In summary, cargo pants were popular in the 90s because they encapsulated the decade's love for practicality, comfort, and a laid-back style. Their association with influential subcultures like grunge and hip-hop, along with their versatility and unisex appeal, made them a defining piece of 90s fashion.
Mid-1990s to 2000s
By 1999, flare jeans had come into vogue among women, which had a wider, more exaggerated flare than boot-cuts. The boot-cut style ended up dominating the fashion world for 10 years.
In 1938, cargo pants made its debut in the British Battle Dress Uniform (BDU). The cargos marked the British BDU's transition from formality-focused to practicality-focused garments.
- Jeans all over. While pants were often loose-fitting in the early 90s, the trend in the mid-90s was toward a tighter fit and a more feminine style. Pantsuits, short skirts and dresses, hot pants and high-waisted, ankle-length mom jeans are in. In the nineties, any cut is welcome - as long as the material is denim.
For much of the 1990s, particularly the middle years, teenage boys and girls bought and wore very simple clothes, such as shortalls, flannel shirts, athletic shorts, dress shorts short or bermuda length, track suits, high-waisted ankle length jeans and pants, plain or pleated, leggings, bike shorts, stretch pants and ...
The '90s was a golden era of pop culture and music. Characterized by casual outfits, bright colors, crop tops, baggy pants, graphic tees, slip dresses, and denim overalls, many '90s fashion trends are still stylish today. Athleisure and streetwear (popularized globally in the '90s) are as popular as ever.
Cargo pants, baggy clothing, flannel shirts with ripped jeans, and crop tops all take the lead for the most popular 90s styles.
Cargo pants may have originated in the '90s, but today's designers have breathed new life into this classic style, making it relevant for the contemporary wardrobe. One striking example is the mesh denim cargo pants by New York Fashion Week rising star PRIVATE POLICY, now available on SALE!
Humor in television and film was marked by ironic self-references mixed with popular culture references. Alternative music movements like grunge, reggaeton, Eurodance, and hip-hop, became popular, aided by the rise in satellite and cable television, and the internet.
For girls, common styles were babydoll and denim dresses over t-shirts and leggings, fuzzy sweaters, oversized sweatshirts, and plaid shirts over acid washed or light high-waisted straight leg jeans, capri pants, or denim and patterned shorts.
Cargo pants or cargo trousers, also sometimes called combat pants or combat trousers after their original purpose as military workwear, are loosely cut pants originally designed for rough work environments and outdoor activities, distinguished by numerous large utility pockets for carrying tools.
Cargo pants truly shine as the ultimate wardrobe staple, blending functionality and style across all seasons. From the lightweight, breathable designs perfect for spring and summer to the heavier, insulated options for fall and winter, there's a pair of cargo pants for everyone.
Cargo pants have also remained a popular workwear item, worn in a wide range of manual and skilled trades. Yet between the mid-'80's to 2000's, cargo pants also became a fashion “must have” and a staple across popular culture, including in music videos and even the red carpet.
Both men and women adopted grunge fashion in the early part of the decade and loose, oversized clothing and jeans became staples. As the decade progressed, women's fashion became more streamlined as minimalism became de rigueur, while children's clothing often featured popular Disney characters.
As with every trend started by the few, bell bottoms quickly became mainstream and stayed popular through the disco days of the '80s, disappearing for a while before a reappearance in the '90s cut as a denim jean.
Favorite jewelry styles in the 1990s included many big, bold pieces and more feminine and delicate design motifs. For example, chokers, arm cuffs, hoop earrings, and chandelier earrings were eye-catching, but hearts and butterflies were popular on charm bracelets or pendants.
Slip dresses, bomber jackets, scrunchies and plaid flannel shirts were all the rage during the '90s — and many of these fashion trends are working their way back into vogue (although some of these pieces may have never left your closet).
By the 1990s, acrylic nails were a staple spreading to pop culture; this was largely due to Black influences during that time.
In the '80s, cargo pants were used in regular outdoorsy fashion. They grew in popularity during the '90s and 2000s as a part of Y2K fashion.
The cargo skirt is all about comfort without compromising style. Our favorite it-girls in the 90s showed us that almost anything goes with a cargo skirt. They don't have to be heavy either; many are made out of nylon and can be layered over leggings in the cooler months ahead.
They were largely an underground trend in the early 1990s, but took off in popularity in the mid-1990s. The baggy jeans were very popular along with baggy bondage pants during the nu metal era which lasted from the late 90s to the early-to-mid 2000s along with pop punk during the same time.
Channel authentic 90s grunge by throwing on baggy ripped jeans, a graphic tee and checkered flannel. Wear bike shorts, track suits, and colorful windbreakers to really run head first into a 90s sporty vibe. Don the denim—mom jeans, low rise jeans, denim overalls, and denim jackets were all the rage.
A: A classic 90s makeup look often features thinly plucked eyebrows, matte brown or mauve lipstick with visible dark lip liner, frosted eyeshadow, and matte foundation. The eyes often had smudged black or brown liner, while cheeks remained neutral with minimal blush.