The 1990s brought us Curt Cobain’s angst-ridden, rebellious Nirvana vibes and introduced us to Cher Horowitz’s playful, expressive Clueless fashion. These pop culture moments are just a few that influenced 90s jewelry trends, many of which have recently made comebacks. Whether you’re looking to incorporate 90s jewelry trends into your current style or you’re simply feeling nostalgic, read on for 12 jewelry trends of the 1990s.
- Choker necklaces: Choker necklaces were worn by many in the 1990s, from runway models to teens at the mall. Chokers sit tightly around the base of the neck as the name suggests, and can be made from different materials like velvet, leather, beads or metal and may include decorative elements like pendants, charms or lace. This style brought an edgier look to both casual and formal ensembles. Thought chokers were a thing of the past? As if! In recent years, chokers have been one of the biggest jewelry trends on Instagram and in Google searches. However, today's chokers have increased sophistication with added gold, diamonds and gemstones.
- Nameplate necklaces: The popular 90s nameplate necklace trend, featuring a pendant with the wearer's name or nickname, is once again gaining in popularity. Made from various materials like gold, silver, and even plastic, nameplates of the 90s tended to be big and flashy. Today's nameplate necklaces are more understated, offering a more subtle, sophisticated look.
- Hoop earrings: The 90s continued the hoop earring trends of the 70s and 80s. The hoops of decades past were typically large (even oversized) and often adorned with elaborate geometric designs or gemstones. Yes, large and chunky hoop earrings were still prevalent in the 90s; however, smaller versions shifted toward more delicate earrings, using thinner metals and more minimalist designs. Recently bubbling back up in popularity, hoop earrings are a great option for wearing anytime because you can wear them casually or when you're all dressed up.
- Bangles: Bangle bracelets were another trend that the 90s borrowed from the 80s. These bracelets are very diverse, allowing wearers to show off their unique style. While this style has been resurging in recent years, seen on the wrists of celebrities like model Bella Hadid, the trend seems to have broadened a bit. Some opt for the bold bangles of the 90s, while others choose thinner, less intricate, toned-down versions. Don’t worry if bangles aren’t quite your thing—stacking all types of bracelets makes a great nod to the 1990s.
- Mood rings: Are you feeling happy? Stressed? In love? Like a magical mood thermometer for your finger, mood rings change color based on your body temperature—supposedly revealing your emotions. For example, black and brown represent anxiety or stress, shades of blue indicate happiness and pink and purple represent romance. First appearing in the 1970s, mood rings of the 90s were typically worn by younger generations. However, this trend has transcended the generational gap, with fashionistas of all ages wearing quality, high-end versions today.
- Anklets: Anklets, a fashion staple of the 1990s, are back with a triumphant return. As the name suggests, anklets are bracelets for your ankle. Available in styles ranging from chunky to delicate, anklets splashed back onto the jewelry stage in recent years. Some, like model/influencer Hailey Bieber, have been spotted with thinner, more delicate anklets, while music and fashion mogul Rihanna goes for big and bold, even wearing a $400,000 watch as an anklet.
- Charm bracelets: The timeless trend of charm bracelets never seems to go away entirely, allowing for more personalization than almost any other jewelry type. Adorned with decorative ornaments, charm bracelets reflect personal significance for the wearer. From marking milestones and special occasions to expressing hobbies and interests, popular charms include name initials, birthstones, zodiac signs, travel destinations, hearts, pets and beyond. While this trend ebbs and flows over time, its popularity was in full force in the 90s. Today's trend leans toward daintier, more delicate charms (once again) rather than the chunky, bold charms of the 90s.
- Heart-shaped gems: Love was in the air in the 1990s, as heart-shaped jewelry was practically unavoidable, from tiny anklet charms to bigger, bolder pendant necklaces and more. If you saw the decade’s biggest film, Titanic, you may remember the gigantic heart-shaped gem Rose flung into the Atlantic Ocean at the movie’s conclusion (apologies for the spoiler alert, but it has been 25+ years!). The love-themed trend has recently resurfaced, inspiring items like bold chrome heart-shaped earrings and large necklace pendants, such as the glass heart pendant hanging from Sabrina Carpenter’s neck in the music video for her hit “Espresso.”
- Butterflies: Hearts weren’t the only design shape to dominate the decade. Fashion in the 90s sometimes made it feel like everybody was living in a butterfly garden. From clothing prints and hair clips to the title of Mariah Carey's 1997 album, butterflies were everywhere! This trend carried over into jewelry, commonly showing up in colorful earrings, necklace pendants, choker embellishments, charm bracelets, brooches and beyond. The butterfly theme has re-emerged from its cocoon, championed by celebrities like singers Olivia Rodrigo and Dua Lipa.
- Layered necklaces: Another trend that never seems to go away entirely, layered necklaces saw great popularity in the 1990s. That decade's layered necklaces often featured a dope mix of different necklace types, including delicate chains, chunky pendants and bold chokers. This trend, popular again today, embraces maximalism, encouraging individuals to layer various necklaces of different lengths and styles to create a different look every time.
- Cord necklaces: Cord necklaces were “da bomb” in the 90s, typically including a single pendant suspended from a cord. The variety of cord types spans the price spectrum, from more affordable options like thin oiled cotton and thin leather to more expensive cords made of silk, gold or silver. From TikTok® to music videos, the cord necklace trend of the 90s is making a big comeback. The aforementioned glass heart pendant worn in Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” music video? It’s dangling from a cord necklace.
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