The Nineties

URBAN OUTFITTERS vegan moto jacket

ARITZIA sweater

WOLF print scarf (similar here)

MICHAEL KORS faux leather and twill pant (similar here)

JUICY COUTURE chain-link bracelet

ALL SAINTS 'mom' leather boot (with calf hair here)

The nineties was the era of the slacker and group pop bands, grunge and chunky heels. Now, less than twenty years down the road we are seeing the styles of this time reemerge as inspiration for the winter wardrobes of both men and women alike. The true grunge style of the era consisted of tattered, wrinkled, layered and oversized pieces, and was a sartorial representation of nihilism that developed among members of a new fringe alternative rock scene.  

But the runways have been showing more of the decade than just the fashions associated with grunge. Have you noticed the resurgence of ‘JuJu’ Jelly shoes? Or that thick soled, almost orthopedic looking footwear are all the rage again? And what about those Dr. Martens? I know I will be kicking myself for letting my mom throw out my and my sister’s pairs back in the day. I still love those chunky lilac colored boots with the distinct yellow stitching. But not only are 90s inspired shoes taking a toll on our bank accounts this year, styles such as slinky Posh Spice-esque spaghetti-strap dresses, crop tops similar to Kelly’s from Saved by the Bell, and Johnny Depp type moto jackets worn during his time dating Kate Moss, are also taking up real-estate in our closets. 

To be honest, I could go on and on about all the fashions of the era making a comeback today, but who really wants to read it. I thought, instead, I would show how styles worn by some of the most iconic men and women of the time are perhaps even more relevant in your closest today. I have also styled my personal outfit around my 90s inspired ‘mom leather boot,’ as I call them, and a vegan biker jacket (similar to Drew Barrymore’s). These ‘mom’ boots are my favorite purchase in a long time. They can be worn anytime, whether it is casually during the day with a boyfriend jean or dressed up at night with tights and a high-waisted, flared mini. 

I will finish off this fashion blog post with a revelation for all those 90 kids out there. Did you know that Space Jam had a Pulp Fiction reference in it? During the movie, Yosemite Sam and Elmer Fudd, sporting black suits, shoot out the teeth of one of their opponents during a basketball game. As a kid, I naively assumed that they were emulating the scene in Men In Black (which didn’t come out until the next year). However, the black suits, white shirts, black ties and poses were in fact a tribute to the classic movie, and one of my personal favorites, Pulp Fiction, directed by Quentin Tarantino. To see the clip from Space Jam click here. 

Off the Wall

URBAN OUTFITTERS flannel

GOLD skinnies (similar here)

COLLAR (cool and reasonable option here)

VANS Chukka Low

DREGS longboard

Vans is more than just a shoe company; it’s a lifestyle. Since the mid 1960s the action sport brand has fueled the renegade skateboard culture and other adrenaline driven junkies. The bond between brand and consumer arrived from being the first skateboarding company to sponsor athletes, who had both talent and colorful personalities, and giving them the power to help design the products. This served to heighten the authenticity of the Vans brand by giving the culture that they are targeting, ownership in the creation of the brand. The shoe named ‘the Era,’ designed by professional skateboard Tony Alva and skateboarding figure Stacy Peralta, became the iconic shoe for riders due to its superior grip on the board.

Vans continued to strengthen their lifestyle brand by focusing on integrating the brand into the skater’s lifestyle rather than trying to push the lifestyle onto the skater. As Vans CEO Gary Schoenfeld told Inc. magazine, “Kids don’t relate to direct hard-sell advertising. They see through a company that’s just spending a lot of money to attract their attention. Our strategy is to integrate ourselves more into their lifestyle” through events and concerts with extreme sports. By sponsoring events such as the “Warped Tour,” an extreme sports and musical festival, and opening skateboard complexes with Vans stand-alone stores across America, Vans is intertwining their products into the regular activities of their customers.

Cult brands, such as Vans, achieve a unique connection with customers, and are able to create a consumer culture that people want to be a part of. Personally, I am motivated by an aesthetic like the style curated at Vans that is developed from the countercultures of the past and that supports the countercultures of the present. Vans footwear and apparel reference a culture of youth in our history who resisted the socially accepted norms of the time. But not only are Van’s unfailing designs celebrating times of liberation in our past, they are also encouraging youth to be ‘Off the Wall’ by releasing themselves from the social constraints of today.

During this shoot, my photographer brother, Matt, and I went downtown London, Ontario and found this amazing mural, done by a local artist, that captured the colors of my Vans inspired outfit. This outfit can be used as inspiration for both men and women since 2/3 of the outfit is purchased from menswear sections.  I have found some great menswear pieces lately, and although the pieces are rather large, this season, oversized is encouraged. So ladies, embrace the chance to expand your options. 

For the men reading, take note of the rich, autumn colors as seen in the shirt and shoes (both from the men’s section) for this season. Also, instead of wearing a graphic tee with these casual vans, try mixing it up with a buttoned up flannel shirt, un-tucked, and add a chunky watch from a company like Nixon.

Xo

cee.staf