5 Celebrities Who Perfectly Rock 90s Retro Fashion

90s retro fashion celebrities brought bold, iconic styles that continue to influence trends today. From Naomi Campbell’s sequins to the Spice Girls’ platform shoes, discover how these stars set unforgettable fashion moments.

5 Celebrities Who Defined 90s Retro Fashion

The stock market meltdown on Black Friday in 1989 was followed by the 1990 recession. But did you know about the economic downturn?

In fashion, it abruptly ended the more-is-more, greed-is-good ’80s luxury. Fashion seemed like a wake-up call, and designers provided a new minimalist look that was welcomed like a breath of fresh air—enter Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, and Helmut Lang. (In 1990, Ribat Ozbek debuted an all-white collection that signified a watershed moment and a reset of the times.)

The decade began with leggy, Versace-clad supermodels Linda, Cindy, Naomi, and Christy dominating the scene with elusive charm. It was hot all day and night. A few years later, however, the tides shifted, and Vogue predicted the comeback of the gamine—but these weren’t your wide-eyed ingenues from the 1960s. What followed was a crop of waifish models with pallor, who appeared to have bird-like hollow bones and, unlike their fearsome predecessors, looked as if (in the words of Karl Lagerfeld) “they need protection.”

The epitome of this new muse? Kate Moss.

Who Led The Retro Charge?

The decade progressed with concern over the arrival of Y2K and trepidation about newfangled technology (flip phones and the internet), resulting in two new fashion trends. One was aggressively fantastical—a fashion that escaped the present and fused pieces from other cultures and eras together.

The other was a theatrical pastiche of fashion references that glanced back, left, right, and front and center (see John Galliano for Dior). The other style that emerged from the Y2K era was an embrace of change, a lighthearted take on cyber couture. Jean-Paul Gaultier championed this look with his “The Future is Now” works.

That being said, let’s explore the 90s retro fashion rocked by five celebrities.

1. Naomi Campbell wearing a 1990s dress

Following her first Vogue cover in 1987, the fashion world couldn’t get enough of Naomi Campbell during the 1990s. In addition to writing a novel (did you know she was an author?) and being the first black woman to launch a Prada show in 1997, we’re intrigued by her decade-specific style.

For example, she donned a sequin white dress with fringe to a New York party. Simply lovely. And if you’re one of the fashion aficionados who would love to elevate the style to another level and give it a modern look, shop 90s retro apparel at a store offering high-quality merchandise.

2. Liz Hurley wearing the Versace safety pin outfit

Liz Hurley, arriving on the arm of then-boyfriend Hugh Grant at the Four Weddings and a Funeral premiere in Versace’s safety pin dress, is undoubtedly one of the most famous fashion moments of the 1990s.

Even after 29 years, it still slays.

3. The finest Spice Girls’ ’90s style

Of course, we can’t discuss the 1990s without discussing the Spice Girls. Scary, Baby, Posh, Ginger, and Sporty not only exuded girl power but also provided us with plenty of fashion inspiration. We’re talking platform shoes, tiny dresses, crop tops, breast tubes, clunky trainers, and *a lot* more. Alexa, play “Spice Up Your Life.”

4. Princess Diana in her revenge dress

Yes, this was the era of Princess Diana’s revenge outfit. Diana defied Royal tradition by wearing an off-the-shoulder, form-fitting black silk short dress to a Vanity Fair gala three years after her divorce from Prince Charles.

The same night, Prince Charles admitted to his affair with Camilla. We can’t think of a better garment to say, “Charles, who?” hence the ‘revenge’ moniker.

5. Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell

It would be difficult to talk about ’90s fashion without mentioning Kate Moss or Naomi Campbell’s names. The couple spent most of the decade on runways and magazine covers, and their off-duty style influenced some of the major trends.

Fur-trimmed coats and miniskirts? We’d wear this style today.

Women’s Trends of the Nineties

Supermodels: The Emergence of Models as Muses and Celebrities

They were turning heads and fluttering hearts in the late 1980s, but by the 1990s, they had firmly captured the world’s attention. They were supermodels.

But what about the big four?

Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington. But then there were Claudia Schiffer, Tatjana Patitz, Tyra Banks, Carla Bruni Sarkozy, Helena Christensen, Yasmeen Ghauri, Nadja Auermann, Stephanie Seymour, Elle MacPherson, and others.

Why were these girls so popular? Why do they have their distinct personalities? Why are they so well-known all around the world? How come I can turn on the TV in Scotland and see Christy Turlington washing her face with three different varieties of Camay soap? How come a Japanese news crew travels to Paris to ask Linda Evangelista — in English — about her hobbies? How come these gals get paid so much? Have you been photographed so many times? In such demand? “Where has the extraordinary phenomenon of the supermodel come from?” wondered Vicki Woods in a lighthearted story in Vogue’s July 1991 issue.

Men’s Trends from the 1990s

Giorgio Armani remained the king of tailoring for men looking to suit up, but as the 1990s were the most casual decade yet, many men wanted to take advantage of society’s permission to be more laid-back. Casual Fridays swiftly took over the office, and companies such as the Gap capitalized by outfitting men in Chinos rather than woolen trousers.

Other fashion tribes that men may join included the hip-hop and grunge music scenes. In the past, loose jeans and layered tees were popular. Thrifted band tees worn beneath unbuttoned button-ups and tattered jeans were popular. Men can join the cyber-fashion trend with spiky, frosted blond tips and shiny goggle-like eyewear.

Why are celebrities attracted to throwback fashion?

Celebrities go for retro attire because it helps them stand out and make a statement. Retro fashions provide a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation, allowing celebrities to express themselves and shape global fashion trends.

Top Celebrities Rocking Iconic 90s Retro Fashion

Celebrities reviving retro fashion is more than simply a nostalgic fad; it demonstrates the timeless attraction of vintage styles. Today’s celebrities are not only paying respect to iconic eras but also paving the way for the future of fashion by embracing and recreating past trends. Whether you’re a fan of 70s boho, 80s power dressing, or 90s grunge, there’s little doubt that throwback.

Celebrities reviving 90s retro fashion prove that these styles remain timeless. From daring outfits to iconic accessories, these fashion choices continue to inspire modern trends. Embrace the nostalgia, make it your own, and bring a piece of 90s retro fashion into your look.