“Have you seen my ChocolateBeanie?” And Other Important 90s Revival Questions.
The 90s were back with a vengeance at Fashion Week last February, and it looks like a revival is about to hit us smack between the eyes.
“Oh God! Help me!” you may be thinking. However, don’t be afraid, and don’t go frantically trawling through endless style mags looking for the 90s ‘look’. Just breathe, turn on the gogglebox, and gawp yourself some REAL inspiration from these original (and v. funny) sources.
1. Spaced.
Spaced
You lucky people. The most excellent ‘Spaced’, written by and starring Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, is rerunning on More4 at the moment on Sundays at 11:40pm. Watching it is like taking a big dose of tasty 90s medicine (even though Series 2 actually first aired in 2001).
For the best and most endearing representation of the 90s club scene (and associated trends), watch Series 1 – Episode 6, in which Twist wears fairy wings, Mike throws shapes to the A-team theme song, and Tim’s (Simon Pegg’s) ‘bleached-geek-with-a-beanie’ look makes perfect, beautiful sense.
Quote:
Tim – “Have you seen my Chocolate Beanie?”
2. Jonathan Creek.
Jonathan Creek
Yes, really – that magical crime drama starring Alan Davies and Caroline Quentin. JC was actually an incredibly well-styled show, with hotties popping up everywhere sporting the sexy 90s glam-girl essentials: short skirts, bright, block colours and lashings of lippy and nail polish. (And of course, there was Jonathan’s grunge-tastic duffle coat. Grrr.)
Quote:
Adam Klaus – “Red shirt, black skirt and jacket. Can we do that?”
(Yes, Adam. Yes, we can.)
3. Friends.
Friends
‘Friends’, (the first 6 seasons anyway,) is a walking, talking 90’s fashion plate, and constantly re-running on E4 so turn it on for a mo and have a quick look. The show epitomises the super-casual, effortless-cool look that came to characterise the decade. And it didn’t just follow fashion, it CREATED fashion – remember ‘The Rachel’?
The ‘Rachel’
Well, perhaps you don’t, but it was the most popular haircut of the era, inspired by Jennifer Aniston’s slick do in the first and second series.
The clothes in ‘Friends’ covered a lot of ground, from the comfy grunge look to the ultra glam, they showed off some really interesting apparel.
There was quite a trend at the time for trying to invent new garments – or new ways of wearing old garments – and this is coming back in style a wee bit now.
Be on the lookout for dungaree-dresses, shorn off jeans and sleeveless jean-jackets, overalls worn as trousers, slip dresses worn over t-shirts, all-in-ones, rompers and super-smart culottes (skirt-shorts) worn instead of office skirts (yes, really. You never know what might come back from the dead when a revival is on).
Nineties fashion liked to surprise, and subvert the form – always provided, of course, that you kept things subtle and ultra laid-back at the same time. Casual was key. Trying too hard was a big no-no… and so Eighties. Dude, please.
Quote:
Monica – “Hey! Where’re you heading in those pants? 1982?”
4. Sex and the city.
Sex and the City
The first series of SATC was all about the 90s. Everything in it is as classic and neat and bright as a boiled sweet – typical 90s aesthetic visual style. Series 2 is also brimming with 90s fashion treats. If you have a moment, dig out the box set, give it a watch, and revel in the old glory days when Miranda still wore power suits and Carrie was still a little bit grungy-hip. Go on. You’ll like it.
Quote:
Carrie “What is it about God and Fashion that goes so well together?”
5. Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Four Weddings and a Funeral
– No joke. I’ll never forget Scarlet’s thrift-store tangerine-flame cocktail dress, accessorised with the lilac sash and geek-shades, or Fiona’s black, vamp tank-top with that fantastic gold arm bangle. Yowzer. Pop down to Blockbuster and settle in for an evening of fashion research. But don’t get over excited and try and copy Andy McDowell’s huge black hat. No-one needs that much hat.
Quote:
Gareth – “Scarlotta! Fabulous dress! The ecclesiastical purple and the pagan orange symbolising the mystical symbiosis in marriage between the heathen and Christian traditions?”
Scarlet – “ ’S right.”
Happy viewing.
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