5 Ways To Instantly Look Like A '90s Supermodel
Claudia, Cindy, Linda, Naomi, Christy, Stephanie, Kate. These names immediately conjure up images of the modeling industry’s greatest.
Women who invented the term “supermodel” and evoked so much confidence and beauty that every major magazine in the '90s featured their faces on their covers. They were mysterious and unattainable, glamorous yet down-to-earth with their “found at the mall” discovery stories.
With the rise of Instagram, the world of modeling has changed and the enigma of the supermodel has lessened. Looking back to the '90s, I can’t help but feel like it was the golden era of modeling. The late 20th century seemed to be a peak in fashion history, with the industry’s greatest designers and models coming together to mutually inspire. Muses to designers like Karl Lagerfeld, Gianni Versace, John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Helmut Lang, the top models didn’t just wear fashion, they were fashion.
The recent rise of Kaia Gerber, daughter of Cindy Crawford, has resurrected the '90s supermodel nostalgia we’ve all been craving. Surprisingly enough, the personal style of '90s supermodels was so iconic that copying their trademark looks in everyday life is totally doable.
The personal style of '90s supermodels was so iconic that copying their trademark looks in everyday life is totally doable.
You heard that right! You can embody your favorite '90s supermodels in just a few steps. Here’s how:
1. High-Waisted Light Wash Jeans
Who can forget the iconic image of Cindy Crawford leaning against a Pepsi machine in high-waisted Levi’s? There’s something so simple yet so sexy about a pair of well-fitting vintage jeans. They’re comfortable, laid back, and they highlight your curves. High-waisted Levi’s were a '90s wardrobe basic, and thanks to the return of normcore fashion, they’re a staple all over again.
There’s something so simple yet so sexy about a pair of well-fitting vintage jeans.
To find your own pair of high-waisted jeans, try Madewell’s Perfect Vintage Jean or search Etsy for a pair of real vintage Levi’s. Pro Tip: always take your measurements before buying online to compare to listed measurements. Give yourself an extra inch around the waist and hips for comfort.
2. Voluminous Hair
Hair flipping comes with the supermodel territory. Who can deny feeling an extra boost in confidence when your hair is perfectly falling into place? The '90s were all about voluminous hair that never fell flat and which curled ever so slightly at the bottom. Hair that bounced with every step was practically a mandatory element of the supermodel standard.
To bring your locks to great heights and achieve '90s supermodel hair, begin by applying a volumizing mousse to damp hair then blow dry upside down. Next, put in a few large rollers and use your hair dryer again. Allow your hair to cool down for 15 minutes before taking out the rollers and spritzing with a volumizing hairspray.
3. Plain White Tee
Never underestimate the simplicity of a plain white tee – Cindy and Claudia certainly didn’t. A plain t-shirt works as a canvas for your natural beauty. It’s casual yet classic and works with anything else you pair it with. To really take on the '90s look, I recommend wearing a white tee with your high-waisted jeans. Just be sure to tuck it in! This timeless outfit will feel 2019 appropriate while harkening back to the bombshells of yesteryear.
4. Natural Brows
Before the early 2000s told everyone to tweeze their eyebrows into oblivion, natural brows were the beauty standard. Thankfully, we’ve all come back to our senses, and big brows are here to stay. By letting your brows do their thing, you allow their natural arch shape to frame your face. The results are flattering to both your eye shape and your bone structure. To really hone in on the full browed look, fill in any gaps with a brow pencil and use Glossier’s Boy Brow to keep each hair groomed and in place.
5. Oversized Hoops
Linda Evangelista famously said, “I don’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day.” Being a diva isn’t a requirement for being a supermodel, but it sure is fun pretending you’re one with a pair of dramatic hoops. Statement hoop earrings were a very popular accessory in the '90s.
Being a diva isn’t a requirement for being a supermodel, but it sure is fun pretending you’re one with a pair of dramatic hoops.
The strong silhouette evokes a feminine confidence that's versatile enough to be worn with your plain tee and jeans ensemble or with a dressier getup. Thankfully, this look is as simple as throwing on a pair of earrings, allowing us to channel our inner Linda whenever we need it.