I grew up in the 90’s

I started high school in 1997 – I was 12 years old, fresh faced and just beginning to really establish my own style and sense of who I was as a person. The Craft had come out the year before and it’s safe to say that film had a big impact on how I dressed all through high school (and let’s be honest, that witchy aesthetic is still very much my style). Now it’s 2016 and I’m 32 years old, and I’m seeing 90’s fashion back in style again. There’s a lot of plaid, chokers, double denim, Doc Martens style boots, strappy maxi dresses worn over tees, jelly sandals, crop tops and denim jackets that have made a return appearance; and some trends that thankfully haven’t (I’m looking at you, ultra thin brows); so I thought I’d pay tribute to 90’s style for NZ Style Curvettes retro week.

Layering maxi dresses over tees was all the rage in the 90’s – bonus points if it was a white tee with a strappy floral maxi. I’m not really into that kind of look now but I was definitely game to give it a go with a darker spin on things.

When I was at high school, my Doc Martens were my most treasured pair of shoes. My dad let me pick them out for my birthday, they were on special and cost the princely sum of $50 – the most my parents had ever spent on non-school shoes for me (but . Of course, being the rebel that I am, I wore them to school and somehow never managed to get in trouble for being out of uniform. I hung on to them and wore them regularly until I was 21 and then I passed them on to my friend Christina. I wish I’d kept them, because they were so comfortable!

I’m not really one to rock this look these days, but you can bet 90’s Meagan would have. These days I’m more likely to go without the tee underneath the maxi, just because I think the layering doesn’t really work. The maxi and the boots though? You better believe they’re here to stay.

Another thing that’s better now than it was in the 90’s is my confidence. I didn’t have very good self esteem as a teenager and really struggled with my body image and severe depression. Looking back, it makes me really proud of how far I’ve come, because at one point there was a time I didn’t think I’d survive the 90’s.

What’s your favourite 90’s fashion trend?
Which would you not want to see back in style?

Meagan wears:
Kate Madison Drop Hem Tee from The Warehouse (26, gifted)
Trapeeze Maxi Dress from Autograph (XL, similar here)
Limited Edition Lecester Boots from Number One Shoes (US6 M)
Xcesri Sunglasses from Farmers (gifted)

Photos: Ambient Light Photography