Fashion
1990's fashion was full of color and patterns. Rainbow everything was used to symbolize peace and equality. There were colorful high top sneakers, hyper-color t-shirts, colored sunglasses, and lots of tie-dye. The '90s definitely weren't as grunge as the '80s, but people wore oversized flannels, combat boots, ripped/acid-washed jeans, chokers, and clothing with holes in them. Denim was also in style, with wide-legged/bellbottom jeans and overalls sweeping the nation. Overalls were usually worn with one shoulder off to make a statement. There were also trends with plaid schoolgirl skirts, cropped fuzzy sweaters, vests, baja hoodies, mini backpacks, platform flip-flops, slap bracelets, and dressing bohemian. Head accessories included printed/colorful headbands, backwards hats, and butterfly clips. Many people shopped at Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Nike, Reebok, and Roxy to follow all the trends from Chloe Sevigny, Spike Jonze, Sofia Coppola, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears. Boys got bowl haircuts which they parted down the center, while girls had headfuls of tiny buns. Some defining fashion trends were Gucci/Tom Ford, grunge-style clothing, and "The Rachel" haircut.
1990's fashion was full of color and patterns. Rainbow everything was used to symbolize peace and equality. There were colorful high top sneakers, hyper-color t-shirts, colored sunglasses, and lots of tie-dye. The '90s definitely weren't as grunge as the '80s, but people wore oversized flannels, combat boots, ripped/acid-washed jeans, chokers, and clothing with holes in them. Denim was also in style, with wide-legged/bellbottom jeans and overalls sweeping the nation. Overalls were usually worn with one shoulder off to make a statement. There were also trends with plaid schoolgirl skirts, cropped fuzzy sweaters, vests, baja hoodies, mini backpacks, platform flip-flops, slap bracelets, and dressing bohemian. Head accessories included printed/colorful headbands, backwards hats, and butterfly clips. Many people shopped at Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Nike, Reebok, and Roxy to follow all the trends from Chloe Sevigny, Spike Jonze, Sofia Coppola, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears. Boys got bowl haircuts which they parted down the center, while girls had headfuls of tiny buns. Some defining fashion trends were Gucci/Tom Ford, grunge-style clothing, and "The Rachel" haircut.
Gucci / Tom Ford
In the early 1990s, Gucci was about to go bankrupt as it reached "the poorest time in company history". Its tweeds with red and green trim just weren't cutting it anymore. However, Tom Ford was hired in 1990 as a designer and was promoted to Creative Director in 1994. He changed the formal elegance of Gucci's Italian leather and fashion into edgy designs that were respected by many celebrities. While at Gucci, Tom Ford brought in velvet low-rise pants, metallic boots, and tight satin shirts. To sell their products, Tom Ford also created new eye-catching ad campaigns. By 1999, Gucci was valued at around $4.3 billion, and when Tom Ford left in 2004, it was about $10 billion. If it weren't for Tom Ford's iconic '90s transformation of Gucci, their name most likely would've disappeared from the designer world.
In the early 1990s, Gucci was about to go bankrupt as it reached "the poorest time in company history". Its tweeds with red and green trim just weren't cutting it anymore. However, Tom Ford was hired in 1990 as a designer and was promoted to Creative Director in 1994. He changed the formal elegance of Gucci's Italian leather and fashion into edgy designs that were respected by many celebrities. While at Gucci, Tom Ford brought in velvet low-rise pants, metallic boots, and tight satin shirts. To sell their products, Tom Ford also created new eye-catching ad campaigns. By 1999, Gucci was valued at around $4.3 billion, and when Tom Ford left in 2004, it was about $10 billion. If it weren't for Tom Ford's iconic '90s transformation of Gucci, their name most likely would've disappeared from the designer world.
Grunge-Style Clothing
'90s fashion has been making a comeback recently, and one of the most popular styles that has been reappearing is grunge. Many people wear this style today to be "hipster" when attending music festivals. However, during the '90s it was just a normal style. People dressed grunge by wearing cheap, slouchy clothing. Flannels were more toned down than they were in the '70s, so people wore them loosely with an undershirt and ripped pants. Many rock bands took on grunge looks, and Kurt Cobain(pictured left), lead singer of Nirvana, was a style icon for those trying the grunge look. The main hair style that went with grunge outfits for men was shoulder-length hair, usually greasy. People can dress "grungy" today by picking up pieces of clothing at thrift stores.
