How people dressed in the USSR in the 1990s, and what fashionable things from that time are in fashion again today

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Daring and baseless - this is how the fashion of the 90s is characterized, raging (you simply cannot say otherwise) in the post-Soviet space, when everyone wanted to stand out as best he could, without having any opportunity for it. This direction was never given a name, but the "fashionable greetings" of those times are now especially considered very relevant. Crimson jackets, yellow leggings and crazy waves on the hair - it seems that the fashion of the 90s opposed itself to difficult times and, thus, helping not only to express itself, but also to find an outlet.

Yes, the fashion of those years allowed everything, no one would have grabbed their hearts to see that the image combines 6-7 neon shades or, oh, horror, the makeup turned out to be too bold. “Too” is perhaps the main definition that characterizes the fashion trends of those years. Everyone dressed in whatever he could, or rather, in what he could snatch in the store, special lucky ones were brought from abroad, someone made himself. As a result, this riot of colors, directions and shapes turned out. And what to do, times were difficult for everyone. Nevertheless, a certain nostalgia now and then brings back, even those born in the 2000s, to the period when looking a little freaky was cool.

What was in the wardrobe of the first fashionistas of the USSR

The desire to possess this or that thing was also spurred on by a deficit, therefore, if among acquaintances someone appeared in this or that thing, which was the object of desire of many, then his "rating", of course, immediately increased. While the Soviet industry offered uncomplicated natural costumes made of wool, cotton and other completely natural fabrics, the inhabitants of the union themselves were hunting for jeans. This blue fabric at that time was the object of desire of all fashionistas and fashionistas.

It doesn't matter what exactly it was: jeans or shorts, skirts, shirts and even jackets, the main thing is the fabric itself. Although there were a lot of complaints against her, when “varenka” - jeans with special fabric patterns came into fashion, they literally started boiling them in almost all kitchens. The recipe was as follows: after washing, the item was twisted, tied, and then boiled in bleach or vinegar. As a result, a unique pattern appeared on the fabric. Often a label was also sewn onto such homemade "dumplings". It turned out to be a thing for the envy of others. The most coveted labels were Mawin or "Malvinki" and jeans skirts with white ruffles, they must have the Lambada inscription on them.

Irina Allegrova and other stars of the 90s had much more opportunities to replenish their wardrobe with the desired things at the height of fashion. Often, stars appeared on stage in denim clothes.

It was at that time that leggings and so-called "dolchiki" came into fashion. It is difficult to imagine that a Soviet woman would suddenly change a loose dress below the knee (as we already remember, it must be made of natural fabric) for "tights" (well, what else can you call leggings) and went out into the street wearing this. And since leggings, and flashy shades, were the subject of desire of all women of fashion, without exception, one has only to guess about the level of passion for fashion in those years. Even if it was tights, it is desirable that they be with a "twist", multi-colored or with some embellishments. Leather items were also at the peak of popularity, especially leather jackets or skirts. Leather jackets with many details, brutal and very heavy, were worn only by those who could afford it. This thing was not only rare or expensive, but also extremely obliging, even for those times.

But, perhaps, the main trend, which has simply not gone anywhere since then, is a tracksuit. It is they in their Europe who wear "sports" to the stadium or to the gym. For Russia, these are clothes for a feast, for the world and for a disco. And yes, it was good form to have a new tracksuit in stock, in case, for example, if you need to go to the hospital or go to a sanatorium. In such institutions, you can still meet touchingly cute people in new tracksuits.

While the girls were remaking old jeans into new shorts or skirts, cutting the edges of T-shirts and T-shirts into fringes, the guys were sporting sweaters with fashionable patterns, preferably tucked into jeans - this way the image turned out to be even more fashionable.

Nostalgia for the 90s: how fashion has transformed and how old images are worn now

Probably, modern adolescents, putting on belt bags, narrow glasses and hats with hard edges, consider themselves fashionable and do not even suspect that their mothers at one time already referred to this. You can find a great variety of similar "greetings", but still you should not turn the cabinet upside down in search of things that have remained there since those very 90s. Still, fashion, even if it comes back, has its own nuances. Therefore, if you want to look fashionable today, you should not remember all those frenzy with images that reigned in the 90s. Nowadays, fashion is much more demanding on details, without observing which, one can be considered rather eccentric, and not a person "in the subject."

