Ultimate ’90s Jeans Guide: Style Tips & Trends
Dive into the timeless charm of ’90s denim and discover how to weave the classic yet bold styles of the past into your modern wardrobe. We’ll uncover the secrets to picking the right cut of ’90s jeans for your body type, mastering the art of high-rise and baggy fits, and striking the perfect balance between throwback cool and contemporary chic. Whether you're looking to emulate the effortless style of the decade's icons or mix a touch of nostalgia with today's trends, join us as we navigate the celebrated comeback of ’90s denim with Johnny Was’s denim collection. Let's embrace the rebirth of this iconic fashion era with style and confidence!
The Timeless Appeal of ’90s Denim Jeans
For those of us of a certain generation, it’s a startling reality check to think of ’90s era fashion as vintage. But twenty-five-plus years on, they most definitely are—and they’re seeing a major resurgence. From mom jeans and ’90s boyfriend jeans, to loose-fit and baggy, to wide-leg, bootcut, and flare styles, the looks of the ’90s have been fully embraced by fashion labels, and that includes Johnny Was! We love a vintage-inspired moment, and we’ve leaned in with our new JW signature denim collection, incorporating ’90s-inspired silhouettes and colors.
The denim of the ’90s ranged quite a bit. Most broadly, ’90s washes ran the gamut from light to medium-wash indigo and black. But bright colors, bleached, and acid-washed denim also played a role. Classic medium-wash denim was favored in the early ’90s by celebrities like Cindy Crawford and Princess Diana, who wore them in a high rise with a tapered leg, paired with tailored blazers. This style is affectionately referred to as the mom jean today.
As the decade moved on, mid-rise became more dominant. On shows like Friends, stars Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox wore mid-rise relaxed fit straight-leg styles. At the same time, the grunge and hip hop movements were influencing denim to go baggier and lower-slung and distressed—and in the case of hip-hop, also colorful! The decade ended with stars like Britney Spears helping to usher in the age of the low rise jean. From low-rise jean shorts to low-rise bootcut jeans, waistlines had dropped dramatically by the turn of the millennium.
Choosing the Right ’90s Jeans for Women
With so many styles of ’90s jeans available, it may be difficult to decide which is the best fit for you to personally revive. Here are some helpful guidelines.
1. Find a Jean Style By Body Type
Loose-fit straight-leg and tapered styles are quite versatile across all body types. However, baggy and wide-leg jeans are a style that can easily overwhelm more petite frames and should be balanced with more fitted tops to avoid this issue. Bootcut and flared jeans can be especially flattering on plus size or hourglass shapes. And be sure to add heels or platforms to any pants with a wide hem to make your legs look a mile long.
2. Decide On a Flattering Jean Rise
Another important consideration in your choice of jeans is their rise. Higher rises, which are defined as being 10 inches or more, can emphasize the narrowness of the waist and make you appear taller. Low-rise jeans, typically measuring 7-8 inches, can give the illusion of lengthening the torso and emphasizing the hips. Low-rise jeans can be a great choice for women with an inverted-triangle body type (smaller hips than shoulders) and rectangular body type. Mid-rise is considered anywhere from 9-11 inches and is considered a universally flattering fit.
3. Select a Jean Based On Your Style
Of course, you’ll want to consider the occasion as well as your personal style in choosing a denim silhouette. Baggy and lighter wash styles tend to look more relaxed and trendy, while more fitted and trouser styles in darker silhouettes can look more polished and classic. Boot-cut and flares give more of a retro vibe, and can be dressier or not depending on the wash. For an occasion such as a casual brunch outfit, you might try our Johnny Was Melanie jean. Its lighter wash and wide leg give off a more laid-back vibe, and with its contrasting tuxedo stripe, it doesn’t need more than a simple camisole and sandals to look perfectly put together. For an evening out, by contrast, our Milan is a classic mid-rise bootcut in a more dressed-up dark wash—perfect with heels or boots and an embroidered top.
