Our 90s life, in clothes.

My So Called Life
Angela and Julie circa 1994.
 We re-watched the quintessential 90s movie Mad Love over the weekend for the first time since, well, 1995, and it got us thinking about what it was like to be a teenager back then, compared to today. Obviously the differences are night and day; no cell phones, internet, Snapchat. But there was also no fast-fashion, no online shopping, and very few good chain stores. There were a few cool boutiques in Toronto, but it was slim-pickings compared to today, and that meant we had to get creative with our clothing.

90s Drew Barrymore

Take Mad Love for example. We worshiped Drew, on and off screen. She was the coolest. We plucked our brows to the point of non-existence and wore daises in our hair. We dreamed of running away with our imaginary boyfriends in a "f-you Mom and Dad, no one understands me!" kind of way. We wore unbelievably unflattering oversized men's shirts we bought at Value Village, baggy pants, and at our most feminine, spaghetti-strap babydoll dresses over baby tees. 

Drew Barrymore Mad Love

Drew Barrymore Mad Love

Drew Barrymore in Mad Love

Back then it was actually cool to look unattractive (or at least at least, attractive in a very non-sexual way). It was also cool to wallow in your own angst. What were we so upset about? No idea. We had very nice, comfortable lives. We had a great time in high school and dated cute boys. And yet we still managed to come home at the end of the day, put on some Pearl Jam and have a good wallow. We wore  XXXL Nirvana t-shirts that drowned us. I had a little collection.  

Because "grunge" was everything, it wasn't cool to look like you had any money or shopped at the mall. We wanted more than anything to be this era Courtney Love. Luckily it was very easy to replicate her dirty-grunge look with pieces we found in Kensington Market and our local thrift shops. I would go out with $30 and come back with bags of ill-fitting clothes. Somehow. 

90s grunge Courtney Love

We played this album to DEATH and screamed along to Rock Star at the top of our lungs in our bedrooms, about how everyone else was the same, and we were oh so different. So individual. So much better. HA.

Hole, Live Through This



My So Called Life was a revelation. We idolized free-spirited Rayanne and her amazing ensembles but identified more with insecure Angela and her demented interior monologue. 

My So Called Life


                      


The overalls, the plaid shirts, the obsessive layering, the not-wearing-anything-that-fit-us-properly-ever.  I even had Angela's cut and colour. It was much worse on me. And all the hot guys had long hair like Jordan. If they didn't, they weren't worth our time.


Wearing my cherished Docs, overalls and a peace necklace, summer '93.


Reality Bites

Reality Bites was another favourite. I remember thinking it was so funny and ironic that Vickie worked at the Gap. The Gap was so lame. Brands in general were so uncool. So corporate. We wanted so much to be what we thought was "anti-establishment" that I can actually remember people cutting brand labels out of their shirts so no one would know it came from the mall. No joke. For some reason we were alright with pricey Doc Martens, (I begged my parents for months for my pair) but that was it. And if I did get my jean jacket at the Gap, I sure as hell wasn't going to admit to it. I found it in, like, a dumpster, guys. 

Vicky in Reality Bites

These days we all freely align ourselves with brands, as it's so much easier to do so now because of social media. Branding yourself has become the norm. But it didn't used to be that way. There was a real sense that it was "us against them". Oh how the times have changed. 


The one example of branding that really struck a chord with the grunge generation were those iconic Calvin Klein ads, because we were all so obsessed with the grungy, no-makeup, waif-like Kate Moss. She was the anti-supermodel, and a brilliant example of the CK marketing team capturing the zeitgeist of the youth at that time and selling it right back to us. Maybe that was the beginning of it. At some point in the mid-nineties I remember everyone suddenly lusting after those classic Club Monaco label sweatshirts. Were we outgrowing grunge?

Kate Moss  90s Calvin Klein ads


Or maybe Sex and The City and Clueless just came along and changed everything. Maybe we all just grew up.


Sex and The City Season One


Cher in Clueless shopping scene



We're not saying one era was better than the other, just that things were very different. You never had to worry about what you looked like at school, because no one was going to put your picture on the internet. You weren't going to be tagged on Facebook or Instagram.  There were no such things as selfies or Snapchat. The worst that could happen was a bad photo of you in the yearbook. And that was once a year, so really, who cares? 

Part of me is kind of sad that teens these days will never experience the kind of anonymity that we took for granted. But they seem quite content to incessantly post their fabulous lives all over social media, so I'm not gonna feel too sorry for them. I'm just so happy there was no Instagram in the 90s, because my life was anything but fabulous. 

