25-04-2025
10 fashionable '90s TV shows to inspire your wardrobe
2. 'Sex and the City'
While the show didn't hit screens until the tail end of the decade, its fashion impact was immediate. Styled by Patricia Field, Sex and the City turned Manhattan into a runway. Carrie Bradshaw's tutu, Miranda's power suits, Charlotte's chic co-rds and Samantha's bodycon dresses weren't just clothes—they were statements. It redefined how women saw themselves through fashion, mixing high-end with vintage and encouraging experimentation before social media made it mainstream. 3. 'Beverly Hills, 90210'
Few shows mirrored the glitz and polish of early '90s West Coast wealth quite like Beverly Hills, 90210. From Donna Martin's bubblegum pinks to Brenda Walsh's biker jackets, the show cycled through every trend the decade had to offer. Its influence stretched beyond teenage viewers—designers began creating 'TV-ready' looks that nodded to the show's blend of mall glamour and preppy polish. 4. 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'
Bold, oversized and unapologetic, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a masterclass in '90s streetwear. Will Smith's loud prints, inside-out blazers and high-top trainers captured a generation moving away from traditional prep and toward something more expressive. Meanwhile, Hilary Banks gave us designer-obsessed maximalism. Think Chanel suits, wide-brim hats and bold colour-blocking, all served with socialite flair. 5. 'The Nanny'
Fran Fine's looks were deliberately over-the-top, and it worked. Clad in Moschino, Versace and Betsey Johnson, she turned bodycon dresses, animal prints and statement blazers into sitcom staples. Costume designer Brenda Cooper used fashion to reflect class dynamics and character development, making The Nanny a surprisingly nuanced study in fashion storytelling. 6. 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'
Buffy Summers didn't just slay vampires, she did it in knee-high boots and leather trousers. While the show leaned into California casual (cropped tops, flared jeans, choker necklaces), it also played with darker motifs. Gothic flourishes and utilitarian pieces mirrored the supernatural themes, long before 'dark academia' became a Pinterest category. 7. 'Charmed'
The Halliwell sisters made witchcraft look pretty. Shifting from flowy bohemian skirts to sleek early-2000s tailoring, Charmed tracked a real evolution in late '90s fashion. It wasn't afraid to mix lace with leather or pair ethereal pieces with combat boots—proof that magical realism and modern dressing can coexist on screen. 8. 'Melrose Place'
If Friends was about comfortable chic, Melrose Place was its glossier, sharper cousin. Think power shoulders, silk blouses and body-hugging dresses. Its characters were older, their jobs more corporate and the wardrobe choices reflected a more calculated sophistication. The show helped normalise the idea that officewear could be fashion-forward rather than just functional. 9. 'My So-Called Life'
Grunge was more than just a '90s musical movement, it was also a fashion category that resonated with the youth. Angela Chase's checked shirts, oversized knits and clunky boots were emblematic of a shift toward introspective, anti-glamour dressing. While the series was short-lived, its aesthetic endures, especially in today's revival of thrift-led, personality-driven style. 10. 'That '70s Show'
Though set two decades earlier, That '70s Show premiered in 1998 and fed directly into the '90s obsession with retro fashion. Flared jeans, crochet tops and fringed jackets became must-haves again. The show didn't just depict vintage, it repackaged it for a generation looking backward to dress forward.
