The 1990s were a time of innovation and nostalgia when it came to accessories and fashion. Building off trends from previous decades, the 90s forged new ground with unique combinations and revivals that created many iconic looks.
Hair Accessories
From scrunchies to butterfly clips, hair accessories in the 90s allowed for creative personal expression.
Scrunchies
Scrunchies made a major comeback in the 90s. These large, fabric-covered hair elastics were a must-have accessory, allowing people to make a statement while also serving a functional purpose. Scrunchies came in endless colors and prints, with popular varieties including satin, velvet, gingham, and animal prints. They were worn high on top of the head, accenting a ponytail or bun. Scrunchies were a playful way for people to show off their unique style.
Butterfly Clips
Butterfly hair clips burst onto the scene in the late 90s. Typically made of plastic or metal, these clips opened and closed like little wings to hold sections of hair in place. Butterfly clips came in every color imaginable and allowed people to accessorize updos by clipping back strands of hair. They were often worn by matching sets of colorful clips, sometimes spelling out names or messages when viewed from above. Easy to use and available at affordable prices, butterfly clips allowed youth to participate in fun hair trends.
Jewelry
Jewelry trends in the 90s featured both delicate and statement pieces that pulled inspiration from past eras.
Choker Necklaces
Choker necklaces had a major moment in 90s fashion. These snug-fitting collars sat high on the neck, accentuating collar bones and elongating the look of the neck. Both plain black velvet chokers and tattoo chokers with metallic floral designs were hugely popular. Chokers gave a slightly edgy vibe, playing into 90s grunge styles. They were also reminiscent of Victorian fashion, blending modern minimalism with looks from the past.
Jelly Bracelets
Jelly bracelets emerged later in the decade as a colorful accessory worn in multiples on the wrist. Typically made of rubbery plastic, they came in neon brights and pastel shades. Jelly bracelets could relay secret messages through color coding, with each hue representing a different meaning. While exact meanings varied by region, blue, pink, orange, and red were seen as flirtatious, while black represented off-limits attraction. Their concealed symbolism and bold look made them a hit among young people who enjoyed having an inside social code.
Shoes
From chunky sneakers to platform slides, footwear took an experimental turn in the 90s with new extremes in height and silhouette.
Combat Boots
Combat or military boots became iconic in 90s fashion. With lace-up fronts and thick, lugged soles, combat boots gave off an edgy military vibe. Often made of leather or suede, they featured neutral color palettes of black, brown, olive green, or tan. Both men and women paired combat boots with everything from dresses to jeans. Their rugged soles provided function for winter weather and urban landscapes, while their commanding look aligned with popular grunge styles.
Jelly Shoes
On the opposite end of the practicality scale, jelly shoes entered mainstream fashion as a retro beach accessory turned streetwear staple. Made of translucent rubbery PVC, jelly shoes picked up traction as a lightweight, casual alternative to classic sneakers. Their bright neon colors and crystal-like sheen added 90s flair. Jelly shoes looked like candy for the feet, matching with ensembles across the color spectrum. Their no-fuss design made them an easy complement for everything from sundresses to rompers.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses got bigger and smaller in the 90s, expanding lenses to new proportions. Iconic shapes helped shades stand out as stylish statements.
Tiny Shades
Tiny sunglasses provided a paradoxical spin, balancing lenses smaller than one’s eye sockets on oversized attitude. Also called “John Lennon” shades, these miniature glasses maximized effect with colored or reflective lenses in otherwise see-through plastic frames. Their building block shape lent them an avant-garde look despite their compact form. Tiny shades made a specialty accessory for those confident enough to claim focus in a glance.
Butterfly Sunglasses
Butterfly sunglasses flared out lenses dramatically, taking angular eyewear to new extremes. Their wing-like effect echoed the butterfly hair clips also popular at the time. Butterfly shades came in a rainbow of transparent or gradient colors, playing with dimension in a super-sized way. The wider the wings, the more dramatic the statement. Butterfly sunglasses made a bold accessory choice for those not afraid of the limelight.
Conclusion
From scrunchies to jelly shoes, 90s accessories ran the gamut from nostalgic to futuristic. People used these statement pieces to craft unique looks that channeled both individuality and mass trends. Accessories offered inexpensive ways to participate in defining popular culture. Whether decked out in jelly bracelets or tiny sunglasses, 90s accessorizing created signature styles still iconic today.
