would often wear this - For both men and women, layering a solid crew-necked tee with a blazer was a key smart look; suits were extremely baggy in the 90's and there wasn't a solid silhouette; everyone was extremely relaxed in the way they looked - baggy jeans, graphic tees and plaid flannel shirts dominated, partially down to hip hop and grunge.


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Accessories were brilliant - sneakers were taking off like never before; Air Maxes and Reeboks had some of the best success, and heavy duty boots completed the hip-hop look. Snapback hats and wristbands were frequently seen on the youth of the nineties - and if you were really fantastic, it's likely you owned a mood ring, which would change colour based on your 'mood' (body temperature). Though I didn't grow up in the 90's, I still had about 4 in the 2000's, and they were brilliant.


(Source: complex.com) I love how influences from the 60's were on these psychedelic bracelets


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(Source: soletheory.com) The much-loved nike air max

The big and small screens

For film and TV, the nineties brought in huge success. TV Sitcoms such as F.R.I.E.N.D.S and Wil and Grace were renowned for their hugely successful comedy and relatable nature. The supernatural was embraced too - Sabrina The Teenage witch and Buffy the Vampire Slayer were two popular programs which were family friendly too.


(Source: wordpress) The TV Show 'Friends' was such a long-running program that you really felt connected to the characters - 'The Rachel' became a popular hairstyle amongst women and set Jennifer Aniston to be one of the most influential style icons of the decade.


(Source: lifesucksinastraplessbra.com)

Salem the cat is by far one of the funniest characters in any show, ever.

The films in the 90's were, in many critics (and my own) opinions, some of the best ever made. Disney films were churned out, and were some of the best too; being raised on The Lion King my opinion is a little biased but they really were classics. Other amazing films included the mind-blowing Matrix, the heart-tugging Schindler's List and of course, cult classics such as Titanic, Star Wars, Jurassic Park and of course, Clueless.


(Source: fanpop) A scene which people love to recreate with their cats everyday across the world.

One of the most traumatic scenes of my childhood...

...But it's okay, because Hakuna Matata!

Whilst films such as The Matrix and Star Wars opened up new worlds for us to think about, Clueless portrayed a slightly glamorized version of the 90's - trends such as the attack of the plaid and overalls with one strap hanging down


(Source: dan-dare.org) The Matrix makes you question every aspect of so-called 'reality'

One of the most iconic movie scenes ever!


(Source: mtv.com) The Dionne and Cher coordination is simply classic

The Nitro Nineties

Many of the 'Millennial' generation regard the 90's as one of the best, if not the best decade of the last 100 years. Many new innovations were propelling us into the new millennium on the advancing technology; the internet had finally taken off, and whilst many people were stuck waiting for their dial-up to start, it provided a new platform for social interaction and how information travelled round the world - things were beginning to become immediate.

The classic and slightly ear-grating dial-up sound.


(Source: cyberconicc.com) The design interface of internet windows in the 90's - technology has come a long way.

Walkmans were also popular; they provided music on the go (this was the step just before our modern-day iPods). Mobile Phones were also taking shape - though they started out with gigantic proportions, eventually they were scaled down and provided, yet again, a new way for people to communicate on the go, creating a fast-moving social world.


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(Source: katziem.blogspot.com) The mobiles of the 90's remind me a little of house phones today.

Games were moving forward too; the Nintendo 64 created an arcade experience at home, and children had a fantastic time with water guns, slap bracelets and digital pets such as the tamagotchi.


(Source: logic-sunrise.com) Many of the games in the first Nintendo consoles are still popular today such as Harvest Moon and Super Mario.


(Source: wordpress) By far one of the best toys ever invented.

Fashion Fads

The 80's gave birth to many new fashion crazes which people were enthusiastically following - many of these could be worn all at once in a fun look. These included:

-Leg warmers (popular in clubs)
-Dancewear inspired attire, such as leotards
-Statement accessories such as ray-bans, swatches and headbands
- Crucifix necklaces and jelly shoes (Madonna's influence was strong)
- Miniskirts and skin-tight jeans
- 'Members Only' jackets (branded leather jackets with epaulets)


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(Source: perfumesclub.co.uk) Michael Jackson was one of the many celebrities who took the Ray Ban Wayfarer to the forefront of fashion

Hairstyles were a very big part of the 80's - as a form of self expression and individuality. Perms dominated the female trends, and for men, mullets evolved into a more refined look with the use of hair products.


