Top 20 Trends of the 1990s
#20: Bowl Cuts
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If you were a kid in the 90s, you might have memories of your parents saving money on haircuts by simply putting a bowl over your head and snipping around it. Of course, the “bowl cut” is a hairstyle that long predates the 90s, with figures like Moe from “The Three Stooges” donning this particular do. Heck, even The Beatles had their own “mushroom cut” versions! But, many 90s heartthrobs famously sported this look also - looking at you Leonardo DiCaprio. Unfortunately, the “bowl cut” made many look less like Jack Dawson and more like Lloyd Christmas!
#19: The Macarena
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Going to a wedding reception in the 90s? The question wasn’t if “The Macarena” would be played, but when. This song, by Latin pop group Los del Rio, took the world by storm in the 1990s. This was particularly due to its simple, yet fun, choreography. A remix by the Bayside Boys even topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 straight weeks. The tune got so big that the 1996 Democratic National Convention even had political figures doing the famous dance. While the song’s popularity understandably declined in later decades, any dancefloor with “The Macarena” playing is definitely one we want to be on.
#18: Tickle Me Elmo
In the 90s, “Tickle Me Elmo” dolls were all the rage. Unfortunately, we mean that literally. This shaking and giggling doll, based on the beloved “Sesame Street” character, was such a hot commodity that violence broke out among many shoppers desperate to get their hands on one. Some sought it out so they could resell it at a huge mark-up. One million “Tickle Me Elmo” dolls were sold in 1996 alone. One can hope that they made millions of 90s kids very happy. At least, that’s how Elmo would have wanted it.
#17: Raunchy Comedies
Some of the most beloved comedies in the 90s were not only high-grossing, but, well, just plain gross. Movies like “There’s Something About Mary,” “American Pie,” and the “Austin Powers” films pushed the boundaries of good taste farther and farther. Many of the infamous raunchy moments led to word-of-mouth “buzz,” making the movies in question must watch flicks. While we can’t describe these scenes in detail, just know that they succeeded in making us laugh, while subsequently making us gag. Let’s just say it took us a while to look at an apple pie the same way again.
#16: Cartoons
Television cartoons have obviously been around since the advent of the telecommunications medium, but the 90s gave us something truly special when it came to animated programming. Shows like “Doug,” “Rugrats,” “The Ren & Stimpy Show,” and “Ed, Edd n Eddy” are just a few examples of exemplary cartoon shows from the decade. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Disney’s afternoon offerings, such as “DuckTales” and “Goof Troop.”And, let’s not forget that “The Simpsons” was arguably at its best in the 90s and that “Spongebob Squarepants” began just as the decade was ending. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have some rewatching to do.
#15: Overalls
Overalls were originally designed for laborers, such as farmers, to keep their clothes clean while working. But, in the 1990s, they could be seen on fashionistas as well as farmers. In fact, all you needed to hit the town were a pair of overalls, some sunglasses, and cute shoes. And if celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and *NSYNC were wearing them, who were we to say no? Should the straps be undone, though? You know it! Overalls are one 90s fashion trend we stand by, even if we seldom needed to actually protect our clothes from anything. Now, what other clothing crazes can we take from farmers?
#14: Waif Looks
The motto “Bigger is better” might have reigned supreme in the 80s, but in the 90s, things were getting smaller: namely supermodel waistlines. While we were used to models being svelte, the 90s took it to a whole new level. Models like Kate Moss garnered just as much attention for their physiques as they did for their bold fashion sense. This trend also sparked worry about how young women might feel when comparing their bodies to those of supermodels. It might’ve looked good on the runway, but it sure wasn’t a healthy look to emulate.
#13: Pogs
Before NFTs, we were collecting a different kind of colorful token. Of course, these were typically found in the schoolyard, not the computer. Pogs were cardboard discs inspired by the game “milk caps,” which was prevalent in Hawaii. The 90s saw Pogs become popular not just for gameplay reasons, but as collectibles. Kids would play one another in hopes of winning the pot and taking home some new Pogs. If that sounds a little like gambling to you, you’re not alone. Many schools banned Pogs for encouraging gambling as well as the general distraction they caused. They weren’t wrong.
#12: Virtual Pets
If your parents wouldn’t buy you a puppy in the 90’s, it was no problem at all. The 1990s pet of choice was one that didn’t shed on the couch or have an accident on the carpet. Virtual pets like Tamagotchi and GigaPets were a must-have toy for kids of all ages. Their “needy” features meant we got a lot more attached to them than we did our other toys. It also meant we were woken up at odd hours of the night to “take care” of them. And if we didn’t? Well, these 8-bit animals would go up to virtual pet heaven. Yikes
#11: Hip-Hop Fashion
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Hip-hop took off in a big way in the 90s, and it wasn’t just the songs. People were also dressing to look like their favorite rappers, such as Kid 'N Play, Salt-N-Pepa, and “The Fresh Prince” himself, Will Smith. This meant bright colors, oversized shirts, and plenty of denim. The rise of “gangsta rap” soon led to styles that weren’t quite as flamboyant. This included iconic looks like 2Pac’s bandana. Plus, who can forget all the amazing jewelry? Watching music videos on MTV helped introduce young viewers to artists they wouldn’t have otherwise known about. Yep, 90s rappers certainly made a bold statement with their lyrics and their fashion choices.
