The Nineties Called

Nineties Chanel was cut sharp and short, in tweed skirt suits, sequined jackets, brocade and woven tweed dresses and the vinyl Whipstitch flap. The pieces here are listed with design years from the mid to late nineties, and each one shows Karl Lagerfeld pushing the codes.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Chanel Red Vinyl Whipstitch Half Flap Jumbo, the Chanel Black & Metallic Gold Brocade Dress Set and the Chanel Pink Velvet-Trimmed Tweed Jacket.

 

I would wear the skirt suit with flat boots and a plain bag. For more of the decade's biggest ideas, see The Fashion History Edit.

The Fendi Baguette launched in 1997 and became the bag of the late nineties. It came in leather, knits, corduroy, raffia, beads and fur, and the versions here show how much range one small shape could carry.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Fendi Beige Embellished Baguette, the Fendi Beige Raffia Mamma Baguette Medium and the Fendi Navy Floral Embroidered Baguette.

 

The strap is short on purpose, so the bag sits under the arm. For the wider archive, The Fendi Archive has the rest.

Gucci's bamboo, horsebit and Boston bags and Louis Vuitton's Epi leather, introduced in 1985, were part of the nineties wardrobe even if they began earlier. The Epi bags here are glossy and bold, in Cipango Gold, red and blue.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Gucci Purple Original GG Canvas Vintage Web Boston Medium, the Louis Vuitton Blue Epi Jasmin and the Louis Vuitton Cipango Gold Epi Randonnee PM.

 

Pair an Epi bag with plain clothes and let the color work. For more Gucci, see The Gucci Years.

Chanel costume jewelry from the nineties was gold, filigree and Gripoix glass, often worn in layers, and the medallion necklaces here are dated to 1994. The pieces are bold enough to hold an outfit together on their own.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Chanel Gold Medallion Necklace Large, the Chanel Black Mother of Pearl Crystal Button Earrings and the Chanel Multicolor Resin Candy Necklace.

 

For more of this craft, see The Extraordinary Details Edit.

Wear one nineties piece with modern basics. A skirt suit with sneakers, or a Baguette with a plain coat, is plenty.

 

The decade still looks good because its best pieces were confident rather than fussy. Choose the one that makes you stand a little straighter, check the design year in the listing, and wear it like you mean it. Whatever you pick, read the listing closely and wear it often.