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Does anyone remember this style?

274 replies

Pheasantlysurprised · 09/11/2021 16:52

I used to wear this stuff when I was 16-21, (which would have been 1990 onwards) we also bought army surplus rucksacks and embroidered into them, usually peace symbols and ban the bomb.. The skirts often had little mirrors on and were very long and swishy!

We wore patchouli oil or sandalwood and due to being in the north we shopped mostly at Afflecks Palace in Manchester. We loved the Stone Roses, The Doors, The Smiths, Velvet Underground, etc. Glastonbury was very different then, no paps or celebs in Hunter wellies all over it.

I also wore those very long tiny necklaces made up of thousands of multicoloured beads. When one snapped, as they invariably would, you could still find random beads near the skirting boards 20 yrs later Grin
We wore the dyed tights and woven bracelets.

Anyway I saw these items on ebay and it was such a blast from the past. It is amazing how the sensorial element of a particular time can crash back in.

And not forgetting the Docs. I still wear those. I still wear long skirts but don't reek of patchouli (prefer Guerlain) and prefer more minimal designs/fabrics and colours nowadays.
We didnt call it 'hippy' but it was classed as alternative, to a point. I mean, we used to hold burning joysticks in nightclubs whilst swaying around dreamily when The Sunday's were playing......

Does anyone remember this style?
Does anyone remember this style?
OP posts:
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MrsMadderRose · 12/11/2021 20:39

My university boyfriend had beautiful long wavy hair! Meanwhile I had short and backcombed hair, like a Fraggle.

Does anyone remember this style?
VioletCharlotte · 12/11/2021 22:09

This thread makes me smile, so many memories of being a teenager in the early 90's! Striped tights, skirts either fringes, patchwork skirts, velvet jackets, those slippers type shoes either a strap (and no sole so knackered your feet!), tie dye dresses, bags with mirrors.... We used to go to a local dive that had an 'alternative night' every Saturday when I was 16/17, full of indie kids, boys with long hair and jumpers with holes in, all in our big clumpy boots, smoking Marlboros and drinking and drinking pints of cider and black or bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale. Jumping around the dance floor to Nirvana, the Levellers, the Lemonheads, etc. Good times!

PWEI · 13/11/2021 09:54

@AnotherCrazyBirdLady

Oh, this thread has brought back some wonderful memories! I remember using a patchouli fragrance oil that was made by Spiritual Sky, I think, it was lovely. Not found one as nice since. Does anyone remember what brands of incense were floating around at that time? I'd love to buy some (or similar) to rekindle the memories!!
I still love a bit of incense Smile The most 90s one I use is Satya (esp Nag Champa or Super Hit) and more expensive but lovely is SHOYEIDO, esp a cherry blossom one they do.

I also like (not from the 90s but lovely scents) Stamford Incense as they smell so nice.

I wish I could invite everyone on this thread to my house to sit around wearing our skirts with mirrors on, in a cloud of incense, and reminisce about boys with long hair, while drinking cider and black!

SallyOMalley · 13/11/2021 09:56

Velvet jackets! I'd forgotten those. My lovely grandmother gave me hers around 1990 - a brown velvet jacket from m&s with the 'St Michael' label from Autumn 1974! I still wear it now (although I can't now do it up Blush)

PWEI · 13/11/2021 10:30

@SallyOMalley

Velvet jackets! I'd forgotten those. My lovely grandmother gave me hers around 1990 - a brown velvet jacket from m&s with the 'St Michael' label from Autumn 1974! I still wear it now (although I can't now do it up Blush)
The quality of the clothes back then (esp St Michael!) was so much better wasn't it? I have a similar, but black, velvet jacket and I wore it constantly through the 90s, and my DDs have been fighting over it wearing it probably the last 10 years - it's been worn to so many places (including pre smoking ban pubs etc) been out in the rain, and probably been draped all over floors and chairs etc - and it pretty much looks like new. I do sponge it down and dry clean it every so often but I imagine if you bought a similar item now it would last about a month!

