'90s Basics Are In For 2024: The Must-Have Pieces To Pull Off The Look

Despite the emergence of specific maximalist trends like chaotic cluttercore and the leopard-print-clad mob wife aesthetic, minimalism has proven to be a fashion phenomenon with staying power. Stemming from a New York City-based art movement in the 1960s, minimalism in fashion rose to prominence in part because it was a way for designers to simplify women's wardrobes, stripping back ultra-feminine details and instead focusing on the basics. In 2024, the trends are zooming in on one of the most well-known eras in which minimalist staples formed the pillars of the fashion world and an era that those of us who are old enough miss dearly: the '90s. 

Nostalgic crazes from the decade of "Clueless" and The Spice Girls have dipped in and out of fashion in recent years, but 2024 is about the era's basics in particular. "I believe we will move into an '80s [to] '90s look somewhat adjacent to quiet luxury," Vogue's Jenny Walton told Glamour. That means we're taking the must-have capsule pieces from every it-girl's '90s collection and using them to build new 'fits — those that seem chic and contemporary but actually rely on wardrobe essentials that have been around for over two decades, from your trusty neutral blazer to a trans-seasonal cardigan. 

Every decade has its own jean trends, and in the '90s, the go-to was high-waisted and wide-legged. It's worth investing in a good-quality pair of these bad boys because you can build endless looks around them for both day and night events, and they'll instantly channel Rachel Green (pre-Season 6 of "Friends," that is). Bonus: high-waisted jeans elongate your silhouette, so they're a great choice for shorter gals looking to add some height to their look.

So basic and yet so useful, the slip is a must-have '90s essential. It's easy to keep things minimal with a slip since even dresses in bolder colors remain subtle due to their simplicity. But go with black, white, or another neutral tone, and you'll have a basic you can wear again and again without detection. On its own, the slip is a perfect ode to understated '90s fashion, but you could also create an entirely new look with layers. 

A tailored blazer is a staple of quiet luxury fashion and power dressing, but this piece will also help you to embody a basic '90s look. You can dress it up by pairing it with matching high-waisted pants or make it a casual affair with a pair of jeans. Either way, go for muted shades so you can match your blazer with a wider range of outfits and keep the look forever subtle. 

A basic denim jacket might not be an officewear must-have, but this casual piece of outerwear will always give your look the '90s touch for errands and other events. To keep it a basic that you'll always get wear out of, avoid distressed details, cropped jackets, and oversized boyfriend jackets. Both light and dark denim can work, though a light-wash option will give a more retro vibe. Throw it over your slip dress, or double-denim it up with your jeans. 

Who would have thought that dad sneakers would become the style du jour of the 2020s? Before Kim Kardashian rocked the Balenciaga version, chunky sneakers were a hit in the '90s. And as we've seen in contemporary times, they count as a wardrobe essential because you can wear them with anything, from jeans to a power suit to a miniskirt. The only rule here is to stick with clean, neutral colors. As much as we love a neon-green sneaker, basics should work together to build an outfit quietly rather than stealing the show with a statement. 

The streamlined alternative to bulky sweaters, cardigans were a '90s essential right through the year, whether you wanted something light to cover your shoulders in summer or were layering under a thicker winter coat. There are infinite ways to wear a classic cardigan, from buttoned up and tucked in to loose and flowing. The beauty of wardrobe basics is that they're meant to be worn frequently, so you can experiment with how you rock your cardigan to evoke your personal style.