If you’re heading to a 90s-themed party, we have the best 90s fancy dress ideas that you can recreate easily. The 90s were a blend of grunge, hip-hop, and pop culture, with celebrities like Kurt Cobain, Britney Spears, Tupac Shakur, and the Spice Girls setting trends. If you’re unsure how to assemble your look or which men’s or women’s 90s fancy dress ideas to try, we’ve compiled a guide to help you dive into the world of plaid, denim, and everything 90s! Choose from typical 90s fashion or dress like one of the iconic 90s celebrities or film and TV characters, there’s so much choice!
Essentials of a 90s fancy dress women’s costume
When considering 90s women’s fancy dress ideas, the era’s fashion was a vibrant mix of grunge, pop, and casual chic. Here are some key elements to include:
- Plaid and flannel shirts: A staple of the grunge movement, oversized plaid shirts capture the essence of 90s fashion. Wear them tied around the waist or as a loose layer over tees for an authentic grunge look.
- Crop tops and high-waisted jeans: Crop tops were a defining trend of the 90s, often paired with high-waisted jeans or skirts. This combination offers a blend of casual and chic, perfect for a 90s-themed event.
- Denim overalls: Overalls, particularly with one strap undone, provide a classic 90s casual look. They were often worn with a simple tee or crop top underneath.
- Slip dresses: For a more feminine and glam touch, opt for slip dresses. These were frequently layered over basic tees or turtlenecks, embodying the decade’s playful approach to fashion.
Top 90s accessories to complete the look
- Chokers and hoop earrings: Velvet or lace chokers and hoop earrings were essential accessories that added a touch of 90s flair to any outfit.
- Scrunchies and bandanas: Use scrunchies or bandanas to create quintessential 90s hairstyles like ponytails or buns.
- Platform shoes: Chunky platform shoes or sneakers were a must-have, completing the 90s outfit with a bold statement.
- Hair clips: Claire’s Accessories was a very popular shop in the 90s thanks to its wide array of hair clips and accessories. These are perfect for making an authentic-looking 90s fancy dress outfit for women.
Essentials of a 90s fancy dress men’s costume
For men’s 90s fancy dress, consider these iconic elements:
- Baggy jeans and windbreakers: Baggy or ripped jeans paired with colourful windbreakers capture the 90s street style, reflecting the era’s casual and laid-back fashion sense.
- Band t-shirts: Authentic 90s men’s fashion often included t-shirts of popular bands or hip-hop artists, adding a touch of musical influence to the outfit.
- Bomber jackets: Bomber jackets, especially in satin or adorned with sports logos, were a popular choice, adding an athletic and stylish edge to 90s men’s fashion.
How to accessorise 90s outfits for men
- Bucket hats and sunglasses: Bucket hats and round sunglasses are key for achieving the 90s look, offering a blend of style and functionality.
- Sneakers: Classic 90s sneakers like Air Jordans or Converse are essential to complete the look, embodying the decade’s love for iconic footwear.
- Chain necklaces: Adding a chain necklace, particularly a chunky or oversized one, can enhance the 90s vibe. This accessory was a staple in both the hip-hop and casual fashion scenes of the decade.
- Crossbody bags: A practical and trendy accessory, crossbody bags, especially those with bold logos or in vibrant colours, were popular in the 90s. They add a functional yet fashionable element to the outfit.
These ideas for 90s fancy dress for both women and men showcase the decade’s diverse fashion trends, from grunge to pop culture, offering numerous possibilities for creating an authentic 90s look.
Famous 90s fancy dress ideas inspired by 90s icons
For a 90s-themed fancy dress, here are some 90s iconic figures from the decade and expanded tips on how to emulate their style.
Pamela Anderson (Baywatch)
Capture Pamela Anderson’s iconic Baywatch look with a red one-piece swimsuit, complemented by a blonde wig and lifeguard accessories like a whistle or a buoy. Her glamorous style also calls for bold, dramatic makeup, embodying the quintessential 90s beach babe look, perfect for women’s 90s fancy dress ideas.
Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
Emulate Kurt Cobain’s signature grunge style with an oversized flannel shirt, distressed jeans, and a vintage band tee. Add a messy hair wig and round sunglasses to complete the ensemble. This look is a great representation of men’s 90s fancy dress, reflecting the era’s grunge music scene.
Spice Girls
Choose from the Spice Girls’ distinct styles – sporty, baby, ginger, scary, or posh. Incorporate platform shoes, mini dresses, and signature hairstyles like space buns or high ponytails to nail their iconic pop group look. This group costume idea is perfect for 90s fancy dress women’s themes.