#10: Boy Bands
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Male vocal groups had existed in the past, but the 90s ushered in a new era with the rise of the boy band. Groups like Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC captured hearts around the world with their magazine-cover good looks, elaborate choreography, and songs that ranged from party anthems to soulful ballads. It wasn’t just the boys making waves, either. Girl groups like the Spice Girls hit it big in the 90s too. Ok, so a lot of these groups were cheesy and their styles are definitely “of their time,” but we were always excited to hear “I Want It That Way” on the radio. Heck, we still are.
#9: Rave Culture
In the 90s, warehouses weren’t just for working. Dance parties known as “raves” made their way from Europe to North America. In large open venues, DJs played rhythmic electronic music out of subwoofers so loudly that you couldn’t tell the bass beat from your heartbeat. You could also count on seeing plenty of wild colorful outfits, not to mention a plethora of glowsticks. These parties could go on for 24 hours and often caught the wrath of law enforcement for being unlicensed and containing illegal activity. The party had to end eventually, but it was fun while it lasted.
#8: Coffee Culture
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Learning that “tall” apparently meant “small” was just one way coffee culture dominated our lives in the 90s. We also had to learn the difference between a cappuccino and an espresso. Yep, we all thought we were hot stuff with our hot specialty drinks! Plus, the Starbucks boom meant that there were drinks we could have with friends that wouldn’t result in potential hangovers. The decade also ushered in an influx of hip independent coffee shops. Although, we have to admit that they were not as fun as 90s sitcoms made them out to be - Central Perk anyone?
#7: Teen Television
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We’ll never forget hanging out with all our amazing friends in the 90s. Let’s see, there was Dawson Leery, Joey Potter, Donna Martin, Dylan McKay, and…okay, those weren’t our real friends. But, we certainly grew close to the characters featured on teen-oriented shows like “Dawson’s Creek” and “Beverly Hills, 90210.” TV in the 90s captured the teenage brain like few eras have, with fantastical shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” also finding room for human emotions. The actors on these shows might’ve looked a lot older than us (because they were) but we would’ve done anything to hang out with them!
#6: “The Rachel”
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“Friends” may have aired once a week, but we were constantly reminded of its existence. Case in point: the popularity of “The Rachel,” a layered shoulder-length cut worn by Jennifer Aniston on the show towards the end of the first season. The 90s saw an estimated 11 million women get this cut! Although "The Rachel" was popular for its beauty and versatility, there was one person who wasn't particularly fond of it: Jennifer Aniston. The Emmy winner found maintaining it to be a major hassle. Fortunately for Aniston, she got to wear other hairstyles on the show. As for "Friends," we think it ended up doing ok.
#5: Beanie Babies
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How do you turn something as common as a stuffed animal into the hottest new trend? Answer: fill it with tiny pellets and give it a birthday. Beanie Babies were one of those 90s sensations you could only understand if you were around at the time. If you wanted one, you had to act fast, because some designs didn’t last long. Of course, you might find the sold-out Beanie Baby you wanted on eBay - for thousands of dollars, that is. Many saw them less as toys and more as an investment opportunity. While undoubtedly cute, Beanie Beanies eventually saw their bubble burst. We all knew one thing, though: you should never cut off the tag!
#4: Extreme Sports
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“Rebellion” and “athletics” don’t always go hand-in-hand. The 90s, however, had no problem combining the two into one thrilling category: extreme sports. The popularity of adrenaline-pumping sports like skateboarding, snowboarding, and BMX biking suddenly made baseball and football look a lot less cool. This was also a new era of athletic heroes, like skateboarder Tony Hawk and surfer Kelly Slater. But, while they made it look easy, success in these sports requires hours upon hours of practice. We might have dreamed of making it to the X Games, but we were just as happy goofing around at the skate park with our friends.
#3: WWF
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Another kind of intense athletic showcase that dominated the 90s was pro wrestling, specifically the action found in the World Wrestling Federation, or WWF. Now known as the WWE, this organization ushered in a new generation of superstars whose physiques were matched only by their charisma. The federation’s Attitude Era, with iconic figures like Kane, “The Rock,” Chyna, and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, made it feel like anything could happen. And, by turning the tide on a bitter war with rival group WCW, the WWF ended the decade as the premiere place for hard hitting entertainment!
#2: High-Tech Communications
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They may seem antiquated in this age of smartphones and wireless internet, but in the 90s, technology the likes of beepers felt revolutionary. The idea of getting in touch with someone while out and about was incredible. A clunky cell phone was definitely preferable to waiting for a turn at the payphone. While the internet is arguably bigger than it's ever been, the 90s was the first time many got on the World Wide Web. The wonders of chat rooms and other online spaces fill us with a special kind of nostalgia. Technology is always improving of course, but the 90s saw it reach an exciting new peak.
#1: Grunge
The 80s were a decade of flash and excess, especially with regard to music and fashion. So, it’s only fitting that the 90s went in the opposite direction. Grunge was a trend defined by not being trendy, at least in theory. Denizens of this subculture, which took root in the Pacific Northwest, wore clothes off the thrift store rack, not the runway. Put on a flannel shirt and go a few days without shaving, and you were the coolest person on your block. And, of course, there wouldn’t be grunge without bands like Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, and Nirvana. Their angsty lyrics and searing riffs were the stuff of legend. We’re not wearing nearly as much flannel these days, but we’ll always have a soft spot for grunge!
