What to Wear to a 90s Party

Remember the days of the old walkman, the era of grunge and supermodels walking on the ramp in bold outfits? Yes, we’re talking about the 90s.

To some of us, the 90s may seem like yesterday, as the world connected over different mediums, television became a thing, radio found its maximum fanbase, and the internet was just an idea in its nascent stage. To others, however, the 90s is the long-gone vintage era of baggy jeans and bomber jackets.

Regardless of how you view the 90s, if you’re invited to a 90s-themed party, you need to embrace those good old days. It’s the perfect way to embrace retro vibes and get nostalgic.

So if your wardrobe isn’t attuned to suit for a 90s-themed party, don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Check out this outfit inspiration list of dapper outfits that totally give that 90s vibe.

Style Guide to a 90s-Themed Party

Leather Jackets

Leather jackets are so 90s that we all have an image of bikers and rockers donning iconic pieces during the era. But leather jackets are also timeless. They can not look good. The best thing about leather jackets is that you don’t really need to match them with specific attires. You can easily customize it with a graphic tee and jeans, complete with boots or otherwise, for amping up your street style.

Denim

Denims were all the rage back in those days. It was the perfect fashion symbol for being badass and a sure way of getting those heads to turn your way at a 90s-themed party. Blue denim jackets have always been the class, but no one told you you couldn’t wear black ones to distinguish yourself from the crowd. You can also go chic with a denim jacket with patches styled with a T-shirt and jeans.

Graphic Tees

Popularized by music bands across the western world, graphic Tees were the ultimate symbol for crude yet impressive personality statements. These graphic Tees are available for both men and women and can be tucked in or out, depending on how you want them to be. You can still find a surfeit of graphic printed tees of famous 90s bands like Nirvana, Metallica, Radiohead, and more, along with their creative album covers that instantly ring a bell with the 90s generations.

Straight Fit Jeans

It’s no exaggeration to claim that straight-fit jeans dominated the global fashion market for almost a decade until they were replaced by the slim-fit jeans that are in the trends today. But the 90s were a glorious era for jeans as well; you have the straight fit, which was soon replaced by the bootcut fit. The latter was quickly out of the league with the intro of baggy, oversized jeans during the last few years of the decade. Looks like you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to donning jeans.

Leather Pants

From the swashbuckling artists KISS to the hard-hitting metal giants Metallica, leather pants were all the rage in an era that was defined by jingoism and ‘on your face’ street styles. Nonetheless, we love leather pants when paired with the right outfit and accessories. The first thing that comes to mind is definitely the combo of leather pants and leather jackets over a sleeveless tee (as worn by countless stage artists and Hollywood stars back in the 90s), but there are more options at your disposal here.

You can wear leather pants over a button-down shirt or denim shirt, or take it a notch higher with a long blazer or coat with a T-shirt inside. The plus side of leather pants is that you get to wear ankle boots, which are surely going to complement almost any outfit accompanied by leather pants.

Turtleneck Sweaters

From the legendary musician Elvis to swagger king Mick Jagger to Princess Diana herself, the 90s turtleneck sweaters were all the rage among iconic celebrities around the globe. The turtleneck sweater caused a fashion revolution, as it gave you the option to don it with almost anything. Be it a blazer jacket, leather jacket, or even those Havana-style printed shirts, these turtleneck sweaters have really been made timeless, thanks to scores of celebrities who reverberated their fashion sense in these outfits.

Cargo Pants

Rarely do we see the combination of a unique fashion sense along with the perks of high utility. But those loose-fitting, six-pocket cargo pants offered the best of both worlds. Not only did they almost replace jeans at one point in time with their casual style statement, but they were also great for carrying all your walkman, wallet, and other belongings at once. Cargo pants also offered versatility as they could be paired with tees, shirts, jackets, you name it.

Collared Mini Dress

This one’s for the eves of the party. A collared mini dress will be a welcome change in this era where people tend to overdo their outfits. You can wear a headband with knee-length stockings or boots for the complete 90s schoolgirl look.

Cardigans

Cardigans have been the most sustainable attire that popped up during the 90s and have still managed to be in the market three decades since. These cardigans come in various lengths and look great when styled with a turtleneck and jeans. Put on those cardigans when you’re in doubt, and you’re set for the party.

Flannel Shirts

Nothing quite screams out the 90s as flannel shirts do. When they first came in, they gave a fresh alternative to the classic button-up shirts with their catchy square-printed monochromatic designs. Soon, they were available in a variety of colors. The funny thing is that they’re still found today across the globe and are an incredible choice to wear to a 90s-themed party.

Let the Party Begin

People say that the 90s were when the world opened up to each other with revolutions of industrialization, followed by globalization. The decade marked a distinct shift from the 70s and 80s when people started to embrace more comfortable and vibrant clothing. From colors to style options, the 90s indeed marked a shift in the fashion industry, and the roots behind some modern trends can be found in that transitional decade.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your favorite attire from this list to spruce up the 90s-themed party with a dash of nostalgia.