Britney Spears
For a Britney Spears look, recreate her schoolgirl outfit from “…Baby One More Time” with a plaid skirt, white shirt, and cardigan, or the red latex suit from “Oops!… I Did It Again.” These outfits are ideal for 90s women’s fancy dress, showcasing the pop princess’s influence on the decade.
Tupac Shakur
Channel Tupac’s hip-hop style with a bandana or backwards cap, oversized baggy jeans, and a gold chain. Add a graphic tee or a denim jacket for an authentic 90s rapper look, a popular choice for 90s men’s fancy dress.
The Fresh Prince (Will Smith)
Replicate Will Smith’s colourful style in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air with vibrant, patterned shirts, baggy jeans, and a flat-top haircut. This look is a fun and lively option for 90s fancy dress men’s, capturing the sitcom’s iconic fashion.
Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green in Friends)
Emulate Rachel’s trendy 90s style with a mini skirt, tights, and a sweater or a sleeveless turtleneck top. The iconic ‘Rachel’ hairstyle, with its layered and highlighted look, is essential for this 90s women’s fancy dress idea.
Winona Ryder
Winona Ryder’s 90s style can be recreated with leather jackets, black tights, and combat boots, often paired with a simple t-shirt and minimal makeup. But don’t forget the pixie crop (pictured above). Although Winona has lots of hairstyles and plenty of times where it was much longer, the pixie is iconic of her style in the 90s. This look is perfect for women’s 90s fancy dress, reflecting the decade’s alternative fashion trends.
These expanded style tips for 90s-themed fancy dress capture the essence of the decade’s fashion, offering a diverse range of options from grunge to pop culture icons.
90s film characters to inspire your fancy dress costumes
For a 90s film character-themed fancy dress, here are some iconic characters from the decade and expanded tips on how to assemble their look:
Neo (The Matrix)
Embrace Neo’s iconic look with a long black trench coat, a fitted black shirt, and black pants, symbolising the cyberpunk aesthetic of the film. Complete the ensemble with black combat boots and round sunglasses. This outfit is perfect for men’s 90s fancy dress, capturing the essence of 90s sci-fi cool. If you don’t want to spend a fortune or can’t be bothered assembling your own outfit, you can rent a Neo costume from Mad Hatters Fancy Dress (shown above).
Cher Horowitz (Clueless)
Cher’s style is the epitome of 90s teen fashion. Choose a yellow plaid skirt and blazer set, paired with a white shirt and knee-high socks. Accentuate the look with 90s accessories like a pink fluffy pen and a large cell phone prop, ideal for women’s 90s fancy dress.
Forrest Gump
For a simple yet memorable costume, wear a white short-sleeved shirt, red shorts, and a red baseball cap. Carry a box of chocolates to embody Forrest’s charming and naïve persona. This costume is a great example of 90s fancy dress men’s outfits, reflecting the decade’s popular culture.
Edward Scissorhands
Create this look with a black leather outfit, wild black hair, and makeshift scissor hands. Use face paint to mimic Edward’s pale complexion and scars, perfect for a 90s fancy dress costume that’s both gothic and poignant. You can get a pretty (or scarily) good Edward Scissorhands men’s costume from Smiffys, as shown above.
Jack and Rose (Titanic)
For Jack, opt for a simple 1910s style suit, while Rose’s outfit can be an elegant period dress. Enhance Rose’s outfit with accessories like a necklace to represent the Heart of the Ocean, making for a romantic and iconic 90s fancy dress couple idea.
Mia Wallace (Pulp Fiction)
Mia’s look can be recreated with black trousers, a white shirt, and a black bob wig. Red lipstick and a fake cigarette are essential to capture her cool and mysterious vibe, a classic choice for 90s women’s fancy dress.
Sarah Connor (Terminator 2)
Embody Sarah Connor’s tough look with a black tank top, cargo pants, combat boots, and dark sunglasses. Add a toy gun as a prop to complete this strong female character’s ensemble, ideal for women’s 90s fancy dress ideas.
Wayne and Garth (Wayne’s World)
For Wayne, wear a black t-shirt, jeans, and a Wayne’s World cap. Garth’s look includes a band t-shirt, ripped jeans, and glasses. Wigs to mimic their hairstyles are crucial for this humorous and nostalgic 90s men’s fancy dress duo.
These 90s film character costumes offer a diverse range of styles, from the grunge and gothic to the glamorous and romantic, reflecting the eclectic spirit of the decade. Whether you’re attending a themed party or just love the 90s, these ideas will help you relive the magic of the era with confidence and fun. If you’ve not found THE outfit for you, why not try a different decade? Here are some great 80s fancy dress ideas to take a look at.
Last Updated on December 4, 2024
Published on January 10, 2024
