The Evolution of 90s Aesthetics on Tumblr Over the Years

The Return of 90s Aesthetics on Tumblr

The 2010s saw a huge resurgence of 90s fashion, music, and pop culture. Platforms like Tumblr played a major role in bringing back the iconic 90s aesthetic that many millennials are nostalgic for. From mom jeans to chokers and dark lipstick, Tumblr users reminisced about the good ol' days with their content and personal style.

The term "90s aesthetic" refers to the overall style and cultural vibe of the 1990s. This includes the music, fashion trends, interior design, and pop culture moments that defined the decade. On Tumblr, users often tag their posts with #90saesthetic to denote that their content relates to the iconic retro vibe of the 90s.

Fashion Trends

Some of the most popular 90s fashion trends that made a comeback on Tumblr include:

• High-waisted jeans
• Crop tops and bralettes
• Slip dresses
• Flannel button-downs
• Leather jackets
• Chunky shoes like Doc Martens
• Chokers
• Slouchy sweaters and cardigans
• Windbreakers and bomber jackets
• Mini backpacks

Users created photosets and collages showcasing these iconic pieces, often mixed and matched together to create the ultimate 90s inspired #OOTD. The revival of these trends highlights the cyclical nature of fashion and how generations continue to find inspiration from past decades.

Beauty & Makeup

In addition to clothing, Tumblr also embraced 90s beauty and makeup trends. Dark lipstick was hugely popular, with deep shades of red, brown, and purple being worn as a callback to 90s style icons. Dark or reddish brown lip liner also made a comeback, used to outline lips before filling them in with lipstick. The "grunge" look remained stylish with many women opting to wear dark eyeliner on both the top and bottom lashlines.

Additionally, tattoo chokers, barrettes, and scrunchies emerged as 90s nostalgic accessories commonly worn. Tiny butterfly hair clips also adorned updos. Overall, the 90s emphasis on contrasting matte lipstick with minimal eye makeup flowed well with Tumblr's signature aesthetic.

Pop Punk Music

No 90s revival would be complete without the music that defined the decade. Pop punk bands like Blink-182, Green Day, and NOFX gained popularity in the 90s and had a resurgence on Tumblr. Users created GIFs and shared YouTube videos from favorite 90s bands, often posting lyrics as captions. The sound of pop punk perfectly complements the carefree, rebellious attitude of 90s style.

Along with pop punk, hip hop and R&B music from the 90s also flourished on Tumblr. Throwback tracks from TLC, Destiny's Child, Notorious B.I.G, Tupac, and Dr. Dre appeared on many users' playlists. Overall, the music of the 90s encompassed a feeling of youth culture that Tumblr wanted to recapture.

Movie & TV Nostalgia

In addition to music, movies and TV shows of the 90s strongly influenced Tumblr users. Shows like Friends, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Daria portrayed the voices of 90s teenagers. GIFs, screencaps, and fanart of characters like Rachel Green and the Fresh Prince gained huge popularity on Tumblr.

Classic films like Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You, Cruel Intentions, and She's All That also inspired posts. Users analyzed the characters' outfits, makeup, and one-liners. The movies defined 90s high school life for many millennials, leading to endless tributes on Tumblr.

Cartoons and kids' shows of the 90s likewise received appreciation. Users shared their memories of watching Rugrats, Hey Arnold, Doug, and The Wild Thornberrys. Overall, the movies and TV of the 90s perfectly encapsulated the aesthetic that Tumblr wanted to channel.

Nostalgic Photography

Beyond fashion and entertainment, photography also played a role in Tumblr's 90s aesthetic. Users applied photo editing tools to give their photos a nostalgic, grainy quality reminiscent of 90s camera film. Photos with warm filters, light leaks, and blurred Polaroids added to the vintage vibe.

Photos of landline phones, mixtapes, old video games, and rollerblades also sparked 90s nostalgia. Users romanticized the simplicity of 90s childhoods before technology took over. Even photos of 90s supermarket and mall aesthetics gained popularity.

Overall, the photography posted by Tumblr users encapsulated the feeling of flipping through an old 90s family photo album. It transported people back to iconic 90s moments and memories.

Why 90s Aesthetics Continues to Fascinate

Clearly the 90s aesthetic had a huge moment on Tumblr in the early 2010s. But why did this iconic decade captivate users so much? There are several reasons:

• Nostalgia - Many Tumblr users grew up in the 90s. Posting about fashion, music, and pop culture from their childhood sparked nostalgia.
• Individuality - The 90s encouraged people to express uniqueness and rebel against the mainstream. This appealed to Tumblr's alternative culture.
• Simplicity - Compared to the pace of today's social media era, the 90s seemed simpler and less technology-driven. Tumblr users glorified this.
• Fashion cyclicity - Trends repeat every 20-30 years. The 90s became "cool" again when millennials decided to revive pieces from their youth.
• Youth and innocence - The 90s represent a time of adolescence. Reminiscing about the 90s allows people to feel young again.

While the peak 90s aesthetic craze has slowed down, the decade continues to be referenced in pop culture and social media today. The 90s were a definitive time period that shaped millennial childhoods. Fashion from that era comes in and out of style. Artists sample 90s music in new songs. TV reboots of 90s shows emerge. Collectively, the 90s evokes a feeling of the "good old days" that people want to hold onto.

For Tumblr users, reminiscing about the 90s through posts keeps the nostalgia alive. It allows them to feel connected to the iconic trends and moments from their past. As millennials enter adulthood, many feel that the 90s were the last era of childhood innocence before the complexity of the modern world. By posting about 90s fashion, music, and pop culture, Tumblr users hope to keep the spirit of the 90s aesthetic alive.

The Evolution of 90s Style on Tumblr

At its peak, the 90s aesthetic dominated Tumblr culture in the early 2010s. Users embraced mom jeans, crop tops, chokers, and dark lipstick. Pop punk music and 90s movies defined the vibe. However, as with all trends, the aesthetic eventually evolved.

By the mid 2010s, Tumblr users started moving away from outright replicating 90s fashion. Instead, they put a modern twist on staples from the decade. High-waisted jeans remained popular but were styled with contemporary crop tops instead of 90s band tees. Chokers were worn but as thinner, daintier versions. Dark lipstick got blended for an ombre effect.

The revival of 90s beauty trended more toward "no makeup" makeup. Fresh faced skin with minimal eye makeup paired with a 90s inspired matte lip. Simple thin chokers replaced the thick tattoo chokers of the past. Large barrettes got swapped for smaller hair clips.

The music of the 90s also transformed as users created synthwave playlists influenced by the decade. Contemporary songs with an electronic, psychedelic 80s/90s fusion defined the new vibe.Overall, Tumblr users retained their love for the 90s but evolved the aesthetic to feel fresh and current.

Today, the 90s aesthetic lives on but is less literal. High-waisted jeans and crop tops remain wardrobe staples. Matte lipstick continues trending. Chokers periodically come back in waves. But the aesthetic is now integrated seamlessly into a modern hipster Tumblr style. The 90s served as an inspiration but aren't fully replicated. Nostalgia for the decade remains but the aesthetics are reimagined for today.

The Lasting Impact of 90s Aesthetics

It's clear that 90s aesthetics made a significant impact on Tumblr in the early 2010s. But the decade continues to influence wider pop culture and fashion today. Here are some of the key ways that 90s style remains relevant:

• High-waisted, loose fitting jeans never went away after their Tumblr resurgence. They remain a staple closet item, often worn with crop tops.
• Mini backpacks have evolved from being a purely 90s trend into a cute, functional accessory.
• Doc Martens and chunky sneakers have moved beyond their grunge roots. Both shoe styles are now mainstream.
• Dark lipstick may ebb and flow in popularity but always comes back around. The 90s made dark lips a staple that has endured.
• Choker necklaces today are ubiquitous. Tumblr sparked a choker craze that hasn't slowed down.
• Straight across bangs and face-framing pieces remain popular due to the 90s. Messy, textured hair is in.

Beyond fashion, 90s music continues being sampled and referenced. Bands like Nirvana remain iconic. Movies and TV shows from the era are often rebooted or continued with sequels. The simplicity of 90s childhoods compared to today's technology-filled world makes the decade ever nostalgic.

Thanks to Tumblr, millennials have a soft spot for 90s style. Even those born after the 90s are influenced by the trends. When looking at pictures from the 90s, the decade feels cool, carefree, and rebellious. People want to channel that vibe in the midst of today's chaotic world. The 90s serve as a touchstone to simpler times that Tumblr helped memorialize for generations to come.

FAQs

What were some of the most popular 90s fashion trends revived on Tumblr?

High-waisted mom jeans, crop tops, chokers, slip dresses, flannel, leather jackets, and Doc Martens were some of the biggest 90s fashion trends to make a comeback thanks to Tumblr.

How did Tumblr users recreate 90s beauty and makeup looks?

Dark lipstick, dark eyeliner, tattoo chokers, barrettes, scrunchies, and minimal eye makeup with a bold matte lip were go-to 90s inspired beauty looks on Tumblr.

What kind of 90s music gained popularity again on Tumblr?

Pop punk bands like Blink-182 as well as hip hop and R&B artists like TLC and Notorious B.I.G defined the 90s music aesthetic on Tumblr.

Which movies and TV shows sparked nostalgia on Tumblr?

Shows like Friends and movies like Clueless and 10 Things I Hate About You were the top 90s pop culture moments referenced on Tumblr.

How did Tumblr users evolve the 90s aesthetic over time?

By the mid-2010s, Tumblr users started tweaking the 90s aesthetic to feel fresh and modern instead of completely recreating it.