We have seen the return of 90s fashion trends at the Fashion Weeks of 2025. Crop tops, bandeau tops, mesh fabrics, and other iconic 90s elements have made a comeback. Let's take a look at which trends from the past will be with us in the near future and how to style them.
In the 90s, celebrities embraced extremes when it came to their wardrobe choices. They would rock a simple cardigan on the red carpet or wear a sequined corset top for their morning coffee run. Interestingly, one staple that was present in every celebrity's wardrobe during that provocative and liberated era was a fitted button-down cardigan, preferably in a cropped style. For example, Christina Aguilera chose a pink cropped cardigan for the Teen Choice Awards in 1999. Style icon Kate Moss was spotted at New York Fashion Week in a fiery red cardigan by Vivienne Westwood in 1994.
The Milan Fashion Week SS 2025 showed us that cardigans are here to stay. They can be paired with skirts, worn over shirts, layered with wide-leg pants, or even mixed with other cardigans. The possibilities are endless in modern fashion when it comes to styling cardigan outfits.
Some fashion-forward individuals have taken it a step further and have expanded beyond traditional knit cardigans. They have embraced the twin-set trend, which consists of a cropped top and a cardigan (usually cropped as well). This ensemble has become a signature look of the 90s fashion. Celebrities like Cameron Diaz sported a matching knit set while strolling the streets of New York and then switched into heels for the premiere of the movie "Batman Forever" in 1995.
Today, the twin-set trend is still relevant. Influencers at Milan Fashion Week showcased modern variations of this ensemble, proving its timeless appeal. Instead of just a cardigan and a top, the pairings now include turtlenecks, dresses, and even multiple cardigans.
The 90s was a decade known for its bold, sensual, and liberated fashion. It was during this time that celebrities started wearing bras and corsets not only on stage and at events but also in their everyday lives. Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, and Gisele Bündchen are examples of stars who rocked the iconic white shirt trend. The white shirt continues to be a timeless piece in a woman's wardrobe, as seen in the outfits of fashion influencers today. It can be paired with a bandana, baseball cap, leather reptile suit, or even a sweatshirt.
In the 90s, the white shirt had a strong competitor in the form of the white t-shirt. It seemed like every new Hollywood starlet was an ambassador for this essential item. Julia Roberts, Naomi Campbell, and Drew Barrymore were among the fans of the basic white t-shirt. Drew Barrymore, in particular, was known for her grunge style, often pairing the white t-shirt with a leather jacket or fur coat. Looking at influencers and editors at Milan Fashion Week, one timeless rule stands out: in any fashion crisis, go for the white t-shirt.
If we had to pinpoint one major trend in shoulder fashion from the 90s, it would undoubtedly be the crop top trend. Britney Spears was the queen of crop tops and low-rise jeans, inspiring others like Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, and Jennifer Aniston to adopt this trend. The crop top has made a major comeback and is a clear example of the cyclical nature of fashion.
Sheer fabrics were a popular trend in the 90s, with nude-effect dresses, mesh long-sleeves layered over simple tops, and mermaid-core knits with relaxed textures resembling fishermen's nets. Another popular style was the bandeau top, which featured a simple horizontal strip exposing the shoulders and midriff while covering the chest. Celebrities like Christina Ricci, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, and many others embraced this trend.
In the 90s, Julia Roberts made a fashion statement by wearing a gray "men's" suit, shirt, and tie to the Golden Globe Awards. This iconic look solidified her status as a style icon of the 90s. Today, this classic and minimalist choice is still relevant. Julia Roberts continued to make the masculine-style blazer her signature look, wearing it on various occasions. Other stars, like Katie Holmes, followed suit and adopted this trend.