I keep all the clothes I love (since the beginning of the 90s) and it's really obvious how the quality of clothes has deteriorated in recent years. The other day I wore a red A line mini shift dress (lined) which I bought from M & S in 1993, it looks like I bought it last week. I have restitched some of the lining but that's it. I also have a black fitted midi dress with a high collar from Harvey Nicks I bought after a very drunken lunch in the Fifth floor restaurant (when I was earning better money!) in the 90s which I still wear probably every month, the side zip will probably need replacing soon but it still looks in great condition. (There wear a few years where I couldn't fit into these clothes due to having the DC but they still have been worn lots)

I absolutely love that my DDs are wearing all my old clothes now. These days I never "save anything for best" and I don't mind if anything gets damaged as they have had long useful lives and I can always keep them as reminders of good times Smile

Pheasantlysurprised · 13/11/2021 11:56

I wish I could invite everyone on this thread to my house to sit around wearing our skirts with mirrors on, in a cloud of incense, and reminisce about boys with long hair, while drinking cider and black!

Sounds perfect, I'll bring the Nag Champa!

OP posts:
Craftycorvid · 13/11/2021 13:02

I’ll clomp up in my DMs and stripy tights!

And the quality of clothing really was so much better back in the day. I wear quite a lot of vintage (aka nostalgic purchases that take me back to my youth) and it’s very noticeable that perfectly standard high street brands like Laura Ashley were very well made, properly lined, hems finished off and buttons fully attached (with spares). Considering some of my clothes are probably 30 years old, they are doing very well (and it’s all sustainable Grin).

AnotherCrazyBirdLady · 13/11/2021 13:11

@PWEI, I've got plenty of Nag ChampaGrin I seem to remember a cheaper brand in a flatter box, maybe with pictures of Indian deities on?
On the back of this thread, I have been googling all of the things I remember from back in the day, with an eye to buying all some bits, it's making me all warm and fuzzy! I regrettably got rid of most of my clothes, but am glad to say I still have a pair of purple suede DM's Smile

LikeACatInTheDark · 13/11/2021 14:43

Ooh! at this thread!

I started out with CBGB's in Bradford before venturing further afield to Leeds..

It got called "Bob's" by us because that's what the sign looked like :)

I've still got a top from Grin in Leeds corn exchange from 1995 that I can't bring myself to get rid of, even if I haven't worn it for literally decades. I ended up working in a shop there in the 00s, and wish it hadn't been gentrified.

Does anyone remember this style?
Craftycorvid · 13/11/2021 15:15

Oh I remember Grin, @LikeACatInTheDark Yes, they did parts if Leeds no favours in gentrifying them. The Corn Exchange has a few vintage clothing shops now but it’s mostly a wan impression of its former glories.

I do wish I’d kept some of my clothes from my student days. I went through a dark time post-graduation which I refer to the ‘bland corporate years’. I had a moment of awareness when I realised my work wardrobe looked absolutely nothing like my off-duty wardrobe, and that I hated all my work clothes. I deeply regret getting rid of some great pairs of DMs because I’d decided I should look more mature and sensible. What a foolish notion! I decided to find a job that suited my style and eventually I did. 🙂

Gonnagetgoing · 13/11/2021 15:21

I had variations of this - probably not the skirt but definitely the mirrored elephant bags and maybe a top.

Used to go to a shop in Hastings Old town which sold lots of this including long floral dresses with corset lacing at sides plus silver necklaces with dragons, earrings etc.

There was an oriental Far East shop top of Neal Street (near Covent Garden tube) which sold lots of this look plus black fabric flat Mary Janes.

SallyOMalley · 13/11/2021 15:56

I wish I could invite everyone on this thread to my house to sit around wearing our skirts with mirrors on, in a cloud of incense, and reminisce about boys with long hair, while drinking cider and black!

I'm leaving now! I've got my swishy Indian skirt on with bells, and my balloon sleeved white 'pirate' blouse. Can't find my green suede waistcoat, so brown velvet jacket it is. Bit cold for velvet Chinese slippers so I'll put my docs on. Black eyeliner, dark red lipstick and I'll be on my way.

