15 ’90s Fashion Accessories That Won’t Make a Comeback
These accessories may be rich in nostalgia, but not in style, comfort, or common sense.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
The 1990s were a wild ride in fashion experimentation, from the flashy to the bizarre. While some trends have made successful comebacks, others are best left as relics of their time. The accessories listed above remind us that just because something was once cool doesn’t mean it still belongs on our bodies.
1. Wallet Chains
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Once a staple for skaters and nu-metal fans, wallet chains clinked their way through high school hallways. They were meant to keep your wallet safe but mostly just made sitting uncomfortable. Unless you’re starring in a Limp Bizkit revival tour, this one can stay in the drawer.
2. Inflatable Backpacks
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These colorful plastic backpacks looked like pool floats strapped to your shoulders. They deflated over time, both literally and fashionably, and often ripped under the weight of just one book. They were fun for a second but not functional or flattering in hindsight.
3. Tiny Sunglasses with Tinted Lenses
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They didn’t really block the sun, but they sure made a statement in red, blue, or lime green. Made popular by The Matrix and pop stars, these sunglasses gave off cyberpunk vibes but were mostly useless. Fashion has thankfully returned to frames that actually protect your eyes.
4. Mood Rings
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Everyone had one, and everyone believed (or pretended to believe) they worked. In reality, they were just cheap thermotropic liquid crystals in metal settings that turned your finger green. The mystique is gone and so is the need to wear your “feelings” on your hand.
5. Plastic Tattoo Chokers
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These black stretch chokers hugged every teen’s neck in the mid to late ’90s. While they tried to scream edgy rebellion, they were more like temporary accessories from a Claire’s bargain bin. They’ve had brief moments of irony-driven resurgence, but the novelty has worn thin.
6. Fuzzy Bucket Hats
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They were soft, colorful, and mostly seen on girl groups or in the pages of Teen People. These hats kept your head warm but did nothing for your outfit’s dignity. Think of it as wearing a stuffed animal on your head — and not in a cool way.
7. Velcro Wallets with Cartoon Logos
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From Looney Tunes to Rugrats, these wallets screamed “elementary school lunch line.” The loud Velcro rip could be heard across the room, announcing your financial transactions in the least discreet way possible. You’re better off with leather now.
8. Slap Bracelets
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They were banned in schools for a reason. What started as fun quickly became annoying, then painful, then torn apart to reveal sharp metal strips. Nobody over the age of ten misses these wrist hazards.
9. Platform Flip-Flops
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A strange hybrid of beachwear and high fashion, these clunky sandals made walking a balancing act. Popularized by Buffy the Vampire Slayer types, they gave height at the cost of ankle stability. Most people don’t want to risk a rolled ankle to relive that look.
10. Jelly Bracelets
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Worn by the dozens, these thin rubber bands in neon or glitter were cheap and often had questionable rumors attached to them. They’d break, stretch out, and cut off circulation if worn too tightly. Not exactly a timeless accessory.
11. Body Glitter Gel
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Who didn’t smear a pot of sticky shimmer across their arms before a middle school dance? It looked magical under gym lights, but the aftermath was greasy, flaky, and impossible to wash off. Glitter is fun, but nobody wants to feel like a disco ball.
12. Stick-On Face Gems
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Seen mostly on pop stars and girls trying to look like pop stars, these adhesive rhinestones were all sparkle and no sense. They rarely stuck for long and often fell off halfway through the day. Glitter glue is not skincare.
13. No-Finger Gloves with Fishnet Arms
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Part goth, part rave, these accessories looked cool in Hot Topic catalogs but strange anywhere else. The look aged quickly and now feels like costume-party territory. Unless you’re in a ‘90s-themed band, best leave these in the drawer.
14. Bandanas Worn as Shirts
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One square piece of fabric, folded creatively and tied in the back, was considered a top. They barely covered anything, slid out of place easily, and made sitting or moving a calculated effort. It wasn’t fashion, it was fabric origami with wardrobe malfunctions.
15. Butterfly Clips (Worn Excessively)
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Yes, a single clip can be cute, but we’re talking dozens of tiny plastic butterflies scattered all over your head. They were fun for a while but not practical, and they snagged hair more often than they looked good. Unless you’re headed to a ’90s nostalgia party, best to let them fly away.