Urban Flashbacks.

The Nineties are a time to look back on with nostalgic fondness and a tear glistening in one eye for the good times now lost palimpsest-like beneath Primark, social networking and reality T.V.
In what has been dubbed as an organic progression from the eighties redux that has dominated fashion for several seasons now, the ‘90’s are the new decade to look to for a style reference. The early nineties in particular were a special time: the sun was setting on the bold ostentations of eighties fashion, but the dusts of minimalism and disaffected grunge had yet to settle. A happy hiatus, this was an era of unrivalled cool- people did not take themselves so seriously, and the clothes they wore were a uniform for living, ‘chill-laxing’ and the general pursuit of good times. Street fashion best characterises the style, which came box-packaged with its own authentic attitude and background music (anyone for A Tribe Called Quest? or De La Soul?). Oft times it was offensively brash and uncoordinated, but it was also seductively care-free.
It was light washed denims, plaid flannel shirts, and bright printed tees emblazoned with tongue-in cheek or musically inspired logos .Jazzy prints were clashed, leather was ( gulp) coloured and sportswear was more chic than chav. The ‘sports luxe’ trend sees this style reinvented for the 21st century- collections from Topshop Unique and Alexander Wang have recreated sweat suits and sporty body con dresses with a sexy, street-savvy twist, whilst cropped tops and fanny packs are all the rage once more. Henry Holland’s A/W10 collection could easily have been stolen from the wardrobe of characters from 90’s shows such as Moesha, French Prince and Sister Sister. Utility fashion is also back( remember combats?) and it is no longer a breach of international style law to wear denim both above and below your waist.
It is not just the fashion world that has been bitten by the nineties bug- music videos are returning to style aesthetics of the decade too- Rihanna’s Rude Boy, Sidney Samson’s Riverside and Chiddy Bang’s Opposite Adults all have a nineties street vibe to them. The Ministry of Sound has just released a ‘90’s club mix tape and all the coolest kids on the block head down to club nights celebrating the music and fashion of the era- most notably ‘Work It’ in Dalston, who have also produced a blog dedicated to all things ‘90’s. The new campaigns launched by Addidas, Nike and Footlocker have all been centred around the concepts of originality and the street- its an aesthetic that’s fresh and authentic. That urban and street styling is growing and making a comeback into the mainstream is perhaps because this is a style that is connected with living, urban spaces are the hub of modern life and culture. In some ways fashion has become a little too commercial and void of personality, because of this, the very idea of the street and the fearless attitudes associated with it offer a welcome antidote to the lull.

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