Drew Barrymore 90s YM cover


Back-to-school babe I was NOT. My look was more "homeless-runaway-chic". But that was fine with me.







75 comments:

  1. Love this post!! I remember all of those feelings growing up in the 90's!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Whether you’re looking for off-duty denim or work-wear staples, our women's cloth has got you covered for any occasion. from directional daytime looks to party-ready pieces, our affordable prices will allow you to update your wardrobe season after season.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks For sharing this Superb article.I use this Article to show my assignment in college.it is useful For me Great Work. Kinderkleding online kopen

    ReplyDelete
  4. Give yourself sufficient opportunity to search for the correct style of outfit to coordinate the forthcoming event. Kinderkleding online

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have read all the comments and suggestions posted by the visitors for this article are very fine,We will wait for your next article so only.Thanks! clothes

    ReplyDelete
  6. When I wore an outfit that I got no consideration about, I really felt undetectable and discouraged. In some cases simply contemplating another new outfit I would wear the following day and how great I'd look and how begrudged I'd be was all I considered on those discouraging days. pirate surf clothing

    ReplyDelete
  7. Style exists as two universes today, the genuine and the shallow. I feel style is horribly misconstrued and censured in the contemporary sense. In the shallow universe of style, it is seen as the benefit of the alleged upper strata of the general public. This is the deplorability of the present design.
    womenswear

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello, this weekend is good for me, since this time i am reading this enormous informative article here at my home. cocktail dresses in Australia

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dark is likewise not a shading but rather the nonappearance of all the rainbow hues. In painting there are three essential hues red, green and blue. Different hues are called auxiliary hues and are produced or acquired either by blending any at least two of the essential paint hues. White paint is a blend of the three essential hues. clothing uk

    ReplyDelete
  10. They usually do not have a store of their own to display their clothing wholesale merchandise instead they work from warehouses and offices. They get in touch with the customers through salesperson or through the internet. Custom Iron On Patches

    ReplyDelete
  11. When you first start out, it is your friends and family that will likely help you choose which designs you should move forward. Dutch Label Shop

    ReplyDelete
  12. We do custom patches, embroidered patches, printed patches, custom Velcro patches, clothing labels, PVC patches, custom leather patches, custom keychains, and other promotional products. Following is an overview of our products. Custom Iron On Patches
    Houston Embroidery Service
    sales@houstonembroideryservice.com
    10685B Hazelhurst Dr.
    STE 13006
    Houston, TX 77043
    United States
    903-951-5430

    ReplyDelete
  13. I really like your take on the issue. I now have a clear idea on what this matter is all about.. get instagram likes free app

    ReplyDelete
  14. I’m going to read this. I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. and also This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article... marcasite bracelets vintage

    ReplyDelete
  15. allow women to make their booty "pop" in seconds, curving out their jeans, shorts, pants, skirts and dresses. Women can now have the hourglass silhouette they've always wanted safely, easily and comfortably. You'll be wearing all day, every day! Snack Booty Shorts

    ReplyDelete
  16. Don't let moths and other insects destroy your clothing. To protect your clothes, Wedding Collection you may want to use canvas storage boxes or vacuum storage bags. You can save your clothes for years if you know how to wash them properly.

    ReplyDelete
  17. You will agree that some of the threats to good clothes are mice and roaches. If mice driven crazy by Sommerkleider starvation get a tiny chance of accessing your closet, your clothes will be in a great deal of trouble.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This holds particularly valid for recycled vintage attire. These garments may have most likely been specially crafted to fit the proprietor. Some garments could have longer sleeves or a more extensive chest which may seem off-kilter when worn by another person. When purchasing dresses or covers, know the proper length that would accommodate your tallness. trendy boutique

    ReplyDelete
  19. Guys are evidently oblivious to this dilemma; it's the gals who have a hard time. Maintaining an air of dignity while moving around a shop in search of plus size clothing is difficult. Bondage Kits

    ReplyDelete
  20. Given that the society has become extremely fast paced, the convenience that comes with online shopping is like sweet music to the ears of many. women's sexy online boutique

    ReplyDelete
  21. The current twofold breasted coats however are just remainders of their previous selves - gone are the large shoulder braces, they are cut shorter and the mass factor is taken out and out permitting shorter men the chance to wear one without turning all overwhelmed upward. Joker Jacket

    ReplyDelete
  22. Monitor the amount you are spending on child's clothes. Slow down in the event that you think you are as of now overspending. houston embroidery

