Well, let’s get this straight. No one would ever look in the past for anything…except if it was something really good! Quite recently, we have witnessed the same thing with fashion. Guess what, a brand would start stitching something of the medieval era, and it would suddenly become a trend. But that’s a story for another day.
The recent surge in clothing trends we have been noticeably observing is the 90’s fashion for men. And we kid you not; it’s worth it! From relatively flamboyant to mild minimalistic, there’s a lot that era has to offer regarding fashion. In fact, many trends that we simply attribute to modern-day designing are basically the recycling of those “old school looks.”
Since your presence here clearly indicates your interest in fashion, why not jump straight into it?
What did men wear in the 90s?
One word to describe the 90’s men dressing? It would be “slick.” Now we know, slick and stylish really does not seem to go hand in hand, especially when getting past the elaborate trends that dominated the early and late 80s.
However, the shift to minimalism was quite well-received among men and women, and it quickly became popular. It would also be not wrong to say that it laid the foundations for modern styling; it was the birthplace of contemporary men’s fashion.
To talk about it in more specific terms, the 90s fashion trend was different from the 80s. With the arrival of grunge or alternative rock music, the flashiness was replaced by simplicity.
Men and women moved towards more casual clothing, with everyday outfits including hoodies, jeans, T-shirts, and simple sneakers. The trend even continued throughout the 2000s and even influenced most modern-day men’s wear, let alone completely rocking the look.
To say more, there was also a glimpse of ’50s and 60’s styles, with its minimalist aspects quite prominent in occasional outfits, especially the suits. Fast forward to now, the 90s fashion trend is reviving again and is successfully grabbing the attention of gents and ladies.
To ensure you aren’t late to the party, we have compiled some fabulous trends from the particular era and divided them into different categories. Just rock the one you think suits your personality the best.
So let’s jump in!
90s Fashion Outfits
1. Overalls with Strap Down
Ok, this might seem a bit outdated, but when you have got the confidence, pulling off anything doesn’t seem like a huge deal. That being said, overalls with straps down were a fashion for every icon of the 90s, including everyone’s favorite, Will Smith. Although not something you would love to wear in front of your GF, nothing’s better than it for a casual, rough boy look. The exciting thing is, it’s still even popular among ladies.
Top Picks
LONGBIDA Men’s Denim Slim Fit Jumpsuit with Pockets
MXVPY Men’s Denim Slim Fit Jumpsuit with Pocket
2. Biker Jackets
Talk of the ultimate timeless part of men’s staple and biker jackets will come up as a no-brainer. The classic tight-fitting leather, jeans, and some nice sneakers that every common folk loved (and still loves) to pull off were perhaps among the only few trends that continued throughout every decade, starting from the 80s. Anyways, biker or not, this look is for everyone who loves to seem edgy.
Top Picks
The Leather Factory Men’s SWORD Leather Biker Jacket
Event Biker Leather Men’s Jacket with Pockets
3. Baggy Jeans
Even though the trend of “excess” was over as the ’80s embraced its end, some styles still found their place in the 90s; and baggy jeans were one of them. A very common part of men’s street apparel, baggy jeans were as popular as today’s tight ones. They were often paired with a loose T-shirt and a chain with a velcro wallet attached to its end. Perhaps not as popular as the minimalistic 90s style, it looks unique if you manage to pull it off.
Top Picks
EnllerviiD Men’s Relaxed Hip Hop Denim Pants
Yeokou Men’s Casual Loose Hip Hop Cargo Pockets
4. Turtlenecks
Preppy, decent, and to an extent, classy, turtlenecks were among the few original trends that were the pure product of the 90s. And that’s why its beauty primarily lies in the simplicity factor. So even with the considerable color variation, it was associated with elegance. For instance, the color one chose was a reflection of his personality.
If someone were sober, intellectual, and more educated, he would go for a dark-colored turtleneck than casual stylos, who would pick anything that suited their outfit. You can go both ways and still rock it!
