1990s in fashion

For the majority of the decade, 1990s fashion in Europe, Oceania, Asia, and America was defined by a return to minimalist fashion contrasted to the more elaborate and flashy trends of the 1980s. One notable shift in the western world was the mainstream adoption of tattoos,body piercings aside from ear piercing and to a lesser extent, other forms of body modification such as branding.

In the early 1990s, several late 1980s fashions remained very stylish among both sexes. However, the popularity of grunge and alternative rock music helped bring the simple, unkempt grunge look into the mainstream by 1994. The anti-conformist approach to fashion led to the popularisation of the casual chic look; this included T-shirts, jeans, hoodies, and sneakers, a trend which continued into the 2000s (decade). Additionally, fashion trends throughout the decade recycled styles from previous decades, notably the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Due to increased availability of the internet and satellite television outside of the United States, plus the reduction of import tariffs under NAFTA, fashion became more globalized and homogeneous in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Beginning in 1997 and continuing into the mid 2000s, Southeast Asian and Indian fashion began to influence and gain greater recognition from the global media due to the establishment of the Fashion Design Council of India, and the hosting of India Fashion Week in Delhi. Inspired by Bollywood cinema and a resurgence of interest in 1970s fashion, designers in India adapted and repurposed the saree, churidar and kurta into the Anarkali ballgown from the early 1990s onwards. By the late 1990s, kurta tunics were turned into short dresses, and Manish Arora designed garish Hindu "God printed T shirts" for both locals and global tourists. British, Asian and American designers also incorporated ethnic chic cloth such as khadi, paisley, silk or Indonesian Batik into Western inspired clothing patterns such as shirts and blouses featuring traditional embroidery. These clothings were worn not only by the immigrant Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Indian diaspora in Britain, but also by many non-Indian women.

...
Wikipedia