Fashion trends have a way of going, coming back, leaving, running in circles, returning, and leaving again. Seriously, just looking at the standout fall 2022 shoe trends, you can already find some familiar favorites. (Sky-high platform heels? Heck yes.). So it’s safe to say, if you have a pair of favorite shoes now, store them in the back of your closet instead of throwing them out. Chances are in a decade or two, you’re going to want to wear them again (or your child will want to rock them to school).
As you all already know, y2k and ’90s styles are storming back onto our social feeds. It’s not just dad sneakers and biker shorts anymore, it’s low-rise pants, chokers, and a whole lot more. If you grew up in the ’90s, then you probably definitely wore a handful (IF! NOT! ALL!) of these shoes. Meanwhile, your parents were like, “Why does my daughter insist on wearing clear sandals that always look dingy and offer no arch support?” Times were good, footwear was rubbery, but let’s be glad the internet wasn’t as developed.
Here are 60 of our favorite ’90s shoes that we either wish were coming back or are already returning into our lives. And if you were around in those times, I hope you feel a nice pang of nostalgia as you scroll
Mules truly reigned supreme in the ’90s, and thus clear mules were introduced to the world. Did we care that they provided zero comfort? Absolutely not.
If you stepped into school with these bad boys on, you knew you were an It girl. Amazingly enough, forever It girl J.Lo’s shoe brand is bringing them back.
Something about buckled booties had our hearts racing with excitement. Stepping out in one of these just made you feel like you could conquer the world.
Putting these nude pumps on felt like such an adult power move. They were like the most appropriate shoes for literally any “upscale” event.
At the time, it felt like no other boots looked as good with jeans as did these. The slouchy fit gave an effortless look to your whole outfit.
Owning a pair of coach loafers was like a status symbol in some circles. These were definitely the shoes you wore to your first interview, and for years on at your first job.
When that day finally came for you to shine in a special occasion, be it a Quinceañera, Bat Mitzvah, or any event that called for a dress, these bejeweled sandals were the shoes you slipped on.