90s STYLE IN A MODERN FIT

THE EVOLUTION OF THE 90S STREETWEAR

Forever relevant and undeniably iconic- 90s streetwear is a style that's gone through several hoops to get to where it is today. What started as a revolt against power suits and the restrictive clothing of the 80s is now dictating mainstream culture.

When it came to trends, the 90s was a wealthy era. There is something very special about a period that witnessed the end of the analog- the CDs, the blockbusters, the magazines. Several pop culture moments defined the 90s street fashion: it's a whole world on its own.

When New York sitcoms piloted a decade of casual attires, people started seeking more comfortable and flexible wardrobe staples, unlike the padded shoulders and spandex of the 80s. It was also the time when grunge fashion and music gained popularity with bands like Nirvana. This trend embraced counterculture and favored the rise of basic, loose-fitting, relaxed fits like flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and chunky 90s trainers and boots. Clueless, Friends, Seinfeld, Radiohead, Britney, Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Aniston, and Winona Ryder are some definers of the chic 90s street fashion.

We can't talk about 90s streetwear without talking about skating and hip-hop culture and how streetwear originated from it. It is characterized by casual, comfortable clothing like hoodies, t-shirts, and retro trainers. Hip-hop, with its roots in African American and Latino communities in the Bronx, immensely influenced '90s streetwear fashion and is at the center of its resurgence. This look was all about oversized clothing, baggy jeans, and bold, graphic prints. Just the term 90s hip-hop fashion will probably trigger a long list of references for anyone who grew up in this era.

While hip-hop is largely still associated with going against the norm, one cannot deny its influence on mainstream popular music and high fashion. The term streetwear transitioned from just another fashion trend to an attitude and personality in this decade. While luxury brands were initially apprehensive, they eventually reckoned with this unstoppable force, resulting in iconic collaborations. Streetwear broke down and reinvented conventional roles of luxury fashion, encouraging them to open other channels and engage with a younger, fresher, new audience.

THE 90S STREETWEAR TODAY- A TREND OR A RENAISSANCE?

What goes around comes back around, and we are now witnessing the biggest revival of the 90s classics on the streets and the runway. Today, high fashion and streetwear go hand in hand, and there's been a huge surge in the number of streetwear brands. It is not uncommon to see streetwear aesthetics on the runway anymore.

While there are too many to list down, some of the iconic styles of the time that have now returned include oversized cuts, baggy fits, puffer jackets, sportswear, cargo pants and skirts, chunky retro trainers, denim, big logos, Timberlands boots, bucket hats, luxury tracksuits, Air Jordans, minimalist and monochrome looks, and much more. There is no denying it is a moment of cultural renaissance.

What's more? These styles, mainly 90s trainers, are now being reimagined with modern technology to create a hybrid look that's both vintage and modern at the same time. This is called Heritage Tech. And these retro trainers are what you need to have in your wardrobe for that 90s aesthetic.

FOOTLOCKER PICKS- RETRO TRAINERS TO KNOW

We caught up with Jumoke, our Striper from London, to get her take on Heritage Tech. She defines the trend as a fusion of old-school streetwear fashion with a modernized take, balancing popular 90s street style with contemporary trends of today. According to her, the key to pulling off this trend lies in the combination of trainers and clothes. "Dad sneakers" like the New Balance 9060 and 530, paired with cargo pants or a nylon tracksuit, reign supreme in emulating 90s streetwear, offering versatility that easily transitions from retro to modern with a simple material swap or by embracing an oversized silhouette. Whether you are an athlete or not, everyone loves a good tracksuit and 90s-style, modern-fitted retro trainers. So here are our favorite picks of chunky Heritage Tech trainers that we think you need to cop this season: