Children of the ’90s, take heed. Your formative years may be as far gone as Walkman tape players and Britney Spears’ bubblegum-pink image, but the glory of the ‘90s is trending again. Equipped with Dr. Martens and Lisa Frank merchandise, fashion is reviving all the trappings of a gnarly generation.
If there is ever a time for a ’90s comeback, it’s now. Urban Outfitters released a limited edition line of retro Lisa Frank merchandise in October of 2012, charming buyers with nostalgic whimsy. For those who can’t recall, the confectionary, psychedelic cartoons were the face of every folder and Trapper Keeper of the decade. If you didn’t own a Lisa Frank backpack, the kid who sat next you at lunch certainly did.
A limited time offer, the resurfacing of this major ’90s fad was prophetic for fashion.
Now “Doc” Martens, the messiah of ’90s grunge footwear, are hitting the pavement like it’s 1995. The wide-toed industrial boots were originally taken up by British skinheads in the ’60s as a revolt against propriety. They have since been regarded as symbols of subversive youth in revolt, and not since the angst of the ’90s have these boots been considered high fashion.
The oversized boot has taken a trendy turn following several designer debuts for spring 2013. Most recently, British icon Agyness Deyn has released her own line of designer Doc Martens that is already appearing in department stores here in the U.S.
’90s apparel has not been this mainstream since Furbies came in Happy Meals.
Riding on the shirt tails of teen rebellion from the ’80s, the decade was a step even further away from normalcy. The freak was unleashed. The entire decade was disheveled and dressed in defiance of fashion itself. To be trendy in the ’90s was to be deliberately and earnestly unfashionable.
The glorification of gaudy became the brainchild of grunge. The look was leisurely and attainable; oversized sweaters, androngynous clothing, maxi dresses, denim jackets, massive band shirts, long skirts, shapeless crop tops, chambray button ups, leather, high-waisted shorts, flower child glasses and distressed jeans.
Tough, oversized boots and shoes accompanied all non-outfits. Doc Martens earned their rightful place. The look was an artfully crafted disregard for appearing the slightest bit interested in, well, anything.
This style may strike you as familiar, because chances are you’re wearing it.
