There are moments in the parenting journey no one writes about in the books. There is no proper preparation for these emotional gut punches. Just the other day, my 16-year-old daughter was scanning my closet for something to wear. She pulled out a well-loved sweatshirt I bought when we lived in New York City almost 20 years ago. She squealed with delight, “This is so great! It’s VINTAGE!”
She was standing there in bell-bottom jeans and a band t-shirt and it hit me: It’s all come back.
Take a stroll around Target and it’s obvious, everything I wore growing up is now back in style. While I pray the big bangs and bad perms never resurface, I’m not mad seeing some of my favorite 90s fashion trends resurface.
In fact, here are some items I’ve proudly put back in my closet.
Fanny Packs (now called Crossbody Bags)
They may call them crossbody bags but let’s be honest…they are glorified fanny packs! When it comes to my suburban mom starter kit…my crossbody has been a go-to. It’s small and lightweight. When I’m running around to school pickup and soccer practice, having everything I need right in front of me is clutch. I know our moms used to wear them on trips to the big city so her wallet doesn’t get pickpocketed…but I guess they are back in a big way. There are some great options in dozens of colors available on Amazon!
Vegan Leather (formerly known as Pleather)
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be wearing Pleather in my 40s. It seems fancier to call it Vegan leather, doesn’t it? Though I’ll never pour myself into tight, black, faux leather pants there are some really cute options out there. I have a Vegan leather top, a skirt, and, of course, a jacket. They make all sorts of fun faux leather items now, including these joggers from Evereve.
Vintage Band Tees
When I go to pick up my kids from school the amount of Nirvana, Def Leppard, and Led Zeppelin t-shirts I see is astonishing. I have to stop myself from going up to these kids and asking if they can name one song from the band on their chest. But hey, I’m not mad. I love music from “back in my day” so I’ll gladly wear them on a shirt. This Queen tee even covers another trend from the past… tie-dye. Don’t even get me started on that.
Bell Bottoms (also known as Flare jeans)
I think the kids are calling these flare jeans but we all know they are bell bottoms. This is one trend I am not mad about because everyone knows a little flare makes you look taller and I need all the help I can get. Plus, these ones from Evereve have a raw hem that gives them an updated look.
Shackets (our 90s flannels got a rebrand too!)
As we enter Spring I will gladly wear my shacket loud and proud. Did you know that flannel used to be looked down upon? Now I swear by a shacket to get me through these stubborn fluctuating temperatures. This khaki one seems perfect for outdoor sports and trips to the farmer’s market. I still vote we think of a better name.
What other 90s fashion trends have recently come back? How do we feel about the “Coastal Grandmother” look? I personally don’t mind if my fashion starts looking like Diane Keaton in a rom-com.
Note: Some of the items in this blog include Amazon Affiliate which earns a small commission.
