I'm Going Through a '90s Gwyneth Paltrow Phase
Sure, I have a penchant for the cool, minimalist version of style that was practically everywhere in the '90s. In my opinion, though, Gwyneth Paltrow was someone who truly did it best, and her looks from the decade are all I can think about right now. As I've been in a mindset to refine my style, build out a closet of items I really love, and cut out the pieces I won't be wearing in the years ahead, it occurred to me that what Paltrow was wearing 25 years ago still rings as relevant today as it did years and years ago.
So while I'm not basing my entire wardrobe around Gwyneth Paltrow's '90s fashion style, I'm certainly using it as a point of inspiration as I attempt to craft a closet full of versatile pieces I'll be wearing for years ahead. Scroll down to see some of Paltrow's most iconic looks from the '90s and the style tricks to follow to recreate them now.
Tie Your Looks Together With a Classic Bag
You can't go wrong by wearing a timeless structured bag like Paltrow is wearing here on the set of A Perfect Murder. It's truly a wardrobe staple that goes with everything and will never go out of style.
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Stick to Neutral Shades
Paltrow's '90s looks are grounded in easy neutral colors like black and gray that can easily be mixed and worn with a range of outfits. The pieces she's wearing here look just as relevant now as they did decades ago.
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Upgrade Your Basics With Luxe Fabrics
Outerwear can take go from a simple wardrobe basic to a statement-making piece if you choose an elevated fabric like a glossy satin.
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Wear Long Hemlines
Long, flowy dresses with ankle-grazing hemlines are making a comeback right now, but it's a silhouette that Paltrow has been on board with for years and years.
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Consider Leather Pants a Staple
For evening looks, Paltrow was often snapped wearing leather-pant looks. This is an easy, edgy way to pull off sophisticated style.
Try an All-Black Look
Yep, more chic leather pant looks—this time with head-to-toe black. The tonal outfit is an easy way to look polished with minimal effort.
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Tie a Sweater Over Your Shoulders
The simple styling trick of trying a sweater or sweatshirt over your shoulders was everywhere in the '90s, and we're seeing it return now.
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Embrace Leopard Prints
Leopard is the cool animal print that fashion people love. While it's bold, it also works into a minimal fashion wardrobe.
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Learn to Love Matching Sets
I haven't been able to stop thinking about this look ever since I first spotted it in Great Expectations. This outfit is proof enough that a cool matching set is a wardrobe must-have.
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Next, read about my FaceTime makeover with Katie Holmes' stylist.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
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