The Category Is '90s Minimalism—10 Items I'm Buying to Nail Fall's Biggest Trend

Of the many cool trends we spotted on the F/W 2022 runways, pared-back '90s minimalism is unquestionably one of the most refreshing—providing a welcome reprieve to many of the loud looks available throughout the rest of the runways—from angsty grunge styles to excessively layered ensembles.

Simplicity was the name of the game for many designers, where runway looks were comprised of elevated takes on our wardrobe basics—all styled together simply—no statement earrings, bright pops of color or otherwise attention-grabbing details to break up the look. Think sleek slip dresses, understated white tank tops, straight-leg jeans, maxi hemlines in fresh silhouettes, and sumptuous fabrics.

The best part about this "anti-trend" is that these low-key luxury pieces transcend seasonality and therefore are smart investments that will serve you for years to come.

If you want to take on the '90s minimalist trend with clean lines, neutral color palettes, and sleek silhouettes, then keep scrolling as I bring you 10 of-the-moment items to get the look.

1. Long, Simple Slips

Nothing says the '90s quite like a long, sleek slip dress. Opt for black or ivory hues in midi and maxi lengths. Dress it up with minimalist strappy-heel mules or give them a casual spin with a pair of cool-girl Adidas Samba sneakers.

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2. Tank Tops

The simple white tank top has risen to fame this season, thanks to designers such as Prada, Bottega Veneta, Chloé, and Bevza (to name but a few!) who shined a light on the humble basic on the F/W 22 runways. While the temps are still pleasant, style it with a silky slip skirt or straight-leg jeans a la Kate Moss for a minimalist '90s look.

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3. Streamlined Maxi Hemlines

One of the most exciting silhouettes to come back on the scene—straight out of the '90s—are streamlined maxi hemlines. Whether it's a column skirt or silky long dress (the ones at Saint Laurent were dreamy), the sleek silhouette adds a sophisticated and chic touch to every outfit.

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4. Straight-Leg Jeans

When it comes to straight-leg jeans, we can't help but think of '90s Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cindy Crawford and Rachel Green, styling their straight-leg jeans with everything from fitted baby T-shirts to leather blazers and tight black turtlenecks. Luckily, this is exactly the style aesthetic we're going for in fall 2022. 

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5. Strapless Tube Tops and Dresses

Reminiscent of the Calvin Klein runways of the '90s, this seasons collections confirmed that tube dresses and tops will continue their dominance this autumn. Clean and streamlined strapless silhouettes are striking in their simplicity and lean into the trending clean-girl aesthetic.

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6. Knee-Length Slip Skirts

Easy and effortless the slip skirts spotted on the fall runways embody the '90s minimalist aesthetic perfectly. We're seeing plenty of sheer iterations this season as well as luxe, flowy fabrics that fall just below the knee.

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7. Waistcoats

Waistcoats have been on the scene for a few seasons now, and thankfully the smart and polished piece isn't going anywhere this fall. Let '90s Julia Roberts be your ultimate styling muse.

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8. High-Waisted Suit Pants

Relaxed yet tailored straight-leg suit pants lean into the '90s vibes—and are a wardrobe staple we can't live without. They'll elevate your outfit in an instant and are easy to pair with everything from casual tank tops to fun party tops.

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9. Leather Blazers

There was something so effortlessly cool about Gwyneth Paltrow's leather jacket outfits in the '90s—and luckily they're pretty easy to emulate for youself now that the chic and edgy style is trending this fall.

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10. Button-Downs

In the '90s casual and cool button-downs were a wardrobe staple for celebs such as Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford and not much has changed to this day. While button-downs aren't exactly a trend, they continue to be styled and layered in a variety of fresh and unique ways on the runways season after season.

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Up next, five simple items that'll trick people into thinking you spent a lot on your outfit.