We loved the '90s — well, almost all of the '90s. The decade had plenty of hits fashion-wise, but also more than its fair share of misses. After all, the '90s gave us Kris Kross' backwards jeans and mini backpack purses. They seemed cool at the time, so we felt totally awesome in our '90s gear, but looking back — yikes!
Here's a peek at the most embarrassing trends to rule the runways, middle schools, and everywhere in between more than two decades ago. Ā
Image via Ethan Miller/Corbis
Hi-top Fades
Christopher Reid of Kid 'n Play helped take men's hair to the next level — literally — with his hi-top fade. The tall-hair trend peaked in the early '90s.
Pacifier Necklaces
Pacifier necklaces have been relegated to baby showers these days, but back in the '90s, they were a status symbol for the truly trendy.
Overalls
It may be hard to believe it now, but in the '90s, overalls were cool — even cool enough for Julia Roberts. The trendiest left one shoulder unhooked.
Hemp Jewelry
Hemp jewelry was hot in the '90s, especially on men. Looking fashionable was totally worth an itchy neck until your necklace got worn in, right?
MoreĀ fromĀ TheĀ Stir:Ā 20 Cringeworthy Fashion & Style Trends of the '90s (PHOTOS)
Backwards Baseball Caps
Don't let them see your brim! The '90s were all about wearing your baseball cap backwards. It looked so cool on Tyra Banks, she didn't even need to smize.
Platform Shoes
We were all a few inches taller back in the '90s, thanks to our ankle-twisting platform shoes. They were easier to walk in than stilettos at least!
Vests
Thanks in part toĀ Friends' Chandler Bing andĀ Saved By the Bell's Jessie Spano, vests were a super-cool '90s staple. Even hottie Brad Pitt wore them.
Choker Necklaces
Chokers were all the rage back in the '90s, especially these tattoo-style ones. Everyone from Winona Ryder to Jennifer Love Hewitt wore the super-tight necklaces.
MoreĀ fromĀ TheĀ Stir:Ā 20 Beauty Products From the '90s We Still Love (PHOTOS)
Backwards Jeans
Backwards jeans made a lot more sense when we were jump-jumping to Kris Kross' music back in the early '90s. Now? Not so much.
Backpack Purses
Why carry a purse when you could cram all your stuff into a mini backpack instead? Even the Clueless crew got behind this uber-popular trend.
Baggy Pants
Sure, some people wear baggy pants today. But those pants don't even come close to how baggy our pants were back in the '90s. One leg could have fit two people! We might not have looked cool rocking them, but TLC sure did.
Starter Jackets
Sports fans in the '90s showed their team allegiance with these popular jackets. The coats were so coveted that Starter jacket thefts were an actual problem.
MoreĀ fromĀ TheĀ Stir:Ā 5 Terrible '90s Fashions We Can't Believe We Ever Wore
Frosted Tips
'N SYNC's Justin Timberlake made all the ladies swoon with his sexy hair — frosted tips and all — so teen guys everywhere copied his look. Who could blame them?
Manic Panic Hair Dye
Hair was anything but boring in the '90s, thanks in large part to Manic Panic's rainbow-hued hair dyes. Blonde today, purple tomorrow!
Leather Pants
Men and women both got behind the leather pants trend in the '90s. Anyone could rock the look — as long as they could actually get the pants on. Jennifer Love Hewitt looked so good in them it made us want to try.
Butterfly Hair Clips
What '90s girl doesn't remember scouring the racks at Claire's to pick out the perfect sparkly, glow-in-the-dark, neon butterfly clips? Sarah Michelle Gellar and other teen stars perfected this flighty trend.Ā
MoreĀ fromĀ TheĀ Stir: How to Wear '90s Clothes, in 2012 (PHOTOS)
Carpenter Jeans
Carpenter jeans were a practical and super-popular staple in the '90s. The thigh-level loop was perfect for carrying around a hammer (yeah, right!) or just looking really cool.
