Fashion styles in the 1990s were characterized by a variety of loose and tight-fitting styles influenced Hollywood actors such as Claire Danes and Drew Barrymore, television and movie characters such as Hilary Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and musicians such as Janet Jackson, Lauryn Hill, and Outkast. Clothing styles popularized by these icons included everything from straight-leg jeans with Doc Martens and a graphic t-shirt, to cuffed high-waisted shorts with a simple striped shirt and vans, to slip dresses with a matching choker and kitten heels. Although West Springfield students did not quite go to such stylish extremes on a day-to-day basis, opting for milder and syncretic versions of popularized styles, their daily dress took on aspects of popular styles.

Female Clothing

In the early 1990s, name-brand sweaters and turtlenecks were in demand and collared shirts and sweaters were favored as a part of the preppy movement. The mid-1990s saw an anti-conformist rampage, predominately by teenagers, as seen by the rise of grunge looks. While some modeled fitted jeans and simple t-shirts, others wore loose jeans, flannel, and dark-colored accessories. Low-rise, high-rise, and Capri pants were very popular among young ladies. Doc Martens were very popular shoes during this time.  

Female Hairstyles

Female hairstyles underwent a dramatic shift during the 1990s. At the beginning of the decade, long hair with short feathered bangs was a favorite look. 

When the television program Friends became popular in the mid-1990s, actress Jennifer Aniston's short haircut became extremely popular. They style became known as "Rachel Hair," after the name of Aniston's character on the series.

Male Clothing

During the 1990s, denim jackets and tight-fitting pants gave way to new styles freshly inspired by the grunge and hip hop music scenes. Flannel shirts and darker colors were a favorite of young men during this era. Tattoos and piercings starting breaking the surface during this time as well, and baseball hats worn backwards soon followed. That being said, wearing a comfortable crew neck or a t-shirt with the logo of your favorite band paired with jeans was a fairly standard look throughout the decade.

Male Hairstyles

At the beginning of the decade, the "preppy" look held sway, although some young men still favored the long hairstyles inspired by 1980s metal bands.

Within a few short years, the popularity of grunge, American punk, and hip hop / rap music, dramatically influenced new and varied looks. The undercut was a popular style, stylized with excessive hair gel and a few strands of hair dangling in the face.

Created by Tiffany Etesam, Caroline Wittich, and Elshadai Melkam, WSHS Applied History, Classes of 2018 and 2019