SallyOMalley · 13/11/2021 15:56

Gosh, I suddenly feel very nostalgic and a little bit teary. Blush

Rhythmisadancer · 13/11/2021 16:13

In Nottingham we had B&Bs and Ice Nine for all our mirrored skirts and poppers - Ice Nine is still there.
Did not know that about Clint Mansell - amazing!
Not sure Beaver Patrol would go down so well with the kids today ...

HumbugWhale · 13/11/2021 16:16

Yes! That was my look in the 90s, in my case purchased from the Oasis Market in Birmingham. I loved it!

LikeACatInTheDark · 13/11/2021 16:16

Same, Sally !
I found a couple of hippy clothes and stuff shops last year when I visited Whitby; I wanted to just shove my face in everything and inhale, and I swear I was temporarily 25 years younger while I was in there.

I've a yearning for purple walls, strings of bells, bean bags and astrology wall hangings in my home now.

I do live on my own, so I guess nobody can stop me... Hmm I don't think I'd be able to get up from a bean bag unaided though these days Grin

Alwaystired99 · 13/11/2021 16:21

6 Music played "Where's Me Jumper" one morning last week and it took me back to jumping around to it in my purple suede Docs, vintage black velvet jacket and stripy tights! I think my top would probably have been a pretty floral button through chiffony thing and long floaty skirt. I used to henna my hair (often mixed with tea and coffee) and sleep in it over night to make the colour even deeper!

SallyOMalley · 13/11/2021 17:00

@LikeACatInTheDark

Same, Sally ! I found a couple of hippy clothes and stuff shops last year when I visited Whitby; I wanted to just shove my face in everything and inhale, and I swear I was temporarily 25 years younger while I was in there.

I've a yearning for purple walls, strings of bells, bean bags and astrology wall hangings in my home now.

I do live on my own, so I guess nobody can stop me... Hmm I don't think I'd be able to get up from a bean bag unaided though these days Grin

Do it, @LikeACatInTheDark. Just string a few bells up or something (wonder where mine went to??)

Now moping listening to 10,000 Maniacs on Spotify, thinking about my uni days in Sheffield in the early 90s and imaging myself in my tiny bedroom with its Indian bedspread, bells and incense.

Come on Sally, old girl, look back with cheery nostalgia, not with a lump in the throat. 🥺

PWEI · 13/11/2021 17:21

"Come on Sally, old girl, look back with cheery nostalgia, not with a lump in the throat. "

But don't look back in anger, I heard her say

WinkGrin

SallyOMalley · 13/11/2021 17:23

🤣

PWEI · 13/11/2021 17:24

I think we definitely all do need a MN Meet Up in my lounge though!

You're all welcome Grin

SallyOMalley · 13/11/2021 17:30

Is it big enough, @PWEI? There are quite a lot of us .... Grin

Tomasinabombadil · 13/11/2021 18:42

@Floisme

Oh dear .... that was my look too, only it was 20 years earlier, when Affleck and Browns was a rather fusty department store GrinI swear I had that same bag and skirt though.

Did you wear clogs and a shawl too or did they not make it out of the 70s?

Yes, I wore the same in the 70’s and cheesecloth tops/blouses with lots of teeny buttons fastened up with tiny loops rather than button holes, not conducive for quick dressing or undressing😂. I also wore wooden & leather clogs & crochet style shawls. Still occasionally wear clogs now but more comfy ones with cushioned soles.
Livelifeinthebuslane · 13/11/2021 19:14

I've a yearning for purple walls, strings of bells, bean bags and astrology wall hangings in my home now.

I forgot about the strings of bells! Though I have a couple of strings of coloured birds with bells on the end and a multicoloured rag rug! I want to get some appliqué and mirrored cushion covers now.

CMOTDibbler · 13/11/2021 19:36

I was more rock/goth in the 80s/90s, but had the lurex striped scarves, DMs and super long indian cotton skirts. I did keep the best of my vintage coats and waistcoats and DS has now appropriated some of them, esp the naval frock coat which my mum lovingly relined for me.
We're going to see the Levellers with ds on their 30 years since Levelling the Land tour which will be fun, and his first indie type gig

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