Preview

90s Fashion Trends: 'Less Is More'

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
600 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
90s Fashion Trends: 'Less Is More'
‘Less is more’ in 90s fashion

As we reflect on fashion history, there is not always a distinctive shift from one decade to the next. When transitioning from the 80s to the 90s, this was not the case, as there was an evident changeover from conspicuous consumer to ‘less is more.’ When hearing this phrase and applying it to fashion, I think it can be viewed in two ways. The more literal interpretation can be restated as it is preferred to have either a more minimalistic and simple outfit, or that it is en vogue to wear skimpier clothing. Both of these descriptions can be seen in 90s fashion.

Minimalism was a widely accepted trend of the 90s, as shoulder pads and off-the-shoulder sweaters became outdated and were replaced with cleaner lines and sleeker silhouettes. The excessive glamour of the 80s faded away, and jewelry became either non-existent or chic in its fineness and barely there quality. The only attribution to 1980s excess glamour was the bedazzling and embellishments to clothing or iridescent glitter shimmer on sheer and tulle fabrics and added to skin make up and hair spray. Designers such as Helmut Lang popularized this minimalistic trend by incorporating Japanese avant-garde aesthetics. Lang’s designs conveyed his view on how modern men and women want to dress. His clothes were without affectation and embodied an understanding that perfect cut, comfort, and ease of movement constitutes great fashion luxuries. Common examples of his key pieces slim mannish-shaped trousers for women, and sharply cut suiting that has a more androgynous shape.

The minimalistic trend of the 90s was evident from head to toe and was even embraced by celebrities of the decade. Pop stars that had once worn frilly miniskirts adorned with suspenders, full faces of makeup and plentiful accessories were now embracing new, more simplistic styles. Calvin Klein’s infamous ‘Clueless’ mini dress, worn by Alicia Silverstone in the legendary film is a perfect example of the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Fashion 1900s-2000s

    • 1445 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The ’30s silhouette embraced the female form for all to see. Bias cut slip dresses and natural waistlines replaced drop waist dresses, backless gowns replaced the mini dress trend, and voluminousness adornment a la cap sleeves, ruffles and maxi lengths replaced the straight, frill-less lines of a flapper dress meant for comfortable shimmying about the dance floor.…

    • 1445 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Fashion in 80's and 50's

    • 344 Words
    • 2 Pages

    As time goes by, fashion has had o very big influence on people´s personality features, clothing has become what. Over the 50’s and 80’s decades, it was suffered as many changes as the history its self has had. The main point on this essay is to compare or contrast the 80’s and 50’s fashion tendencies, and representative trends.…

    • 344 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Designers influenced by the revolutions in the film and music industry, began creating clothes similar to those seen on the big screen. Among them, there were glamorous, shockingly short dresses that enabled women to dance the night away.…

    • 254 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    As they frivolously pursue riches, they are only filled with emptiness: a hole that the American people still search to fill. As we enter the 90’s and even to the present day we are trying to find fulfilment in something; however, we have been conditioned to value money to the extent that it inhibits us from pursuing grander goals. As the time changed from the Civil Rights social justice movements of the 60’s and early 70’s to the escapism and focus on self and wealth in the late 70’s to 80’s, we witness significant changes reflected in what we value, how we think, and what we wear. James Laver said, “When seen in retrospect, fashions seem to express their era”, and this is clearly true from the analysis we have seen. Really, our fashion throughout history tells us a story; however, it is just an excerpt of an ongoing story continuing to today. History is not as easily partitioned as it appears to be here. Fashion and fads constantly evolving to reflect their eras. The story is fluid and the lines are inscrutable. Ultimately, Fashion reflects the society that it once represented. When taken apart carefully, within the proper context, it reveals the story of people: who they were, who they became, what they valued, and in a very simple manner, what they…