    ReplyDelete
  23. Boutique young ladies clothing is special and elite. Since these adorable young lady outfits are produced in restricted amounts (and at some point are unique), it is profoundly improbable that you will run into a kid wearing a similar outfit as your girl or granddaughter. houston embroidery

    ReplyDelete
  24. A suit. This could be basic in case you're looking for a work. Search for a tuxedo: coat, skirt and gasp. This way you'll capitalize on your cash. The coat can be worn with some pants for a more easygoing day, or over a dress. find more info

    ReplyDelete
  25. The dress had fasten down creases and self covered catches. The ladies normally wore high necks and had pockets on the front side of the dress. These dresses truly said something and showed an exceptional feeling of design. collection 2020

    ReplyDelete
  26. Excellent information on your blog, thank you for taking the time to share with us. Amazing insight you have on this, it's nice to find a website that details so much information about different artists. home disinfection service

    ReplyDelete
  27. In the event that you are not cautious on your buy, you will purchase superfluous child things. how to used sex toys

    ReplyDelete
  28. The need to look for clothes and envision wearing them and getting praises from ladies when I wear them has taken to a lesser extent a hang on me. In any case, sometime in the past looking for clothes was a basic piece of my every day daily routine since I experienced for the consideration and acclaim those new outfits gave me. Leslie Jean Designs

    ReplyDelete
  29. Portray your optimal client. Are there enough of these gathering in your general vicinity to keep you in business? Are there adequate public in the close by region who would buy the things you would advance, at the costs you would have to charge? bow sleeve sweater

    ReplyDelete
  30. Military overflow along with other armed force stuff can likewise be purchased in armed force clothing deals stores. Tom Hardy Dark Knight Rises Bane Real Shearling Coat

    ReplyDelete
  31. So does everyone else in the world! You may not have realized it until just now, but there are a lot of t-shirts out there in the world today and just about all of them have some kind of print on them - but where did they come from. New t shirt styles

    ReplyDelete
  32. Punisher Coat is made from pure and high-quality leather. Special attention to details has been paid. You only need to be confident enough to carry this trench coat with great style and persona. The pure leather material makes the jackets stay with you for years. 

    ReplyDelete
  33. I was wondering if anyone knows what happened to Dimepiece Los Angeles celebrity streetwear brand? I cannot check out on [url=https://dimepiecela.com/]site[/url]. I have read in Teen Vogue that they were acquired by a UK hedge fund for $50 million. I have just bought the Dimepiece Red Flags Unisex Long Sleeve Tee from Amazon and totally love it xox dimepiece los angeles

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hong Kong's clothing producers have fashioned solid associations with their clients. They can comprehend and cook for the inclinations of expansive client bases. usa kilts

    ReplyDelete
  35. this movie star is really amazing and i love its performance .Every time I see this, I keep seeing this .And you know for sure, I will tell you one more thing similar to this I know another famous brand called berryberri kitchen towels. State Open is also like this, if a man sees once, he keeps looking ..

    ReplyDelete
  36. This absence of genuine love has its cost. It sets you up as a female grown-up to be totally subject to others for consideration and analysis in your life and to effectively succumb to addictions like garments shopping and a habit-forming need for consideration. wholesale underwear

    ReplyDelete
  37. 90s clothing is simple than 21st century. Everyone has change in 90's no cell phones, insta, internet, Snap chat. World is to changed. Biker Leather Jackets For Women

    ReplyDelete
  38. She is the one we always wear new outfits in front of to get appraisal and compliments about how we look. She is the one who notices every new pair of shoes, every new piece of jewelry, whether our hair looks particularly healthy and attractive that day, and every new item of clothing we are wearing to the minutest degree. leather jackets canada

    ReplyDelete
  39. In the event that it fits the individual's feeling of design and if that individual feels completely good and sure with what the person wears then the outfit would look like it emerged from a style symbol's storeroom. mg kurti manufacturer in kolkata

    ReplyDelete
  40. The cash spent by clothing shopaholics turns into the setback of the fixation, however it isn't the habit-forming need to go through cash that causes the enslavement. b3 bomber leather jacket

    ReplyDelete
  41. All female clothing shopaholics make them thing in like manner: original leather jackets

    ReplyDelete
  42. So it is interesting and very good written and see what they think about other people. click here

    ReplyDelete
  43. What's more, these models and entertainers regularly got her endorsement. I yearned for that sort of endorsement from her, however I never made it grow up. Maybe that is the reason I drew innumerable drawings of ladies wearing garments that seemed as though my mom, just to get her endorsement, regardless of whether it was just with regards to a drawing I did. plus size silk pajamas

