One thing we all know is that history and fashion repeat themselves. For instance, 20 years ago a Clinton was running for president of the United States. At the same time 20 years ago, most of the students walking around campus now had only mastered walking for a year or two. Despite that the only major concern at the time was trying to avoid naptime, 90s babies obviously obtained a deep appreciation for colorful, vibrant and statement-making threads while growing up. Now as young adults, the comeback of grunge, laid-back and baggy clothing has followed us into 2016.

Two decades ago the phenomena of hoverboards, iPads and Netflix had not been thought of just yet. Kids born between 1990-1995 remember The Sega Saturn gaming system their older siblings never let them play until they told their parents. We couldn’t instantly stream classic movies such as Matilda, Kazaam, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 101 Dalmatians or the greatest movie of all time, Space Jam, all of which debuted in 1996. Honestly, I would have preferred a hoverboard over the annoying, creepy doll craze known as Tickle Me Elmo that had our generation, and our parents, going crazy for the Sesame Street character during the summer of 1996.

Although we outgrew some of these things (except quoting Bugs Bunny and Air Jordan word for word in Space Jam), 90s fashion is something kids of the era seem to still be stuck with. Boy bands and pop girl singers were trending then, and their fashion statements were huge to pop culture both then and now. Despite not having a choice in some of the awful striped shirts we had to wear back then, years later a decade of trendy attires are a favorite style for some in an effort to be fashionably “different” or “original” today.

Evidently, people in Louisiana have a distinct appreciation for 90s apparel. According to a fashion news article in Glamour Magazine, the term “90s clothing” reached an apex of Internet popularity in early 2013, and ever since then, the number of searches for “90s fashion” on Google has skyrocketed, with the state of Louisiana taking the lead on searching the term. This is good news for us because the rest of the country probably pictures Louisianans as unstylish, camo-wearing, gun hauling water travelers.
Walking around any college campus today, you may or may not notice people wearing gear that became popular around the 90s.

Ladies are beginning to wear chokers around their necks again, a style that became really popular then for those searching for a neo-hippie, très chic look. Girls around campus have also been spotted wearing jelly sandals, called Jellies. The still-admired footwear fad came in an assortment of bright colors and was originally designed by a shoemaker in France after World War II during a leather shortage in Europe. Jellies aren’t the only nostalgic footwear popular back in the 90 that has resurfaced in 2016.

Other kicks that are back in style for both men and women are Dr. Martens boots. Most people usually wear the boots with patterned, thick socks that brings out the “individuality” theme of the 90s. Dr. Martens were and still are a major trend for those who want the baggy street wear look. Sunflowers and daisy-print clothing have also reemerged, as ladies are wearing floral skater dresses more often again.
Likewise to girls, guys are making sure the 90s vibe stays alive. Oversized flannels from the 90s grunge era have made a major comeback. It’s an effortless, stylish look that is seen everyday around campus. Today, tartan and plaid patterned flannels are sure to be seen all seasons of the year, whether worn extra baggy like Kurt Cobain or tied around the waist during the warmer seasons. Worn, vintage flannels complement another popular 90s fad, which are torn/ripped jeans. Till this day most adults just cannot fathom someone buying jeans from the store that are already “damaged,” but ripped jeans just have the rebel vibe that screams “attitude,” which matched the overall sense of the 90s fashion.

Dungarees/overalls, chain wallets, Starter windbreaker jackets, reef sandals, vertical-striped Tommy Hilfiger and Polo shirts, matching Adidas track sweatsuits, crop tops and many more minimalist-styled attire may last another 20 years thanks to a generation of kids stuck reminiscing a golden era for fashion.

Fashion surely repeats itself, and although a lot of things have changed since the 1990s, 90s babies are making sure that the fashion trends we grew up loving never fade away.