Top Picks
COOFANDY Mens Slim Fit Turtleneck Sweater
NITAGUT Men’s Casual Slim Fit Turtleneck Pullover Sweater
5. Bandanas
Who doesn’t know about bandanas? The classic street boy look, it was pretty persistent among the youth of the 90s. Not to mention the rappers who wore it as one of their accessories to maintain their swagger. Fast forward to today; it’s sort of associated with gangsters. However, you will also find a lot of nerds pulling it off. Elon Musk is an example ;).
Top Picks
Bycc Bynn 3 Pack 100% Cotton Square Scarf Headwear
Large Bandana Handkerchiefs – Head Bandannas for Men & Women
6. Cargo Pants
Talk of fashion, convenience, and functionality merged in one pant (lol); it would be nothing else than the cargo ones. Anyways, although not present in their old-ish, baggy form now, they were quite a thing back in the day, with many teenagers and adults keeping it as the central part of their casual look. Anyways, if you are into it, make sure to keep the fit a bit tight. You’ll look modern, but with a 90s essence.
Top Picks
Match Men’s Wild Cargo Pants
Haggar Men’s The Active Series Utility Cargo Pant
7. Long Socks
A nice T-shirt paired with shorts and a pair of long socks, and you are the fashion icon of every 90s teenager. As much as we wouldn’t recommend it to adults if you are in your early or late teenage years, this is a trend you don’t want to miss on. The only awkward thing about it? Never wear mismatched colors (just like the case with every outfit).
Top Picks
adidas Originals mens Trefoil Crew Socks (6-pair)
Under Armour Adult Performance Tech Crew Socks, Multipairs
8. Snapback Hats
Have you seen those baseball hats? Snapback hats are just the same, except that they are adjustable and have a high dome towards the front. Thanks to the 90s rappers, it became a huge trend that continues to be popular among men of every age. The best thing about snapback hats is their ability to blend in with every outfit. From baggy casuals to snug fits, it complements everything beautifully.
Top Picks
adidas Originals Men’s Trefoil Snapback Cap
Volcom Men’s Quarter Twill Snapback Hat
9. Capri Pants
Shorter than regular pants and longer than shorts, capri pants are one of those trends that the 90s recycled from the early 60s and passed it onto the 2000s, where their popularity again rose to its peak. To be more specific, capri pants are one of the most fantastic examples of timeless classics. It’s easy to wear and might even look stylish for a casual fit.
Top Picks
COOFANDY Men’s Linen Casual Beach Yoga Trousers
HangNiFang Men’s Long Linen Capri Pant
10. Tear Away/ Popper pants
What if Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, or Gigi Hadid brought the trend back to life? It’s still one of the most popular 90s fashions among men. But still, we cannot ignore the unusual shape, which brings up the question, where can you wear it? Well, that’s really up to your choice and tastes. Because let’s get honest here, it’s too fashionable for a casual fit, but at the same time, too funky for a party outfit. Halloween? Maybe?
Top Picks
SCHEKNTS Men’s Sweatpants with Pockets
BALEAF Men’s Tear Away Basketball Sweatpants
11. Windbreakers
Light, elegant, and stylish, the windbreaker was a part of every man’s wardrobe in winters. And for every good reason. Apart from being a fashionable part of man’s attire, especially the teens, windbreakers were equally comfy and warm, which added to the many reasons one would prefer it. Today, they maintain their distinct position and are easily likable due to their vibrant color patterns. You can easily put them on at a party or as daily clothing without feeling “old-ish.”
Top Picks
Charles River Wind & Water-Resistant Pullover
Champion Packable Anorak 1/4 Zip Jacket
12. Wallet Chains
Not that we hold any grudges against the wallet chains, but they were considered quite cringeworthy once the 90s ended…until the trend revived in 2016 and turned them into the most fashionable men and women fashion accessory. For men who love to push the “being hip” boundaries a level further, skinny jeans with wallet chains can be an excellent place to start. It doesn’t look bad anyway!