    ReplyDelete
  44. A natural and safe alternative to surgery, butt enhancing creams work by stimulating new growth in the cells of the muscle and tissue in the buttocks area. Black Maca

    ReplyDelete
  45. However, I am less needing the force they offer me to be seen, respected, and begrudged. The need to search for garments and envision wearing them and getting praises from ladies when I wear them has taken to a lesser degree a hang on me. silk pajamas for men

    ReplyDelete
  46. Indeed, she let others know what she appreciated with regards to me, however she would never say those words to me.silk pajamas for men

    ReplyDelete
  47. It was the main thing that made all the difference for me; imaging that outfit in my storage room and the force it would give me to be seen and praised.. I'd fantasize about the shoes I'd wear with the outfit and how I'd match my eye shadow to it and the esteem I'd get.long silk robe

    ReplyDelete
  48. Machine embroidery services are advantageous as they allow individuals to select embroidery patterns from a wide range of options and create their favorite embroidered clothes with the help of digitized embroidery machines. Low cost and employing machines are added advantages that help in creating most beautiful line of clothing.check this link

    ReplyDelete
  49. The blog is clear demonstration of the fact that, you can’t compromise with the quality.Read more

    ReplyDelete
  50. You will observe that the heft of stores are selling womens clothing and they all come in various shadings. pregnancy shapewear

    ReplyDelete
  51. I found one successful example of this truth through this blog. I am going to use such information now. Kurtis Manufacturer In Jaipur

    ReplyDelete
  52. Also we are her female appraiser too. We notice each new thing she wears and we remark concerning how great she looks also. We frequently envy her appearance and new outfits. Our relationship is the common harmonious taking care of our inner self jealousy. silk pajamas for men

    ReplyDelete

  53. The clothing business is a significant assembling area of Hong Kong. Its gross result is one of the greatest among all assembling areas, adding up to HK$35.9 billion out of 2003.silk pajamas for men

    ReplyDelete
  54. Clothing sizes have developed from those days. This implies that a huge measured one of a kind sweater could really fit a little estimated individual. silk pajamas for men

    ReplyDelete
  55. Furthermore we are her female appraiser also. silk pajamas for men

    ReplyDelete
  56. We even watch the number of individuals notice us more than her when both of us walk together in broad daylight, silk pajamas

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hmm… I interpret blogs on a analogous issue, however i never visited your blog. I added it to populars also i’ll be your faithful primer. https://www.frclothing.co/

    ReplyDelete
  58. Well, this got me thinking what other workouts are good for those of us who find ourselves on the road or have limited equipment options. https://frclothing.co

    ReplyDelete
  59. I just found this blog and have high hopes for it to continue. Keep up the great work, its hard to find good ones. I have added to my favorites. Thank You. https://frclothing.co/

    ReplyDelete
  60. Movement of creation offices seaward has anyway brought about a consistent decrease in the quantity of clothing makers in Hong Kong.
    silk pajamas

    ReplyDelete
  61. The clothing business is a significant assembling area of Hong Kong. silk pajamas set

    ReplyDelete
  62. Here you will learn what is important, it gives you a link to an interesting web page: mulheres rio branco

    ReplyDelete
  63. In India most religious rituals are conducted by wearing silks.matching christmas pajamas

    ReplyDelete
  64. wow, great, I was wondering how to cure acne naturally. and found your site by google, learned a lot, now i’m a bit clear. I’ve bookmark your site and also add rss. keep us updated. www.excellentcustomclothing.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. iç giyim

    ReplyDelete
  66. It is quite beneficial, although think about the facts when it reaches this target. visit this site

    ReplyDelete
  67. I never buy things online. Because I'm afraid of getting the wrong size. Help me please. I am looking for mens gothic pants , but I have absolutely no time to go shopping. Maybe there are some great tips on this subject?

    ReplyDelete
  68. These you will then see the most important thing, the application provides you a website a powerful important internet page: visit this site

    ReplyDelete
  69. Why do only so much written on this subject? Here you see more. houston patches

    ReplyDelete
  70. I'm glad to see the great detail here!. techwear-x.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Virtual Goods can never be redeemed 1xbet korea for actual money, goods, or any other merchandise of monetary value from Company or any other get together. You perceive that have not any|you do not have any} proper or title in Virtual Goods aside from the extent of your limited license. No matter what device you're be} using to play – just choose any slot among our free on-line slot video games, and use it lengthy as|so lengthy as} you want.

    ReplyDelete