A ’90s Girl’s Childhood Fashion Icons: TV Edition
- Anna Crandall
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
It seems like there isn’t a day that passes without a mommy blog posting about the dangers of raising your kids with screens. From a millennial raised by television, a clunky Dell desktop, and my loving mother, let me tell you: I’m mostly fine.
Sure, the women that raised me have shaped me into the lady I am today, but I have to admit that most of my fashion choices – good and bad – are heavily influenced by late-90s and early-00s television heroines. Without further ado, here are a few of my favorite leading ladies and some of their best looks.
Please note that several important influences are not mentioned, namely Cher Horowitz from “Clueless” because she deserves an entirely separate article.
Rachel Green from “Friends”
I never watched “Friends” regularly as a kid; I didn’t get the humor. I remember catching snippets of it at my cousin’s and friend’s houses. While I wanted Phoebe’s blonde princess hair, it was Rachel’s fashion and infamous haircut that captivated me. The ’90s are back, kiddos. Well, maybe not tank tops over baby t-shirts (please, dear God, no), but plaid skirts? Denim shirts? Semi-unironic overall shorts? Please, hand them over.
Topanga Lawrence from “Boy Meets World”
Topanga’s hair, y’all! She did that Pomeranian puppy half-up, half-down look way before Ariana Grande did. I mean, Ariana was still a baby, so we can’t fault her for not being original. Topanga taught me that any button up shirt can be cute if you tie the bottom. In an era of crop tops and low-waisted jeans, Topanga continued to rock the infinitely more flattering high-waisted look. Thanks, Topanga.
Lizzie McGuire from “Lizzie McGuire”
I don’t care what your gender is– if you try and tell me you didn’t think Lizzie McGuire was the coolest girl out there as a kid, you’re lying. So maybe the curled/crimped/straightened all-at-once hair isn’t in style now, but it totally was. Remember that one episode where she had her rebellious phase? Butterfly clips and fluffy headbands on point, Lizzie.
The Girls of “Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century”
With a killer neon color palette and a perfectly spunky best friend, Zenon wins all the awards for futuristic self-expression. All I ever wanted to be as a kid was an independent 21st Century Girl.
Hannah Montana from “Hannah Montana”
I’m completely convinced that the costume designers at Hannah Montana single-handedly brought back high-waisted skirts. In 7th grade, you were only as cool as how many cropped sweaters you owned. Extra points if your t-shirts had rhinestones on them. Extra extra points if you had a pointless belt worn over your shirt.
Rory Gilmore from “Gilmore Girls”
"Gilmore Girls” had some hits and misses with its fashion, but I have to say that it wasn’t Britney Spears who made me want to wear a schoolgirl uniform. Nerdy, I know, but Rory and Hermione Granger were my academically-minded study buddies in my daydreams. Uggs with a Chilton uniform never seemed so cool. Maybe it’s because Alexis Bledel is literally a model, but she looked great no matter what she wore.
Buffy Summers from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
I don’t know how one girl can balance vampire slaying, having an amazing wardrobe and, let’s not forget, amazing hair. Buffy taught me that women can truly have it all – looks, smarts, and the ability to kill swiftly. Wait, what?
