From the Runway to the High Street – 90s Revival

Ladies, forget your sophisticated, sleek styles! Forget your elegant heels, your tailored blazers! Leave behind your shirts, your jeans!

The runways have told us that the 90s are back and they’re better than ever!

First off, I have to say it feels a bit odd to be working a trend from a decade I’ve lived through; I’m used to the boho chic of the 70s or the power-dressing of the 80s but the mad, sports luxe style of the 90s is new to me in the revival sense. I have to admit, it’s making me feel a little old.

My mum always refuses to don any 70s or 80s clothes when they’re in style, telling me over her mug of coffee “When you’ve lived through the decade, you don’t want to dress like it again. Once is more than enough.”

Au contraire, mother! Personally (aside from the aging aspect) I’m loving the return of the 90s! Check out my guide to the 90s revival to see how to work the trend without looking like you haven’t changed your clothes since you were six…

First up, one of my greatest memories of 90s fashion was the platform trainers.

Remember when everyone owned a pair because the Spice Girls said they were cool? Well they’re back and you’ll be happy to know that they’ve had a chic makeover meaning their less clumpy and more couture. There are two ways to work the trend; you can either go for the new fangled style ‘flatforms’ or you can go for the sporty yet sophisticated wedge trainers.

Check out this pair by Ash (the name in sports chic). The great thing about wedge trainers is the comfort; you get the benefit of the heel height with the comfort of trainers and the style of a pair of court heels. But if you’re not up for investing £149.99 in the style…

Then this boohoo.com pair may be for you! With this pair, you have all the style and comfort for less than a third of a price: £40! Also, I’m loving the metallic trim on the boohoo.com pair. But of the metallic edging isn’t your thing, then boohoo.com also stock plain coloured pairs in nude, grey and black for just £29.99!

Another memory I have of the 90s was all of the printed tees and vests.

Kitsch patterns and bright symbols on the front of simple t-shirts and vests are brilliantly 90s and you can work that fashion now by either teaming your top with a pair of light-wash skinnies or, if you’re feeling brave, you can work you vest with some statement leggings.

I love this Mochino Cheap & Chic vest with a simple apple print on the front. It’s great for working the kitsch 90s trend but it could easily be styled up with a leather jacket and some fierce ankle boots. But if £285 is a little too much for your purse to handle, then this cheaper kitsch vest may be for you:

Another gem from boohoo.com! I think I love this vest even more than I love the Moschino one! It’s just so 90s; the vibrant colours, the symbols, the plain white background. And at just £8 you can get one in white and one in grey!

So if you’re feeling the 90s trend and you want to work it with pride, match your vest with a pair of patterned leggings.

I’m pretty sure that everyone had a pair of patterned leggings in the 90s and they’re back now! If you’re looking for an upmarket version, these colourful Lucas Hugh lovelies may be for you. But, to be honest, I’m not likely to spend £260 on a pair of leggings…

So this River Island pair are much more up my street. I love the bright floral pattern that would just look so great with wedge trainers and a kitsch vest and at £18, I’d be much more likely to buy them and wear them without being afraid to break them!

And, lastly, a neon bag would really make the look!

Thankfully, you can now enjoy the new, chic version where the neon is restricted to the piping making the bag much more wearable and versatile. This Marc by Marc Jacobs tote ticks all the boxes other than frugal price at a pricey £175.