(Source: totalbeauty.com) Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey helped to popularise the perm haircut


(Source: wordpress) Billy Ray Cyrus probably doesn't want his mullet back today

Princess Di

By far the most high-profile style icon of the 80's was Princess Diana. Her wedding to Prince Charles was televised and watched by 750 Million - her dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emmanuel and was the perfect balance between one of the most iconic wedding dresses in the world, but something which reflected Diana's personality. It was hugely secret and only revealed on the big day - a select few knew about the dress, and they were sworn to secrecy. It had a 25- Foot long train and I think it's so show-stopping and beautifully crafted.


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Diana herself was a style icon - she had a unique sense of fashion, and put new stylish twists on the conservative garments her advisers told her to wear; examples include a backless gown, her padded shoulders and when she war a choker the queen gave to her as a gift - on her head. She had so many quirks and seemed extremely down to earth - she truly was the 'People's Princess'.

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(Source: myblackcherry.com) I love how quirky her style was, and that she was brave enough to channel it into her outfits given the strict rules the Royal Family imposes.

The Blitz Kids

The Club craze was going strong in America and Europe - Britain in particular was home to many famous clubs - one of them being Taboo, owned by the influential and brilliant Leigh Bowery. Bowery was a performer through and through - he would live every day as if it was a performance, wearing his creations (he was a self-proclaimed fashion designer, but only designed for himself as he didn't want anyone else to be copies of the 'Bowery look').

(Source: bbook.com) I adore the attention to detail he put into his art - the stars under his eyes are so precise and completely finish the look, and the shimmering eyebrows are so painstakingly applied.


(Source: willyegang.tumblr) His influence remains quite strong - McQueen channelled his look into the makeup for his show 'The Horn of Plenty' and Lady Gaga who was very strongly influenced by this era often references some of his most famous looks.


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Taboo was a hub for many new young designers, artists and musicians, such as David Holah and Stevie Stewart of Bodymap, and Boy George. The people who gathered in this place were nicknamed the 'Blitz Kids', as they were frequently featured in the youth-run magazine Blitz. For the Blitz Kids, every day was a show, and they'd frequently make costumes to wear out; fashion was fun, and they were spending their lives in an almost surrealist way.


(Source: fashionsmostwanted.blogspot) David Holah and Stevie Stewart of Bodymap - they created some of the most defining looks of the decade and helped to put Britain back on the fashion map. They reinvented the way we look at clothes and their androgynous shapes still remain strong today.




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(Source: fashionfox.com) The Blitz Kids/bodymap family in Blitz magazine

Music TV

In August of 1981 MTV was launched - this had a catapult effect on the way we listen to records and stars had huge success by creating accompanying works of art. A new breed of Pop artists had arrived, and acts such as Madonna, Duran Duran and Michael Jackson received huge success due to their iconic videos which matched their equally iconic music.


(Source: popeighties.com) the original MTV logo

Madonna was a huge deal in the 80's - she was one of, if not the most successful female musicians of that decade, and her career has lasted right up until modern day now. She stormed the music scene with the ever iconic 'Holiday', and it became a popular hit for clubs and on the radio. She became a hugely influential style icon - she worked closely with Jean Paul Gaultier which resulted in her most shocking and infamous look - the conical bra corset. She had a very eclectic sense of style which transferred to many of the fashion trends in the 80's.

The famous 'Like A Virgin' video.


(Source: fashioneditoratlarge.com) Jean Paul Gaultier's conical creation for Madonna - it's a look which is as well known as her name.

(Source: fanpop.com) Someone has kindly broken down the key elements of her 80's accessories

Another icon, perhaps the most iconic of all time, was Michael Jackson. Referred to the King of Pop, he took his performances to new heights with beautifully artistic and theatrical music videos; the most famous of them all being 'Thriller'

The full-length 14 minute spectacle that is Thriller.


(Source: mjworld.net) His style was influential and was copied all round the world


(Source: popeighties.com) Though I grew up in the 2000's, this band was one of the soundtracks to my childhood- Duran Duran were part of the British music invasion of the USA and had many themed albums which sold extremely well. They were considered part of the New Romantic scene along with those such as Spandeau Ballet.

Their video for the hit single 'Girls On Film' had to be censored due to the explicit images of women. There was a 'Day version', which was censored, and a 'night version', which was uncensored.