Fashion
30 Pop Star Outfits that Defined the '90s — Thanks, Beyonce, For Making Halter Tops a Thing
Though the '90s were renowned for grunge, minimalism, and mini skirts, the profusion of pop stars made their sartorial mark as well. Who would have thought to tie their shirt tails into a fetching knot before Britney Spears debuted the look in the video for her hit Baby One More Time? For her part, Christina Aguilera contributed the hypnotically printed trouser pants and crop top combination with a becoming bandana tied in her hair. From platforms to pleated skirts, here are 30 pop star ensembles that defined the '90s fashion scene.
Christina Aguilera's White On White Ensemble
The monochrome trend — specifically white on white — skyrocketed in the decade, goaded by Christina Aguilera’s halter and low-slung jeans in “Come On Over (All I Want Is You)”.
Image: CAguileraVEVO/YouTube
Mandy Moore's Techno-Chic Getup
The wearable tech trend saw one of its premiere iterations in Mandy Moore’s “Candy” video, consisting of a pastel-hued walkman, a tank top, and slit maxi skirt.
Image: MandyMooreVEVO/YouTube
Britney Spears' School Girl Uniform
School uniforms became significantly less banal with the addition of cropped shirts and feathered scrunchies after Britney Spears sported the look in her “Baby One More Time” video.
Image: BritneySpearsVEVO/YouTube
Christina Aguilera's Fringed Crop Top And Jeans
Crop tops and halters with beaded fringe just above the waist line were simply the It Item of the ’90s, prompted by Christina Aguilera’s selection in “Genie In A Bottle”.
Image: CAguileraVEVO /YouTube
Britney Spears' Platforms And Metallic Top
The decade of grunge also inspired many to grow several inches in order to appear more outré and modern with the help of platforms like Britney Spears’ in “(You Drive Me) Crazy”.
Image: BritneySpearsVEVO /YouTube
Britney Spears' Embroidered Capris
Embroidered capris have not graced the streets of New York City since the ’90s, but during the decade Britney Spears popularized the twee style in her video for “From The Bottom Of My Broken Heart”.
Image: BritneySpearsVEVO /YouTube
Britney Spears' Duster
If you sported a thinly knit duster with your bell bottom jeans in the ’90s, thank Britney Spears, who first made the bohemian pairing in her “From The Bottom Of My Broken Heart” video.
Image: BritneySpearsVEVO /YouTube
Britney Spears Futuristic Silver Ensemble
Conceived in such music videos as Britney Spears’ “Born To Make You Happy,” the Millennium’s metallic infatuation continued well beyond the turn of the century.
Image: BritneySpearsVEVO /YouTube
Christina Aguilera's Tie Dyed Tunic
Tunics swept the nation in the ’90s, in no small part due to one tie-dyed, fuchsia version which appeared in the video for “Genie In A Bottle”.
Image: CAguileraVEVO /YouTube
Christina Aguilera's Parachute Pants And Beaded Top
Parachute pants may not have been the most logical or flattering choice for most in the ’90s, but such trivial concerns didn’t stop Christina Aguilera from sporting a pair with a jauntily beaded top in her video for “Genie In A Bottle”.
Image: CAguileraVEVO /YouTube
Christina Aguilera's Leather Trousers And Suede Jacket
Born of the same fundamental concept as the Canadian Tuxedo, the suede-on-leather look became a national sensation after Christina Aguilera’s performance in “What A Girl Wants”.
Image: CAguileraVEVO /YouTube
Beyonce's Triangle Halter Top And Matching Trousers
Triangle halter tops in vibrant hues were all the rage in the ’90s, thanks to Beyonce’s cropped iteration in the group’s number “Say My Name”.
Image: DestinysChildVEVO/YouTube
Beyonce's Printed Mini And Matching Choker
Destiny’s Child may be credited with the popularity of complementary ensembles and corresponding chokers in the ’90s, both of which were on display in the group’s single “Bills Bills Bills”.
Image: DestinysChildVEVO /YouTube
Beyonce's Faded Jeans And Cowboy Hat
Music aficionados never viewed acid wash jeans and cowboy hats in the same manner post-“Bug A Boo,” thanks to one Beyonce.
