If you were old enough watch sitcoms in the ’90s then you will definitely have stolen one or two great (or not so great) looks from popular characters. As we know, fashion trends come and go, sometimes for the better and sometimes not. Sometimes they are just waiting to make their grand return decades later, bringing with them a wave of nostalgia and questions like “why did we ever wear that?” ’90s fashion trends have made a comeback in the last few years, having us dig out our cropped tops and high waisted jeans.
To honor past fashion trends, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the best, and worst, outfits worn by the cast of a classic ’90s sitcom: Dawson’s Creek.
Best: Overalls
If there is one piece of ’90s clothing that will never go out of style it’s overalls. Not only are they extremely easy to style with just a plain tee or long-sleeved top (or a cropped top if you feel brave enough!), they also give you that ultimate casual, effortless look that just makes you feel good. As Joey Potter demonstrates in the above picture, overalls are also a great work outfit. Paired with a classic bandana and pigtails and you have the quintessential ’90s teenager look.
Worst: Patterned Shirts
The ’90s had some questionable trends, to say the least. Although one can’t explain other people’s tastes, we have seen our share of clothing raising the question: who thought that was a good idea?
Pacey Witter’s unconditional love for patterned shirts is definitely in the above category, particularly when said the patterned shirt is short-sleeved and paired with a colored long sleeve tee underneath. This combination should never have been made in the first place and hopefully won’t be sneaking back into the new decade.
Best: Sleeveless Tops
Sleeveless tops were all the rage in the ’90s, and the characters of Dawson’s Creek were seen wearing various styles throughout the series. Of course, the one that stands out is Jen. Michelle Williams’s character was a lot bolder than other female characters in terms of her fashion choices, probably due to the fact that she was from NYC. Her clothes often made her appear to be a lot older than her friends. The combination of a slick, asymmetrical shoulder bob with a dark sleeveless turtleneck gives an instantly grown-up look that is already making a comeback today.
Worst: Satin Dress
Even if we decide to brush over the poor choice in colors, there is still so much that is wrong with these prom outfits.
Anyone who has ever worn satin knows that however good it may feel on your skin at first, it is not worth the many, many annoying things that come with it. Sure, it’s all smooth and nice to the touch but satin has no stretch, it’s staticky, it’s way too warm and no one wants to sweat through their prom, and seriously, what’s with the shine?
Best: Denim Jacket Oversized
Another classic ’90s piece of clothing that is always a hit is a denim jacket. Want to take it to the next level? Make it oversized!
Joey Potter started off as a bit of tomboy in the series and she showcased many different styles of denim jacket, all of which we can still people wearing nowadays. One can never go wrong with a good old oversized denim jacket.
Worst: Layered Flannels
Dawson’s signature piece of clothing is undeniably a flannel shirt. Plaid shirts have never really gone out of style, and for good reason. They are super easy to style, on both men and women, they work wonders with a good pair of jeans but for some obscure reason, the ’90s had our beloved plaid shirts worn open, over high neck t-shirts and that just seems wrong. Layering is great, but what is the point of a shirt on top of a t-shirt?
Best: Crop Tops
Crop tops are everywhere nowadays. You simply can’t miss them whether you look at red carpets or just everyday looks, it seems that everyone has at least one lying around in their wardrobe.
Their omnipresence makes it easy to forget that crop tops are nothing new on the fashion scene and have been around for well over two decades now, going all the way back to the late ’80s. It’s no surprise to find the ladies of Dawson’s Creek wearing their own versions of this timeless yet perpetually changing trend.
Worst: Colour Combinations
Beyond some peculiar choices in terms of fabric, patterns and overall cuts of some pieces of clothing, the ’90s had an odd relationship to color pairings. The ’90s’ motto seemed to be “if it can be worn, just wear it.” This gave us truly poor outfit choices as seen above. It’s hard to tell what clashes the most here between the baggy dark blue jeans, khaki brown jacket worn by Joey, or Jen’s beige jacket and indigo blue pants. Oh, and don’t forget that sneaky touch of a third color peeking from under the jackets, that’s the real winner.
Best: Miniskirts
The concept of miniskirts started in the ’60s (at least in western culture) when women decided to follow British designer Mary Quant and gave themselves the right to express their freedom. Since then, miniskirts have been a staple in women’s culture. Their style has been reinvented countless times over the years.
Of course, the ’90s couldn’t pass on the opportunity to add their touch. Whether it is jeans skirts or patterned, miniskirts were everywhere, including in Dawson’s Creek and we can thank Jen for many an amazing outfit inspiration.
Worst: Patterned Sweaters
The cast of Dawson’s Creek has worn far too many patterned sweaters and cardigans throughout the series, but some were worse than others. Nothing wrong with a good patterned top. However, there is a difference between a good, coherent pattern and the sort of random, over the top patterns and colors that were often donned in the ’90s. That bright red cardigan is all sorts of wrong, particularly paired with that plaid skirt and grey woolen tights. Oh, and don’t forget that lavender shirt playing peekaboo, too.
