15 Forgotten Clothing Stores from the ’90s Malls
For malls, the 1990s were the golden age, being home to many trendy clothes stores. Offering anything from casual wear to more edgy, young designs, many of these stores helped define the fashion trends of the decade. However, many of these classic '90s stores quietly vanished from the mall scene as fashion tastes evolved and shopping patterns changed.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
Many clothes stores that came to define the fashion of the 1990s emerged from the mall culture. Many of these once-popular stores closed as trends changed and online buying changed the way consumers shopped. This article travels down memory lane revisiting 15 clothing stores that were mall mainstays in the 1990s but have since closed. Though they are no longer open today, these stores—from eccentric boutiques to brand-name stores made a lasting impression on the fashion scene.
1. Contempo Casuals
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For young women in the 1990s, Contempo Casuals was their preferred retailer since it provided stylish, casual attire with a lively, fun atmosphere. It embodied ’90s fashion with vibrant colors, eccentric prints, and young energy. As demand for its style changed and other stores seized the market, the store finally closed its doors.
2. Chess King
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Popular men’s clothes store Chess King was well-known for its graphic shirts, big suits, and preppy look. During the 1980s and early 1990s, the store served young men seeking stylish options, but when trends changed, it lost appeal. Other stores like Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch finally overwhelmed Chess King.
3. Merry-Go-Round
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Teenagers who wanted to dress in the newest fashions without breaking the budget loved Merry-Go-Round as a destination. Emphasizing casual streetwear, it was a mall mainstay until larger companies took the front stage. Merry-Go-Round closed its doors in the early 2000s, unable to keep up with changing fashion tastes and mall shopping experience.
4. The Limited
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Young professionals in the 1990s turned to The Limited, a clothes retailer that provided a more elegant and professional look for women. During the decade, The Limited, known for its elegant clothing and modern designs, was a big player in the fashion scene. Eventually, the store changed and rebranded, joining the bigger business that now owns names like Express and Bath & Body Works.
5. Esprit
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Popular among young people in the 1990s, Esprit was known for its vibrant, casual clothes with a European touch. Although it was a mall favorite due to its laid-back yet elegant designs, it finally battled to keep up with the advent of fast fashion. Although the brand is still present worldwide, its presence in American malls has almost vanished.
6. Structure
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Offering modern suits, shirts, and casual wear, Structure was a clothes store targeted at young men. Popular for its elegant, polished look, the brand combined casual and business wear. Eventually, it combined with other stores, and the Structure brand disappeared, leaving a menswear legacy ahead of its time.
7. Wet Seal
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One of the go-to stores for young women in the 1990s, Wet Seal had reasonably priced, fashionable clothes ideal for casual and going-out wear. From low-rise jeans to trendy tops, it embodied the core of 1990s fashion. Though the brand temporarily returned online, Wet Seal finally lost relevance and closed many of its outlets despite its once-popular presence.
8. GapKids
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Parents loved GapKids, a children’s clothes store with fashionable yet cozy selections for small ones. With its vibrant colors, easy patterns, and casual pieces, it captured the relaxed attitude of the 1990s. However, GapKids started to fade as online buying and other children’s brands gained traction, even though the Gap brand itself is still rather robust.
9. Annie Sez
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Annie Sez was a quirky, fashion-forward retailer for ladies that combined bohemian, preppy, and casual wear. Focusing on reasonably priced modern apparel, it was a frequent stop for young people and teens in the 1990s. However, Annie Sez gradually lost its ability to keep up with the evolving retail scene, and it vanished from stores silently.
10. 5-7-9
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The clothing shop 5-7-9 sold stylish, reasonably priced apparel for women in their late teens and early twenties. Often at discounted rates, the store presented a large selection of chic items ranging from casual wear to semi-formal attire. As other stores seized the market and shopping tastes changed, 5-7-9 finally lost appeal.
11. Tilly’s
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Tilly’s is still in business today, but its appeal has changed greatly. The store became famous in the 1990s for its skate and surf culture-inspired apparel, and its logo became iconic. Tilly changed its products to remain relevant as fashion trends veered away from this look, but it no longer has the same cultural impact it once did.
12. J. Riggings
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J. Riggings was a shop geared at preppy and casual wear for young men, offering everything from chinos to polo shirts. For a period, the brand was a mall mainstay attracting young people seeking classic yet modern items. However, J. Riggings finally closed its doors as brands like Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister gained dominance.
13. Z. Cavaricci
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In the early 1990s, Z. Cavaricci was a big deal when it introduced bold and stylish clothes like “baggy” jeans and high-fashion streetwear. People still remember how much they liked the brand’s signature baggy pants and bright prints.
14. Baker’s Shoes
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Baker’s Shoes was the preferred store for stylish, reasonably priced shoes in the 1990s, offering everything from chunky heels to platform shoes. However, as the 1990s drew to an end and shoe trends changed, Baker’s battled to be relevant in a fast-changing fashion scene. The brand closed many stores, and like other shoe stores like DSW and Payless, its legacy is now mostly lost.
15. Limited Too
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Limited Too was designed for preteen girls. It was a clothes store with a mix of fun, Hippocratic items ideal for young fashionistas. For girls trying to make a statement, it soon became a favorite with its vividly colored clothing and accessories. However, Limited Too’s appeal faded as its target market aged, and the store was finally merged into Justice, a brand that appealed to the following generation of tweens.