So, I was just scrolling online the other day, you know, trying to kill some time, and I saw some young folks wearing things that looked suspiciously familiar. It really threw me back, and I started thinking, “Wait a minute, what were the dresses like back in the 90s?” It’s funny how things come full circle, isn’t it?
Digging Through the Memory Files
My first step was just to sit and properly think. It’s not like I have a perfect catalogue in my head, but some styles just instantly jumped out. We really went through a few phases with dresses in that decade.
I remember early on, there was still a bit of that leftover 80s structure, but things quickly got simpler, or at least, we thought they were simpler. Here’s what really stood out in my mind:
- Slip Dresses: Oh my goodness, these were everywhere! Satin, velvet, you name it. We wore them on their own, or – and this was a big one – layered over a plain white t-shirt. Sometimes even a long-sleeved top underneath. Very versatile, or so we convinced ourselves.
- Babydoll Dresses: These were huge. Short, floaty, often with tiny floral prints. Empire waists were definitely a thing. Paired with chunky boots or those platform sneakers, it was a look.
- Grunge-inspired Dresses: Think plaid, darker florals, sometimes a bit oversized or deconstructed. Layering was key here too. Maybe a flannel shirt tied around the waist if you weren’t wearing it over the dress.
- Ribbed Knit Dresses: Bodycon but in a stretchy, ribbed material. Often quite simple, maybe with a button-down front. These were pretty comfortable, actually.
- Velvet Dresses: Especially for anything a bit more ‘dressed up’. Crushed velvet was a big deal. Deep reds, purples, blacks.
It wasn’t just the dresses themselves, but how we wore them. There was a certain attitude. A bit more casual, even when dressed up. We weren’t afraid to mix fancy with everyday stuff. Chokers were almost mandatory with any dress, and don’t forget the dark lipstick sometimes!
My Own Little Fashion Adventure
Thinking about all this actually reminded me of a specific incident. I must have been around 16 or 17. The slip dress over a t-shirt thing was at its peak. I was absolutely determined to nail this look for a friend’s party. I found this slinky, spaghetti-strap black slip dress, probably polyester, but it felt so grown-up. Then I picked out my whitest, brightest Hanes t-shirt to go underneath.
I spent ages getting ready, thinking I looked like Kate Moss, you know? Walked into the party feeling like a million bucks. Later, my friend’s older brother, who was always a bit of a joker, came up to me and said, deadpan, “Did you forget to take your undershirt off before you put your party dress on?” I was mortified! Absolutely crushed. I probably mumbled something and hid in the kitchen for a bit. Looking back, it’s hilarious. He wasn’t even being mean, just genuinely curious in his own clueless way. It just shows how subjective fashion can be, and how sometimes what we think is peak cool, others just don’t get. But hey, I rocked that look for the rest of the night, even if just out of spite!
It’s funny, because I was tidying up some old boxes in the attic last month, looking for some old photos for my daughter. And what did I find? A bunch of old clothes I couldn’t bear to throw out, including a very similar black slip dress. It’s a bit faded now, and probably wouldn’t fit, but holding it just brought all those memories flooding back. Maybe that’s why I’m even bothering to write this all down. It’s not just about the clothes, it’s about the feeling, the memories tied to them.
What I Reckon Now
So yeah, 90s dresses. A real mix, weren’t they? Some of it I look back on and cringe a tiny bit, but mostly it just makes me smile. And seeing bits and pieces of it coming back around now, on a new generation, it’s kind of nice. It’s a reminder that nothing in fashion is ever truly gone, it just takes a little nap. And honestly, some of those slip dresses? Still think they’re pretty cool, even without the t-shirt underneath anymore. Maybe.