Top Picks
Biker Wallet Chain, Purse and Handbag
13. Ripped Jeans
Common today, ripped jeans were a pretty rebellious outfit in the 90s, when the minimalist, more gentle attire was quite the thing. Perhaps it was this peculiar nature that earned it its unique status among men. Any might be the reason, it was a total, timeless hit and continues to maintain its fashionable status among men and women. This might be something to consider for a young, fashionable man who tends to like the street guy looks.
Top Picks
Levi’s Men’s Big & Tall Davie Dust-Destructed-Stretch
14. Bucket Hats
Thanks to the 90s hip-hop culture and prominent rappers like Rakim and Ghostface Killah, bucket hats were the most trendy part of street fashion in the decade. Although its popularity witnessed a fall after the 90s, the trend has recently been revived after being sported by modern fashion icons like Rihanna. But you might be thinking, “doesn’t that make it a ladies exclusive fashion accessory?” Well, absolutely not! If Sean Connery can rock it, you can too!
Top Picks
CHOK.LIDS Everyday Cotton Style Summer Beach Vacation
15. Boat Shoes
Talk of popularity and boat shoes will come up as the strongest contender. Setting up the trend in the 1980s, the popularity of boat shoes was at an all-time high in the early and late 90s, among both men and women. Men wore slouch socks and tight rolled jeans to keep the socks prominent, while women wore leggings and turtlenecks or V-shaped sweaters. Although the trend died after the 90s, it saw its revival in the mid-2000s, and then a huge surge in the 2010s, which continues even now.
Top Picks
Sperry Men’s Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe
Sebago Men’s Clovehitch Ii Oxford
16. Graphic Tees
Graphic tees were another trend that the 90s borrowed from the 80s, however, with a slight twist that saved it from completely duplicating the old fashions. So unlike the 80s, where graphic tees were filled with phrases resonating opinions, those in the 90s were more colorful and stylish, with the various band and skate labels imprinted on them. For someone who’s greatly in need of expressing themself in the most “not so mean” elaborate way, graphic tees can be of help.
Top Picks
Donald Duck Angry Grumpy This Is My Happy Face T-shirt
NASCAR Vintage Daytona 500 Shirt Racing Mens Graphic T-Shirt
17. Combat Boots
Sportswear has remained an essential part of men’s fashion wear every decade; the 90s was no exception. The most popular shoes were Doctor Martens, which men usually paired up with khakis or ripped jeans to complement their apparel. This is yet another bold and timeless 90s style you can easily pull off any hour of the day, as it’s pretty standard among the young folk.
Top Picks
Steve Madden Men’s Jefries Combat Boot
Dr. Martens Men’s Vegan 1460 Fashion Boot
18. Oversized Flannel Shirts
You know it’s a fashion symbol when someone like ‘Kurt Cobain’ rocks it on the stage and in public. Often regarded as the definition of cool in the 90s, boys wore it either regularly or just tied it around their waist with a regular jacket and a simple T-shirt. Are they as cool today as they once were? Hell yeah!
Top Picks
Wrangler Authentics Men’s Long Sleeve Jacket with Hood
RVCA Men’s Standard Fit Long Sleeve Button Up Flannel Shirt
19. Board Shorts
Made usually of nylon or polyester material, board shorts are generally knee-length shorts with a rigid waistband that opens at the front with a velcro fly. Although they are quick-drying and were specifically made for swimming activities, they quickly became a popular trend among men in the 90s. One could see a lot of guys wearing vibrant board shorts on the streets. The trend even passed on to the 2000s and continues to be popular.
Top Picks
Hurley Men’s One and Only 22-Inch Boardshort
20. ½ Zip Hoodie
Thanks to the hip-hop culture of the 1970s and its use in the 1976 blockbuster ‘Rocky,’ the popularity of ½ zip hoodies was already at its peak when it entered the subsequent decades.