1. PantsPreviously, there was not such a huge number of jeans models as now. There was no question of putting on skinny shoes, into which even a foot can hardly fit. Normal (in the broadest sense of the word) jeans are back on fashion catwalks. High waist, relatively high, of course, because trousers should initially sit at the waist, rather loose trousers and deep blue color - this is what replaced narrow and uncomfortable trousers that emphasize all the flaws in the figure.

Despite the fact that cycling shorts were carried already last season, leggings, including their short versions, have become very popular clothing since the time they were worn in order to attract attention.

Of course, modern flares are far from the ones worn 40 years ago. But still, for a long time fashionistas have not tried on something like that. Despite the fact that this model of trousers, which so favorably emphasizes the figure, returned to fashion catwalks several years ago, it also has echoes of the 90s.

As for sweatpants, the full 90s reign here, in terms of the fact that you can wear anything and how you want. The trendsetters have allowed to wear sports trousers even with stilettos and under a jacket for a long time, because sports trousers are the personification of ease and relaxation, which means it is quite possible to create the feeling of “wearing what has fallen out of the closet”. By the way, if earlier models from natural fabrics were more popular, now polyester is preferred.

2. Regarding skirts, then the love for denim, which apparently entered the classics, is in the lead here. Short denim a-line skirts were fashionable then and now. Moreover, slim and flared denim midi skirts have returned to the wardrobes of fashionistas. They can be with patch pockets and with a lock, voluminous folds on the belt and belt, classic five pockets and a fly.

3. Jackets and outerwear with an accentuated shoulder line and deliberately large - this is a clear reference to the 90s. Now at the peak of popularity, oversized jackets and jackets with two rows of buttons (or, conversely, on one single one). By the way, bright colors have become a necessary attribute of strict clothing again, no one will giggle into a fist when they see someone in a crimson jacket. Hanger began to return to women's outerwear, helping to create a more correct silhouette.

Denim jackets and leather jackets have firmly entered the category of classics and, perhaps, any woman has them in her wardrobe, despite her age and social status, since these things, which became part of Russian fashionable use precisely during the USSR period, can be supplemented with almost any image.

4. Accessories and footwear … This is where you can take the darling, yearning for the dashing 90s, is in the selection of parts. If you have not had time to play enough with the "new Russian" with thick chains around the neck, then now is the time to decorate your image just like that. They are worn in several rows, even if they are very massive and deliberately bright and shiny, then it's okay, on the contrary.

Belt bags and backpacks, to which the attitude in the 90s was very skeptical, they say, the former are worn only by bazaar traders, and the latter, only by schoolchildren, are now at the peak of fashion. Everyone managed to get bored with clutches, and you don't always want to carry a beautiful, but completely inconvenient accessory with you, a belt bag comes to the rescue, which come in a variety of shapes and textures and will certainly suit any look. They are worn both on the belt itself and thrown over the neck and shoulder. It fits well with the belt.

Platform shoes, which are now popular again, began to be worn in Russia at the height of the 90s. Massive sneakers and other pretentious, huge boots were then very in demand, they are actively sold now, having changed into battalions, a hidden platform, a square toe and ankle laces and an animal print. However, nothing new.

In the 90s, every self-respecting girl and girl had a variety of hair accessories. These are multi-colored voluminous hair ties and "frogs" - hairpins that were used instead of invisibility, and headbands, caps and much more. In principle, with rare exceptions, all this multi-colored splendor is worn now. Hair ties have become, perhaps, more elegant, made of viscose, silk and other smooth and noble fabrics. "Frogs" are decorated with pearls, the headbands have become deliberately voluminous, and the caps are transparent with neon shades. It doesn't matter which wardrobe item will remind you of the dear 90s, the options described above are many. The main thing is to be able to wear these attributes with a certain amount of irony and a sense of humor, especially if the thing has a clear reference to the 90s, because if anything saved the country at that difficult time, it is the ability to look at what is happening through the prism of sarcasm and self-criticism. Fashion of the 90s is a vivid example of how times and conditions of life create fashion, but the period of the pandemic will also go down in the history of fashion. trends of the coronavirus era and trends that historians will study.