Your favorite ’90s trends are back and better than ever.
Fashion is totally buggin’ this fall. Find influencers and runway models alike throwing it back 30 years and donning silky satin dresses, Mary Jane stompers and oversize flowers (we see you, Chanel). To boot, a slew of celebrity style icons (see: Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer, Julia Roberts and other leading ladies of the ’90s) are even rocking ’fits better than the sitcom TV reboots (!). Whether you lived through the decade or wished you did, the ’90s revolutionized fashion—and, clearly, continues to have an impact on styles today. Here, we delve into the trends making a comeback and where to find them.
Tiny Sunglasses This style’s so bright we gotta wear shades! Summon your inner Rachel Green by parking your specs on the very end of your nose with a dark-hued outfit to match. Slay!
Floral Bucket Hat Floral and funky? It’s no fashion flop. Missy Elliott has always had supa dupa fly fashion, but her iconic bucket hat is likely her most popular accessory to revive.
Wide-Leg Jeans Calling all skinny-jeans wearers! This just in: Trendy jeans are only getting wider (sorry ’bout it). Commit to the ’90s look by grabbing a pair a bit too long and pairing with chunky kicks—you’ll be totally trippin’ in the best way.
Satin Slip Dress It’s giving Cher a la Clueless. This light and easy dress can be glammed up with heels, or channel street-style swagger with a pair of sneaks. We love the versatility!
Platform Mary Janes Take your style to new heights—literally—via chunky platform heels. Level up your look even further by pairing with fun tights for work or a night out, or wear over frilly crew socks for that kitschy Full House look.
Flare Capri Pants Add some, ahem, “flare” to your ’fit and pair these capris with a formfitting tee and a pair of platform flip-flops—Sarah Jessica Parker would be beyond proud. Bonus: Flares are a must-have transitional piece as the weather gets cooler.
Flower Choker Everyone from Kendall Jenner to Matilda Djerf to Harry Styles is hopping on this whimsical trend feat. chokers flaunting every size of flower—from petite blossoms to enormous blooms. The bigger the flower, the bigger the statement!
Fanny Packs The pack is back! This hip trend is making quirky cute again… but this time with a twist. Wear the OG “fanny pack” diagonally around your body for ultimate convenience—and to avoid looking like a child.
Biker Shorts No, you don’t need to be a biker to wear biker shorts. The trend—originally made famous by forever fashion muse Princess Diana—is just as appropriate for lounging in an oversize sweater as it is paired with a blazer. Lady Di approved!
Celebs, influencers and TikTokers alike are sporting the “no-pants” trend. … We weigh in.
Would you go pantsless to the grocery store? A bar? Your office? (Hey, most of those public signs just say “no shirt, no shoes, no entry”—nothing about no pants!) Respectably, we say you probably shouldn’t leave the house in just your underwear, but celebs and influencers tend to disagree. You might’ve seen the likes of Hailey Bieber, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Bella Hadid, and others traipsing through the streets—and on runways—in nothing but an oversize top/jacket and a pair of shoes, spurring the no-pants trend that’s taken over your social feeds as of late. The look toes a fine line between sultry and modest—but ultimately leaves little to the imagination. Of course, there are more reserved ways to pull off the trend (which we’d highly recommend, esp if you’re going to try it at work). Here, some inspo from local boutiques.
Oversize Blazer + Heels Shop the Trend:Voda Boutique Back in Business blazer romper, $112
Ready to suit up? OHM Fitness, a group fitness studio specializing in wearable tech workouts—with electrical muscle stimulation!—is bowing in three Triangle locations, the first of which is slated to open in Raleigh. Say ohm! @ohmfitnessstudios
Got skillz? Book a class at Sk1ll Fitness Studio—which made its debut in April—for a slew of ops for your sweat sesh: indoor cycling, cardio, Pilates, dance aerobics. Step this way! @skillfitstudio (Sk1ll Fitness Studio)
These boots are made for walking… and that’s just what they’ll do. Slip on a pair of Tecovashandmade cowboy boots over at the Texas-based shop’s forthcoming North Hills locale. Yeehaw! @tecovas
Hey, sis—ready to slay? We can’t keep quiet aboutHUSH, a luxe salon now open in Smoky Hollow that’ll have your hair, lashes and brows on fleek. Pop off! @hushraleigh
Find flower shop Golden Florabudding its business via grab-and-go bouquets for weddings, events or whatever you’re feelin’ like nabbing flowers for. There you grow! @goldenflorashop (Caitlyn Frank)
Pet parents, rejoice! Local vet Dr. Stephanie Call is opening a new veterinarian hospital in Apex this June in partnership with GoodVets. It’s sure to be doggone great. @good.vets (RWE Design Build)
The winter blues are no match for spring’s hottest hues.
Fashion is feeling blue this spring (!). Recent runways and collections saw a variety of shades and hues—from denim duds to cozy robin’s egg pieces to vibrant bright blue details. Here, some local must-have blue selects. Get ready to spring forward—in style!
