That Dive into 90s Betsey Johnson Style
Okay, so I got this idea stuck in my head the other week. Saw some old pictures, maybe it was online, maybe flipping through an old box, doesn’t matter. But boom, Betsey Johnson’s 90s runway shows popped into my mind. You know, the crazy fun ones. The colors, the prints, the cartwheels she used to do. Pure energy.
So I thought, hey, I wanna try and capture that vibe again. Maybe find a piece, or just put together an outfit that screams 90s Betsey. Seemed simple enough, right? Wrong.
First thing, I started digging. Went online, trying to find specific looks I remembered. It’s harder than you think. Lots of photos, sure, but pinning down one exact runway piece from like, ’94? Good luck. And the stuff you can find? If it’s actual vintage Betsey from that time, forget about it. The prices are just wild. Not happening for a casual project.
So, plan B. DIY or thrift store mission. I decided to focus on recreating the feeling rather than finding an exact match. What did I need?
- Something floral, maybe a bit grunge-y. Like those babydoll dresses she did.
- Maybe some velvet? Felt very 90s Betsey too.
- Definitely needed the right shoes. Chunky boots, platform sandals, something loud.
- Accessories! Quirky jewelry, maybe fishnets or patterned tights.
Went to a few thrift spots. Spent hours looking through racks. Found a decent floral slip dress, wasn’t Betsey, but it had the right kind of pattern. Washed it, felt pretty good about that find. Then I looked for boots. Struck out mostly, found some okay-ish black boots but not the perfect chunky monsters I had in my head. Had to make do.
Tried putting the dress and boots together. It was… okay. Missing something. Needed more layers, more texture. Remembered Betsey often layered things up. Dug through my own closet. Found an old mesh top. Threw that under the dress. Better. Added some cheap, colorful plastic rings I found ages ago. Starting to feel a bit more like it.
The real challenge was getting the attitude right. It wasn’t just clothes. It was about being fun, a bit rebellious, not taking fashion too seriously. That’s what I always loved about her stuff. It wasn’t trying to be cool and distant; it was loud and happy and a bit messy.
So, I didn’t find an original runway piece. Didn’t perfectly replicate a look. But I did manage to pull together an outfit that felt like a nod to that era, to her style. It was fun rummaging around, trying things on, remembering that specific kind of fashion energy. Took more effort than I expected, honestly. But scrolling through endless perfect Instagram feeds gets boring. This felt more real, more hands-on. Glad I did it.
