Side Part. The '90s side part is forever—no matter what anyone says. When properly styled (aka both polished and effortless), side-parted hair communicate the same careless cool as their more centered sister style.
Side parts are a mainstay of 1940s and 1950s glamour, so it comes as no surprise that film stars often favour the look when it comes to red carpets.
In the mid-1980s and through the mid-1990s it was common to see women of all ages from girls, tweens, teens, college and beyond wearing high ponytails or high side ponytails held with a scrunchie.
Of course, there are many other popular styles like pigtails, bob, pixie, bangs, flips, and more that were seen on celebrities and fashion icons of the time. Hair accessories were also hugely popular in the 90s, think scrunchies, claw clips, and colored clips.
There wasn't just one look that defined the'90s. “The short cropped bob, voluminous, bouncy blowouts, long hair with blunt ends and face-framing layers, sleek updos with face-framing pieces, and voluminous bombshell updos with face-framing pieces were all popular during this time period,” says Marjan.
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.
'Friends' debuted in 1994 and the straight hair of Jennifer Aniston, who played the character Rachel, was an instant hit with salons being inundated by women asking for a 'Rachel cut'. It remained one of the most popular cuts for a decade, taking over from the curls that were popular in the previous decade.
Bouncy curls, feathered bangs, and crimped waves were all options when going for volume looks. More relaxed '90s hairstyles featured middle parts, straight hair with curled ends, and messy buns.
The new wave and heavy metal fashion of the 1980s lasted until 1992, when Grunge and hip hop fashion took over in popularity. By the mid-1990s the grunge style had gone mainstream in Britain and the US, and was dominated by tartan flannel shirts and stonewashed blue jeans.
Butterfly Clip
The Butterfly clip in the '90s was just an easy way to get that long hair out of your face while you waited for your dial-up internet to load (if you don't know what that is, consider yourself lucky). Its purpose has remained the same since although some have been featured on the runway very recently.
The way supermodels and celebrities wore their headbands in the 1990s rarely strayed off course. The standard formula? Hair down, a touch of volume near the roots, and a headband nestled close to the hairline — not far off from how we're seeing tastemakers wear the accessory in its 2024 renaissance.
Characterized by maximum volume at the roots and a “done-but-undone” glamour, the new '90s blowout is all about effortless glamour that looks just as at home on the runway as it does at happy hour. And more importantly, you can finally run your fingers through your hair with ease.
Pigtails were one of the trendiest hairstyle go-tos during the 90s. At least, in part, because of Britney Spears and her iconic "Baby One More Time" video. We're here to tell you that pigtails are cool again! Whether in the form of ponytails or french braids, this 90s hair trend is back.
It wasn't that long ago that Gen Z declared the side part makes you old. Now, it's making a comeback. Side parts had joined the likes of skinny jeans, no-show socks and other defining factors that declare someone a millennial — but the hairstyle seems to be resurrected, with many celebrities sporting the 'do.
Although the side ponytail started in the 1980's, it was still a favourite in the 1990's too.
After years of the side part being dubbed "uncool," the look is having another moment in the spotlight in 2024 with stars like Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Eva Longoria sporting the style at recent events — and the switch-up is good news for your hair.
While the 90s was host to a wide range of different fashions, some are more notable and distinct than others. Cargo pants, baggy clothing, flannel shirts with ripped jeans, and crop tops all take the lead for the most popular 90s styles.
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).
'90s fashion for teens
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.
Thirty years ago, in 1994, the biggest fashion trends were denim, velvet, and animal print. Kate Moss nailed the "model-off-duty" look, and jeans were a style staple. Red-carpet looks were noticeably more casual than the glamorous and out-there looks of today.
Wisps of Hair & Semi-Cornrows
One of the most popular 90s hairstyles is having semi-cornrows. Complete this 90s look by adding in butterfly clips at the ends. Pair the semi-Cornrows with pieces of your hair hanging out and suddenly you are rocking a hair wisp. You can also add spikes as well for 90s grunge hairstyles.
In the '80s, big hair was not only a status symbol, but also allowed women to take up space, Rachael Gibson, who runs the account The Hair Historian, told the outlet. It was a statement and, especially for artists in the limelight, “filling the screen with your hair felt like quite a power move,” she added.