Bubble-Sleeve Floral Minidress Florals for spring (in the season’s hottest color, natch)—groundbreaking, indeed! Bubble sleeves and a bodice smock up the fun factor and create unique dimension. Shop the Trend: fab’rik, @fabrikraleigh
Crossbody Bag Stylish storage? Yes, please! Especially when its a shiny enamel-finished faux leather purse complemented by gorgeous gold-toned hardware—aka the perf balance of edgy and chic. … And the added crossbody strap allows you to bop around town hands-free. Convenient fashion FTW! Shop the Trend: Madison, @madisonraleigh
Cotton Scarf This all-in-one scarf, shawl and blanket is ideal for those chilly spring NC evenings—or for when you’re jet-setting off on vacay (we all know how freezing airplanes are!). Consider it a must-have for your spring break trip. Shop the Trend: Fifi and Talbot Boutique, @fifiandtalbot
High-Rise Trousers If you despise jeans, you’re gonna wanna add these bright slouchy pants to your rotation. They’re fun yet classy, making them perfect for the office—and post-work happy hour, obv. Shop the Trend: Uniquities, @uniquities
Flowy V-Neck Blouse We’re all about letting it flow this spring! A royal blue top is guaranteed to grab attention in a sea of your standard spring pastels. Shop the Trend: C.T. Weekends, @ctweekends
Bubblegum Bodysuit Bodysuits are guaranteed to be a staple in your spring wardrobe. Their versatility makes them perfect for dressing up or down, and they can be styled in a variety of ways—paired with a flowy skirt for a night out or a casual pair of jeans. Shop the Trend: Vestique, @vestiquecrabtree
Midiskirt Midiskirts are having a revival. The trendy hem length is arguably the most comfortable, as it’s not too short that you’ll have to worry about pulling your skirt down every 15 seconds, and not too long that the hemline grazes the ground and gets dirty after one wear. Shop the Trend: Voda Boutique, @vodaboutique
Beaded Bracelet These handstacked resin bracelets—available in a variety of colors, including cobalt and light blue—instantly evoke scenes of dreamy destinations like Morocco, Mexico and Bali. NTM they’re great for layering with other gold-toned bracelets. Bring on the bling! Shop the Trend: Ella Collective, @shopellacollective
Oversize Romper It doesn’t get more comfy than this oversize cotton romper. The best part? It has pockets (!). Consider it your spring weekend uniform—perfect for lazing around the house. Shop the Trend: The Flourish Market, @theflourishmarket
Fringe Sneaker These shoes were made for making a statement! Smooth leather and fringe details add much-needed flair to any outfit—whether casual or dressy. Stepping up your sneaker game has never been easier. Shop the Trend: Monkee’s of Raleigh, @monkeesofraleigh
No need to blush… the Triangle’s first female-focused pretty-in-pink 11,000-square-foot coworking space with childcare (!) is now open. With an MO of connecting women to a safe, inclusive work environment, Blush Coworkalso feats a female-authored library, private and semiprivate offices, conference rooms, an outdoor patio, and more. #GirlPower! 201 Shannon Oaks Circle, Ste. 102, Cary
Next time you pack your bags, make a STATEment with SCOUT Bags’ functional and fashionable STATEment Collection (launching April 8) feting “the special places SCOUT’s customers live, love, visit and long to return to.” Debby’s Hallmark Shop, PaperBuzz; scoutbags.com
OK, bloomers! DTR’s houseplant hot spot is expanding (!) to offer over 1,800 square feet of houseplants, supplies and plant-adjacent gifts. We’re rooting for Urban Pothos phase two to open early April. Can you dig it? 714 W. Peace St.
Don’t know what to do with yourshelf? Styron & Hughes has just what you’re looking for with monthly shopping experience for timeless high-end home decor and furniture at discounted prices. Think Restoration Hardware, but more affordable. Don’t miss the April sale dates—April 23 (in person) and April 24 (online)! 6702 Old Wake Forest Road
If you heart tattoos, check out Joe Almquist’s new DTR studio a few blocks from Dix Park. Featuring some of Raleigh’s most sought-after tattoo artists, Eye Heart Tattoo is making its mark all over Raleigh(ites). 430 S. Dawson St.
Botox will never make headlines (get it?) but Blue Water Spa’s—voted the best medspa in NC—brand-new second location in Brier Creek totes is. Treat yo’self to Botox (natch), laser hair removal, lash lifts, chemical peels, facials and more. 4205 Corners Parkway, Ste. 110
Just in thyme for spring (!), Copperline Plant Co.owner/founder Anna Grace FitzGerald is planting her budding biz in a new brick-and-mortar nursery opening soon near City Market. So—rooting her efforts to supply local green-thumbers with all you need to spruce up your space. 300 Blake St.
Work hard, play hard! A collaborative real estate-centric workspace, The Work Hall by Monarch Realty Co. offers flex/coworking ops, private offices, meeting spaces, and other benefits and amenities—fit for freelancers, startups, brokers and everyone in between. 213 Fayetteville St.
