Top 10 '90s Shows Worth Rewatching for the Fashion
#10: “My So-Called Life” (1994-95)
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This teen drama starring Claire Danes was tragically cancelled after just a single season, leaving fans with a cliffhanger ending that would never be resolved. “My So-Called Life” followed protagonist Angela Chase as she encountered many teen issues and dealt with the difficulties of adolescence. The show had a dark tone, with fashion to match, and Angela’s grungy vamp look was something we all aspired to. There was plenty of dark hued, plaid flannel and of course, Angela’s perfectly ‘90s red dye job. Her style was an inspiration to us then, and still inspires us today.
#9: “In Living Color” (1990-94)
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While many of the shows on our list are more traditional scripted comedies or dramas, “In Living Color” stands out because of its sketch show format. It also stands out for featuring many actors of color, and thus bringing in fashion looks that weren’t as mainstream among white communities. The name of the series may have been a reference to a time when color television was advertised as such, but it could also be describing the aesthetic of the styles seen on the show, which featured many colorful and contrasting prints.
#8: “Melrose Place” (1992-99)
Lots of the shows on our list feature teenagers and are set in high school, but we got to see more mature ‘90s looks on the primetime soap, “Melrose Place”. The style was more subdued on the show, to go along with the dramatic storylines, and the characters don’t exactly follow the same flashy trends that we’ll see elsewhere. The residents of 4616 Melrose dressed like regular people, but obviously they were all ridiculously good looking, so everything looked amazing on them, even if it was just a simple t-shirt and jeans.
#7: “Freaks and Geeks” (1999-2000)
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Another show that inexplicably only lasted for a single season was Paul Feig and Judd Apatow’s “Freaks and Geeks”. The title tells you all you need to know about the characters, and the fact that it definitely wasn’t focused on the preppy popular students of William McKinley High School. Obviously Lindsay’s green army jacket is iconic, but all the other characters had their own ‘80s style that was both realistic and slightly aspirational. These kids dressed like real teenagers, but in a way that was always cool and casual, and where they never seemed like they were trying too hard.
#6: “Dawson's Creek” (1998-2003)
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This series straddles the line between the late ‘90s and the early aughts, but we’re going to focus on the fashion from the earlier seasons of the show, which premiered in 1998. Dawson and his pals were just a bunch of regular teens from a fictional middle class East Coast town called Capeside, Massachusetts. Joey was the quintessential girl next door archetype, with classic ‘90s mom jeans and cropped loose fitting tops. Jen was the bad girl from New York, who had a slightly more edgy style, but also veered into tiny floral printed feminine looks. And of course, thanks to Dawson, there was an abundance of button up plaid shirts.
#5: “Saved by the Bell” (1989-93)
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There’s a big divide between early ‘90s fashion and late ‘90 fashion, and with “Saved By The Bell”, which technically began airing in the ‘80s, we got to see plenty of the former. There were flashy neon prints, acid wash denim, plenty of athletic wear and of course white tube socks. While just a few years ago, these styles may have seemed straight up wacky, all of a sudden these characters look like they could have just finished up an Urban Outfitters shopping spree. We didn’t think a lot of these looks would ever come back, but here we are!
#4: “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (1990-96)
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In West Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground is where he spent most of his days. Will Smith had arguably his most iconic role ever in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, where he played himself - kinda. The show was set in an upper class Los Angeles neighborhood, but Smith brought his street style to town. Because of this juxtaposition, “Fresh Prince” offered up style from all ends of the class spectrum, with plenty of preppy looks from his LA family included in the mix. But Will’s style was obviously the most prominent, and just like so many of the other shows on our list, nearly everything he wore is back in fashion today, including his collection of kicks.
#3: “Beverly Hills, 90210” (1990-2000)
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This show was on the air from the very beginning of the decade to the very end, so we got to see the characters change and grow alongside ‘90s fashion. When “Beverly Hills, 90210” first aired, the ‘80s influences were obvious in the high waisted pale denim and boxy silhouettes. By the end though, they had embraced darker hues and more slim fitting styles. Though these teens came from an affluent zip code, their styles were actually pretty subdued. They dressed like the kind of rich kids who weren’t trying to show off, which made their style feel more attainable to us regular kids at home.
#2: “Friends” (1994-2004)
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Just a few years ago, rewatching “Friends” meant cringing at the seemingly godawful fashion choices. Why did Rachel and Monica wear such unflattering mom jeans? What was with all the plaid? But now, putting on a rerun of this show is almost like scrolling through Instagram, because the fashion is practically the same. From crop tops to graphic tees to the unavoidable straight leg jeans, everything from “Friends” is cool again. Even leather pants have made it back into fashion! But if you try that trend on, just be careful not to end up like Ross. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “The Nanny” (1993-99) “Boy Meets World” (1993-2000) “Sweet Valley High” (1994-97) “Blossom” (1990-1995) “Twin Peaks” (1990-91)
#1: “Sex and the City” (1998-2004)
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Not only is “Sex and the City” one of the most fashionable shows to air in the ‘90s, it’s widely considered one of the most fashionable shows of all time. Carrie Bradshaw is a style icon and for good reason- not only does she prioritize clothing (and of course, shoes) but she also takes major risks, sometimes choosing outfits that are eyebrow raising at best. In a way, the styles seen on the series defined a generation of women, and made it acceptable to spend a healthy portion of one’s paycheque on expensive footwear. Sure, Carrie’s finances may not have been realistic, but this was an urban fairy tale we were able to get behind.