However, the notable appreciation for fashion came in the 90s. And that’s when it became a signature look of academics. The trend actually arose in the UK at the start. Still, it was quickly spread throughout the west, often by skateboarders and surfers. Those days and now, it’s an all-time timeless classic.
Top Picks
Comfort Colors Men’s Adult 1/4 Zip Sweatshirt, Style 1580
Heavy Blend 8 oz. Vintage Classic Quarter-Zip Cadet Collar Sweatshirt
21. NBA Jerseys
Well, have they ever been out of trend? On the contrary to modern-day basketball fans who pull on the garb occasionally for matches, the thing was mainstream back then. Young lads would casually walk in jerseys without even thinking about it. Fast forward to today, the trend might not be as popular as it was, young lads can still give it a try.
Top Picks
kekambas Men’s All American 33 Basketball Jersey Stitched S-3XL
22. Fanny Packs
What comes to your mind when you think about a fanny pack? Yeah, we know, it’s ‘The Rock’ fanny pack meme. But guess what, one thing we could bet on? It looked much better on men than what you see in that picture. A fanny pack was as functional as fashionable among both men and women back in the day. However, is it as swaggy as it once used to be? Depends on your personality ;).
Top Picks
adidas Originals National Waist Fanny Pack-Travel Bag
23. Velcro Wallet
The use of a velcro wallet is another ageless classic from the good old days (if you may call it). From classic leather wallets to exciting patterns, men loved to carry them around in the 90s. However, this popularity declined over time, until the 2010s, when they returned to the fashion scenes. Though still, we wouldn’t call it something like a “craze.”
Top Picks
Timberland PRO Men’s Cordura RFID Trifold Wallet
Vans Men’s Casual, One Size
24. Classic Casio Watch
Talk of the most fashionable watch in the 90s, men, and nothing beats Casio. Not that it’s better than class symbols like Rolex or anything, but they were affordable, stylish, and accessible, and that’s what made Casio a major trend-setter. Today, the specific watches aren’t as popular as they used to be; old-school lovers still keep them.
Top Picks
Casio Collection Unisex Adults Watch A168WA
Casio Men’s Vintage CA53W-1 Calculator Watch
25. Oakley Sunglasses
Well, as anyone who has breathed in the 90s will tell you what Oakley glasses were to the youth of the day. From common college teenagers to rappers, models, and sportsmen, everyone could be seen owning an Oakley; it was the new cool! But of course, this isn’t the 90s, and you should be really careful where and how to put on the glasses. Ask us, and we would only recommend it for sporty looks.
Top Picks
Oakley Men’s Oo9236 Valve Rectangular Sunglasses
FAQs
What was men’s fashion in the 90s?
Unlike the flashy, flamboyant fashion trends of the 80s, 90s fashion was inspired more by minimalist ideas, with men moving towards outfits that were as convenient as decent looking. One can say that the ‘90s laid the foundations for modern-day men’s fashion.
What shoes did men wear in the 90s?
There wasn’t a specific “boot trend” in the 90s since different men had different preferences. However, the most persistently used shoes in the 90s were white sneakers, combat boots, and boat shoes that men wore with respect to their outfits. Combat boots were considered more fashionable, though.
What are some 90s fashion trends?
Some of the prominent 90s fashion trends (both men and women) consisted of bomber jackets, fanny packs, oversized flannel shirts, and the use of ½ zip hoodies. The boys also loved to top it off with bucket hats, Oakley glasses, and the classic Casio watches.
What was the most popular hairstyle in the 90s?
If we had to rank, the most popular 90s hairstyle would be the “middle part.” No wonder why girls still go ga ga over Leonardo Dicaprio; it was simply iconic. However, spiky hair was also popular among young and adult lads. Take David Schwimmer from friends ;).
What pants were popular in the 90s?
In the ’90s, men usually wore cargo pants and ripped jeans as their daily garbs. But that was for the casuals. Men who liked to go the extra mile would also confidently put on baggy pants as well.
