I'm Nostalgic for '90s Minimalism, and These J. Crew Picks Are Doing It for Me

Long live maxi skirts and micro-shades—two staples of '90s style. Between Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's New York street style and Miuccia Prada's pre-smartphone runways, the time period between 1990 and 1999 may be my favorite yet. Although I didn't exactly live through it as a Gen Z fashion editor, every scroll on Pinterest provides me more and more opportunities to channel my inner Kate Moss and Julia Roberts, two leading ladies of the decade. 

Known for its preppy, sophisticated style, J.Crew is certainly serving up elevated basics and chic silhouettes that all the It girls of the time were wearing. Olympia Gayot's new era at J.Crew has ushered in stylish garments that rival minimalist cult designers, a major plus in my book as someone who's slowly building their forever closet.

While I've dipped my toes into Y2K butterfly tops and low-rise jeans, there's nothing quite as comfortable to me as neutral long-sleeve shirts, boxy menswear jackets, and oversize denim jeans. Add a tortoiseshell headband, some vampy Chanel nail polish à la CBK, and a sleek black purse, and you're practically a carbon copy of the coolest fashion people back in the day.

Below, you'll find all the J.Crew staples that work just as well today as they would have back then.

Next, I Want All of My Sweaters to Come From J.Crew and Ref—30 Styles I'm Eyeing