'90s fashion has been making a comeback recently, and one of the most popular styles that has been reappearing is grunge. Many people wear this style today to be "hipster" when attending music festivals. However, during the '90s it was just a normal style. People dressed grunge by wearing cheap, slouchy clothing. Flannels were more toned down than they were in the '70s, so people wore them loosely with an undershirt and ripped pants. Many rock bands took on grunge looks, and Kurt Cobain(pictured left), lead singer of Nirvana, was a style icon for those trying the grunge look. The main hair style that went with grunge outfits for men was shoulder-length hair, usually greasy. People can dress "grungy" today by picking up pieces of clothing at thrift stores.
"The Rachel" Haircut
Since becoming a celebrity, Jennifer Aniston had become a trendsetter at everything she did. Before the filming of the hit television show Friends, she wanted a unique haircut to represent her character, Rachel. Her hairstylist gave her a look that became the most popular trend Jennifer Aniston had ever started. Women across the nation were asking their hairstylists for that look. It featured three layers of hair, with the top layer cut the shortest and the bottom layer cut the longest. Many admired the hairstyle, but recently in an interview with Allure magazine, Jennifer Aniston admitted her true feelings towards the look. "Have there been disasters? I think that's a very relative term with hair. Let's say there have been moments I'd rather not relive, like that whole Rachel thing. I love Chris(her hairstylist), and he's the bane of my existence at the same time because he started that Rachel thing, which was not my best look. How do I say this? I think it was the ugliest haircut I've ever seen." Jennifer hopes the haircut stayed in the '90s, but many people who had gotten it were offended by her comments.
Since becoming a celebrity, Jennifer Aniston had become a trendsetter at everything she did. Before the filming of the hit television show Friends, she wanted a unique haircut to represent her character, Rachel. Her hairstylist gave her a look that became the most popular trend Jennifer Aniston had ever started. Women across the nation were asking their hairstylists for that look. It featured three layers of hair, with the top layer cut the shortest and the bottom layer cut the longest. Many admired the hairstyle, but recently in an interview with Allure magazine, Jennifer Aniston admitted her true feelings towards the look. "Have there been disasters? I think that's a very relative term with hair. Let's say there have been moments I'd rather not relive, like that whole Rachel thing. I love Chris(her hairstylist), and he's the bane of my existence at the same time because he started that Rachel thing, which was not my best look. How do I say this? I think it was the ugliest haircut I've ever seen." Jennifer hopes the haircut stayed in the '90s, but many people who had gotten it were offended by her comments.
Kid Pastimes
Kids of the 1990s, often referred to as " '90s kids " enjoyed all the new fads. While adults and teenagers enjoyed realistic television shows, they appreciated cartoons such as Goofy, Garfield, Looney Tunes, Johnny Bravo, and Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo. Kids were in awe with Pixar's Toy Story, the first computer animated movie they had ever seen. Barbie thrived with a new "pregnant Barbie" who could carry a baby in her stomach, while Pokémon became popular as a video game and trading card game. There were only 150 Pokémon in the 1990s! Super Mario World and Mario Kart were also very popular video games on devices like the Gameboy. However, the Gameboy didn't have a color screen, so the images weren't visible in sunlight. This forced the kids to expand to other outdoor hobbies, such as roller-blading and jump-roping. Many kids kept marble collections to play, but they cared immensely about Tamagotchis, little digital pets that would die if not taken care of accordingly. They also walked around with Walkmans and Discmans to listen to their favorite CDs. Kids weren't as carefree as teenagers, but they looked forward to the day that they would be.
Kids of the 1990s, often referred to as " '90s kids " enjoyed all the new fads. While adults and teenagers enjoyed realistic television shows, they appreciated cartoons such as Goofy, Garfield, Looney Tunes, Johnny Bravo, and Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo. Kids were in awe with Pixar's Toy Story, the first computer animated movie they had ever seen. Barbie thrived with a new "pregnant Barbie" who could carry a baby in her stomach, while Pokémon became popular as a video game and trading card game. There were only 150 Pokémon in the 1990s! Super Mario World and Mario Kart were also very popular video games on devices like the Gameboy. However, the Gameboy didn't have a color screen, so the images weren't visible in sunlight. This forced the kids to expand to other outdoor hobbies, such as roller-blading and jump-roping. Many kids kept marble collections to play, but they cared immensely about Tamagotchis, little digital pets that would die if not taken care of accordingly. They also walked around with Walkmans and Discmans to listen to their favorite CDs. Kids weren't as carefree as teenagers, but they looked forward to the day that they would be.
Teen Pastimes
Teenagers of the 1990s were carefree. As they grew up, tons of new technology was appearing. High schoolers dreamt about creating the next big device. Teenagers were laid back about mostly everything, but no one spoke up for gay rights to intolerance. It was popular to get involved at school through clubs and athletics. Very few teenagers had cell phones, and those that did were very wealthy. Due to this, teenagers were constantly getting together to talk or have parties. Their free spirited rebelliousness is something that parents hated, but many admired.
