It’s a wild ride out here in the fashion world, cycling through retro looks so fast it’ll make a girl’s head spin. With all of the dainty jewelry and baggy pants, 2023 is looking a whole lot like 1993. We’ve seen Dua Lipa photo dumps that are giving a Kurt Cobain-inspired glam grunge plaid aesthetic with a Balenciaga Le Cagole shoulder bag across her chest. We’ve seen Kourtney Kardashian rocking the choppy mid-length cut that is strongly reminiscent of Jennifer Aniston’s iconic 90s haircut. It’s not just celebrity Instagram posts that are bringing back the 90s – from the runways to the red carpet, 90s jewelry and fashion statements combined with modern twists are all the rage.
Coming Back Stronger Than a 90’s Trend
How does one create the perfect 90s-inspired look? It’s a delicate formula, but can be a banger of an ensemble when done well. We’re going to look at pairing some of our favorite 90s garments with the cornerstones of 90s jewelry fashion to create the perfect look, straight out of a Clueless-themed cocktail party. If the mindful modern gal wants a quintessential 90s look, two pieces and a little imagination can set her on the right road to becoming a 90s icon. Add in a pair of chunky shoes or a tight updo, and she’ll be ready to time travel to a red carpet populated by Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore (before her talk show made us all cry.)
Slip into Something Simple and Chic
Dainty little necklaces with girlie charms took us by storm in the 90s. A wardrobe was not complete without at least three different variations on the simple charm necklace, and stepping outside with the right dainty necklace and outfit combo brought out our inner Sarah Michelle Geller in a big way. The Dainty Star Necklace by Meira T harkens us back to the good ol’ days with thin chains and sparkly stars. To top off this 90s look, pair it with the iconic slip dress that was all over the red carpet at every cocktail party through the decade. A girl with a simple slip, a dainty charm necklace, and a dark lip color will give off the dream of the 90s wherever she goes.
Stoked for Chokers
These little necklaces had such a choke-hold on the fashion world for the entirety of the 90s that they bled into the early aughts. Chokers have had their heyday a few times in fashion history – the Victorians loved a velvet ribbon choker with a cameo charm or a diamond-encrusted evening neckpiece that hugged the neck. The 60s mod girls couldn’t get enough of the iconic daisy-embroidered choker or a thick black band that matched their chunky headbands. The 90s choker has its own tell-tale signs: simple yet stunning and perfect for a luxury jewelry designer to create for a dressed-up or dressed-down look. The 4 Stone Cluster Diamond Choker by Deutsch Fine Jewelry fits the 90s choker aesthetic to a tee. Four individual brilliant round diamonds form tiny clusters for each link, making this baby shine with every turn in the light. Pair this choker with a crop-top V-neck and bring a 90s look to any event.
Hoop, There It Is
Y’all, we couldn’t do a full write-up on 90s-inspired jewelry without mentioning the cornerstone of 90s earrings – the peerless hoop earring. Hoops have never really gone out of style completely, as the huggie hoop earrings were unstoppable throughout the early 2000s. While we love a miniature version of an iconic classic, hoop earrings were made to be large, loud, and rebellious. The Gold Diamond Oval Hoops by Rudolf Friedmann embody this concept completely. The textured chunky gold hoops paired with the mixed-metal diamond pavé look like they come straight out of a Lauryn Hill music video or the unforgettable Cindy Crawford Pepsi ad. Hoop earrings are a statement. Nearly every 90s girl has a dressed-down look with a glamorously large hoop – from Selina to Sade, maybe it’s actually hoops that are a girl’s best friend. We recommend following the juxtaposing casual trend with an oversized jacket to bring the 90s look home.