    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Geometric, vintage, and pop and op art clothing were famous during the 60’s. Also, people began to follow trends of celebrities/famous people, and young adults/college students. As research shows “The mods-short for moderns-took their inspiration from the beatniks and also studied American college fashion for fresh ideas. The results were vivid shirts and ties an turtlenecks, or for a more relaxed look, boxy blazers and narrow pants” (Connikie 40). Geometric, and pop and op art clothing were also very popular because they were easy to make at home with a few pieces of colored material stuck onto coats, sweaters and dresses” (“Trends of the Mid 1960’s”). These new styles that were emerging were sometimes similar but often very different from the decades before it. Lots of people were following the new funky trends, but with all trends, there was a handful of people who strongly disliked these new styles and tried to ban them (Connikie 41). The new trends of the 1960’s were beginning to emerge and many designers were trying to keep up with the high demand, and making sure the designs for the clothes were fresh and…

    • 987 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The 1980’s fashion is back, and its success is rooted in the similar economy we have with the 1980s. As a society we are deciding to “wear our personality”, rather than our pocket books and the fashion industry is staying alive by following this trend.…

    • 1884 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    1970s Fads and Fashion

    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The 1970’s were a time of disco, music and rock and roll. This brochure will show you a little bit of everything from the decade, beginning with the “Fads.”…

    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Ewing, Elizabeth. History of 20th Century Fashion. 4th ed. Hollywood: Costume and Fashion Press, 2001.…

    • 5309 Words
    • 22 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    A fad, or craze, becomes popular in a culture relatively quickly, but also loses its popularity dramatically. A fad that remains for a significant amount of time typically loses its significance in current popular culture as it evolves and becomes accepted into a society 's everyday culture. In the past hundred years, fashion fads have been characterized by politics, popular movies, music and famous celebrities. Most fads just wither and quickly fad away, but do they quietly wait to be resurrected by another generation.…

    • 1694 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    80s Fashion Influence

    • 787 Words
    • 4 Pages

    No one will forget the times of padded shoulders, Members Only jackets, Doc Martens, and neon. That’s why the 1980s were the most influential of all eras in regards to fashion. The great importance of the 80s, in regards to fashion, is shown by the fashion icons on the day, the era of fashion shows, and specific trends still reflected today.…

    • 787 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Women’s dresses were usually heavier and quiet. This involved women covering most of their body except their face. This was also called vintage dressing. As time went on clothes became lighter and lighter. By the early 1960s miniskirts were pretty common and vintage dressing was seen as sign of women’s freedom’s restriction in the face of a male dominated society. Women’s fashion changed with women’s role in society. They began to wear skirts with slits, shorter and tighter dresses. They also began to cut their hair shorter into bobs, bold and vibrant make up. However as time has moved on many things have changed for women’s fashion. Instead of most women being completely covered and conservative they are nude photos on the cover and inside of many magazines. Many women today were more jeans, slacks, even blazers, clothing that men are supposed to…

    • 768 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The 80s Research Paper

    • 412 Words
    • 2 Pages

    From fashion magazines to articles on the internet, 80s fashion is resurfacing. Stars, such as Diane Kruger, are still sporting the shoulder pad style on the runway. Denim has also brought its way back into a female’s closet, young and old. Additionally, Embellished jean jacket have become a recurring style at Levi’s or Free People. Who knew mirrored sunglasses originated in the 80s? Popular sunglasses brands, such as Ray Ban, have been selling mirrored sunglasses for years. Their credit should be given straight to the golden era of fashion, the…

    • 412 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Fashion in the 60's

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The 60's were a time of change and challenge. They brought hippies, space age, folk music, and the Beatles. Women's skirts got shorter, men's hair got longer, and everyone talked about love.…

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    T-shirts, overalls and combat boots. In 1990s, this look was adopted by major fashion labels,…

    • 1312 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Minimalism

    • 710 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Bibliography: 1-http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/384056/minimalism2-Minimalism and Fashion: Reduction in the postmodern era – Author :Elyssa Dimant 3-Less is More:Minimalism in Fashion –Author: Harriet Walker4-http://www.stylehousefiles.com/global-minimalism-jewel-by-lisa-ss-2011-collection/5-http://www.womenist.net/tr/p-5468/moda/minimalizm_mi,_o_da_ne.html…

    • 710 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics