Figure 1.--Here we see a French fashion image of Parisizn girls during the 1990s. Note the trend for boys', or retro former boys' styles. .

Fashion trends during the 1990s decade are a bit difficult to summarize because there were so many disparate and sometimes discordant elements. Perhaps the most pronounced trend was a definite transition from the often over the top, showy trends that were popular in the 1980s, although not the more florid styes of the 70s. Rather we see in the 1990s a trend toward what might be called minimalist aesthetics. As in most decades we see quite a number of the previous decade trends persisting for both boys and girls. Girls continued wearing short-cut shorts, but boys gturned away from the shirt sports styles and adopted longer cuts. The 1970s and 80s were dominated by sports influenced casual wear with athletic styles becoming major fashion influences. A major fashion influencer in the 1990s was the increasing popularity of grunge and various alternative, often garish rock bands. These bands had none of the clean-cut Beatles look. This new form of rock music was a pivotal force in thrusting a studied unkempt grunge look into the fashion main stream. And was well-established by mid-decade. Part of this was an anti-conformist attitude which of course became wide-spread conformity. It brought the casual trends of earlier decades to the ultimate conclusion. Young people wore primarily T-shirts, hoodies, jeans including bib-front overall styles, and sneakers. Once modestly priced jeans were now expensive designer jeans. Leather shoes declined significantly in popularity, while trendy sneakers often approached the cost of leather shoes. Another notable 1990s trend was the was the recycling of former popular styles, dating as far back as the 1950s. Also notable was an increasing girlish appropriation of boys' styles. A trend not reciprocated by the boys. Boys clothing in America has gone from bad to worse in the 1990s. Little boys began dressing as little men when they dress up. Older boys strenuously avoid dressing up, usually with considerable success ass part of the casual/grunge ethic. A popular style for teenagers has become ridiculously oversized jeans. Often jeans or hideous long, baggy trousers are the order of the day. Some girls and especially mothers were appalled at the fashion.

Created: 6:52 PM 9/27/2023
Last updated: 6:52 PM 9/27/2023