4. Shop From Quality & Modern Jean Brands
Finally, most of us will also want to consider the issue of comfort in choosing a pair of jeans. Thankfully, with the exception of flares and bootcut jeans,’90s denim jeans are known for having a more relaxed and comfortable fit. When you try on ’90s denim, there should typically be some roominess in the hips and thighs—and a bit in the waist, as well. That’s especially important to remember with denim lines that are working with 100% cotton fabric. Many ’90s revival styles have zero stretch built into the jeans, so you’ll need some roominess to feel comfortable. That said, there are also denim designers making ’90s style denim in fabrics that contain some stretch—Johnny Was being one of them. Several of our silhouettes contain 1-2% elastane, for that extra bit of comfort.
Mixing Vintage with Modern: High Rise Flare Jeans and Bootcut Jeans
High rise flare jeans and bootcut jeans are the perfect retro nod to the ’90s and the ’70s before them, infusing your look with a boho feel. To keep your look modern, choose boho tops and accessories that lean a bit contemporary to balance things out. Think clean lines or a minimalist sensibility.
To balance out retro-feeling high rise bootcut jeans, try pairing them with a solid fitted tee or tank. If you want to choose something patterned, avoid leaning too retro in your choice of print. A platform or heeled shoe is a great choice with this style of pant, as it will elongate the leg beautifully, and thick-soled and platform shoes are also seeing a ’90s resurgence at the moment. Finally, you can opt for jewelry with simple lines and an organic feel to walk the perfect line between modern and retro for the flawless modern boho ensemble.
Contemporary boho style icons can also be helpful inspiration in crafting the perfect ensemble. Celebrities like Nicole Richie, Florence Welch, Zoe Kravitz, and Rachel Zoe have long been known for their modern boho fashion sense. These icons share a love for romantic bohemian looks that incorporate high rise bootcut jeans and flares, lush prints, organic materials like leather and mixed metals, and texture like ruffles, fringe, and fur. But most key in keeping it modern, as we’ve noted, is that they always mix vintage with more clean-lined, modern pieces for a look that never feels one-note.
How to Style Baggy ’90s Jeans for Today's Look
For those looking to incorporate the baggy '90s jeans look into their wardrobe, there are a few styling tips to keep in mind. One of the most basic rules of thumb is that you’ll want to keep the look well-proportioned. You can do this by wearing something more form-fitting or cropped on top, so that your shape doesn’t get swallowed.
Wearing a belt can also help define your waist, and if you’re going to layer, keep these same proportion ideas in mind—you can wear a cropped trench coat or cardigan, for example, which are both on trend this spring. In terms of footwear, a casual look with sneakers is classic ‘90s, and a platform pair is both retro and of-the-moment. Chunky boots are also a great choice that walk the line between retro and now.
Looking to dress up your baggy jeans look? Proportion is still the name of the game. Define your waist with a body suit or more form-fitting top. Add a boho jacket like a cropped blazer or leather jacket to dress up the outfit. As for footwear, just as emphasizing your waistline can help create definition, showing some of the foot can help, too. Opt for a strappy heel to show some of the foot and also lengthen the look of the leg. Alternatively, a pointy-toed boot can also serve to create a longer line with a baggy jeans look.
Embracing the Legacy of 90s Denim in Modern Fashion
The denim trends of the 1990s have had a profound and lasting impact on contemporary fashion, showcasing the cyclical nature of trends within the industry. The '90s saw the rise of iconic denim styles, and thirty years on, it’s an exciting time to embrace them in a new and modern way. At Johnny Was, we’ve taken some modern liberties with our '90s inspired denim, as in our Sydney cropped wide legs in pink and sage green. The advent of ’90s boyfriend jeans is similarly a blending of trends from different decades.
Incorporating '90s style denim into your wardrobe will be personal and individual for everyone, and the best way to figure out how you want to wear it is to experiment. Try on different vintage styles. Blend vintage pieces with your current wardrobe pieces to find looks that feel like you. Remember that accessories can really make a difference in helping a look come together.
In all of this, remember to have fun. The '90s were a time of joyful experimentation in denim fashion, and we’d love to help you find the perfect vintage style for you. Explore the world of Johnny Was denim, boho clothing, and accessories for more inspiring retro looks.