Image: DestinysChildVEVO /YouTube
Madonna's Androgynous Black And White Ensemble
Again invoking the power of her renowned cone bra, Madonna made waves when she hit the stage in an androgynous black and white ensemble for her 1990 chart-topper, “Vogue.”
Image: MADONNAVEVO/YouTube
Alanis Morisette's Bleached Denim Trench
Whether you admit it or not, Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know” was on your ’90s mix tape, at the very least for those days when ranting at the world in lyrical form seemed appropriate. The tune also introduced the bleached denim trench to the fashion scene.
Image: Alanis Morissette/YouTube
Sporty Spice's Track Pants And Sports Bra
So influential was Sporty Spice, AKA Melani Chisholm’s, ensemble in the seminal Spice Girls hit “Wannabe” that athletic chic is on the trend radar for 2015. For those counting, that’s an impressive 19 years after the song was released in 1996.
Image: emimusic/YouTube
Baby Spice's Babydoll Dress
For those who preferred a softer look than crop tops and racing stripes, Baby Spice’s white babydoll dress in “Wannabe” created quite the worldwide sensation.
Image: emimusic/YouTube
Posh Spice's Minimalism LBD
Victoria Beckham debuted what was to become her signature look, in addition to a ’90s staple, with her minimalist LBD, a trend which designers from Calvin Klein to Jil Sander displayed on the runway.
Image: emimusic/YouTube
Jennifer Lopez's Black Tube Top
In addition to sporting a veil of Swarovski crystals and a pair of boy shorts with a corresponding tank top, Jennifer Lopez made waves in a black tube top with a sultry keyhole neckline for her “Waiting For Tonight” video, a style which overtook the decade on dance floors and date nights.
Image: JenniferLopezVEVO/YouTube
Meredith Brooks' Slip Dress And Combat Boots
On the flip side of Mandy Moore’s pastel tanks and Britney Spears’ pigtails were “Bitch” crooner Meredith Brooks’ edgy slip dresses and combat boots, wares which indeed confirmed she didn’t feel ashamed no matter what she sang or wore.
Image: emimusic/YouTube
Liz Phair's Layered Tees
Liz Phair’s brainworm tunes proved influential in more ways than one, not the least of which were her casually paired tees and mini skirts, as seen in her video for “Supernova”.
Image: emimusic/YouTube
Sarah McLachlan's Layered Tanks Over Tees
Sarah McLaughlin may have been renowned for her feminism in the ’90s, but her layered tanks and tees were sartorially influential as well.
Image: sarahmclachlanVEVO/YouTube
Lisa Loeb's Puff-Sleeved LBD
Puff sleeves were de rigueur in the ’90s thanks to artists like the venerable crooner Lisa Loeb, who sported a puff-sleeved LBD in her “Stay” video.
Image: LLOnline/YouTube
Fiona Apple's Shimmering Shirt And Low-Slung Jeans
Hip huggers and sparkling shirts stole the spotlight in the ’90s, as worn by Fiona Apple in her “Criminal” video.
Image: fionaappleVEVO/YouTube
Missy Elliott's Neon Tracksuit
If you owned a neon tracksuit by Juicy Couture or Adidas in the ’90s, thank Missy Elliott’s video for “The Rain,” in which the star sported lime green and yellow duds.
Image: Atlantic Records/YouTube
TLC's Black Halter Tops And Sarongs
The band known for “Waterfalls” and their usage of hyper-trendy clothing set in motion an obsession with the itty bitty black halter top.
Image: TLCVEVO/YouTube
Delores O'Riordan Of The Cranberries' Black Trench
From Sarah Michelle Gellar’s leather rendition to Delores O’Riordan’s classic version in The Cranberries’ video for “Linger,” the black trench ruled runways and the streets in the ’90s.
Image: TheCranberriesVEVO/YouTube
Whitney Houston's Suit
Whitney Houston suited up for her “I Will Always Love You” video in 1999, eschewing the romantic frills and ruffles which other stars favored during the decade.
Image: whitneyhoustonVEVO/YouTube
Mariah Carey's Slit Tank Dress
Mariah Carey may have made headlines for her infamous bias-cut red gown, but her slit black maxi dress was a head-turner — and trend-setter — as well.
Image: MariahCareyVEVO/YouTube