Teenagers of the 1990s were carefree. As they grew up, tons of new technology was appearing. High schoolers dreamt about creating the next big device. Teenagers were laid back about mostly everything, but no one spoke up for gay rights to intolerance. It was popular to get involved at school through clubs and athletics. Very few teenagers had cell phones, and those that did were very wealthy. Due to this, teenagers were constantly getting together to talk or have parties. Their free spirited rebelliousness is something that parents hated, but many admired.
Adult Pastimes
While younger people were able to live a carefree life, adults had to worry about the dreadful rumors of the Year 2000 Problem. Of course they were able to enjoy the same fads as the kids and teenagers, but worry was on their minds. The Year 2000 Problem was brought up through computer programs that only stored years with two decimal digits(1990 would be stored as 90). However, some programs tried to store 2000 as 19100, which caused system failures. Due to this, many thought all technology was going to break down. The government even got involved by passing the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act in 1998. Other than that, most adults spent their time working during the day and doing something fun at night, like going dancing or to a movie. Many adults also enjoyed watching their favorite sports teams on television, with the golden age of the Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan, and many other events. In general, the '90s were an enjoyable period for all ages.
While younger people were able to live a carefree life, adults had to worry about the dreadful rumors of the Year 2000 Problem. Of course they were able to enjoy the same fads as the kids and teenagers, but worry was on their minds. The Year 2000 Problem was brought up through computer programs that only stored years with two decimal digits(1990 would be stored as 90). However, some programs tried to store 2000 as 19100, which caused system failures. Due to this, many thought all technology was going to break down. The government even got involved by passing the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act in 1998. Other than that, most adults spent their time working during the day and doing something fun at night, like going dancing or to a movie. Many adults also enjoyed watching their favorite sports teams on television, with the golden age of the Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan, and many other events. In general, the '90s were an enjoyable period for all ages.
'90s Slang and Translations
"Let's Dip" - Let's Leave
" 'Sup " - What's Up
"Aiight" - Alright; Okay
"As If!" - Yeah Right!
"Atari" - Bad DJ
"Back In The Day" - When I was…
"Bama" - Redneck
"Beans" - Dollars
"Bling-Bling" - Nice Jewelry
"Blood" - Friend
"The Bomb" - Excellent
"Bones" - Dollars
"Bounce" - Leave
"Brutal" - Bad
"Bugg'n" - Freaking Out
"Bunk" - Crazy
"Buzz Hype" - Awesome
"Buzz Kill" - Boring
"Cha-Ching!" - Costly
"Cheddar" - Money
"Chica" - Girl
"Chill Out" - Calm Down
"Crib" - House
"Dank" - Awesome
"Dawg" - Friend
"Dead Presidents" - Money
"Dope" - Cool
"Duh!" - Didn't you know that?
"FYI" - For Your Information
"Fly" - Cool
"Gank" - Steal
"Ghetto" - Unflattering
"Ice" - Jewelry with Diamonds
"Jack" - Steal
"OMG" - Oh My God
"Oogly" - Ugly
"Peace Out" - Bye
"Piggy" - Cop
"Po Po" - Police
"Psyche" - Just Kidding
"Salty" - Angry
"TMI" - Too Much Information
"Talk to the Hand" - I Don't Want to Hear It
"Word" - I Agree
"Yo" - Hello
"Let's Dip" - Let's Leave
" 'Sup " - What's Up
"Aiight" - Alright; Okay
"As If!" - Yeah Right!
"Atari" - Bad DJ
"Back In The Day" - When I was…
"Bama" - Redneck
"Beans" - Dollars
"Bling-Bling" - Nice Jewelry
"Blood" - Friend
"The Bomb" - Excellent
"Bones" - Dollars
"Bounce" - Leave
"Brutal" - Bad
"Bugg'n" - Freaking Out
"Bunk" - Crazy
"Buzz Hype" - Awesome
"Buzz Kill" - Boring
"Cha-Ching!" - Costly
"Cheddar" - Money
"Chica" - Girl
"Chill Out" - Calm Down
"Crib" - House
"Dank" - Awesome
"Dawg" - Friend
"Dead Presidents" - Money
"Dope" - Cool
"Duh!" - Didn't you know that?
"FYI" - For Your Information
"Fly" - Cool
"Gank" - Steal
"Ghetto" - Unflattering
"Ice" - Jewelry with Diamonds
"Jack" - Steal
"OMG" - Oh My God
"Oogly" - Ugly
"Peace Out" - Bye
"Piggy" - Cop
"Po Po" - Police
"Psyche" - Just Kidding
"Salty" - Angry
"TMI" - Too Much Information
"Talk to the Hand" - I Don't Want to Hear It
"Word" - I Agree
"Yo" - Hello