Flashback: Alloy Catalogs of the ’90s & ’00s

UPDATED: September, 2024

What’s inspiring your style these days? I’ve been into the styles that are inspired by the fashion catalogs I loved as a tween and teen, like Alloy catalogs and, of course, dELiA’s catalogs. To follow up on our popular ode to dELiA’s catalogs, here are 9 signature looks from Alloy catalogs of the ’90s and ’00s, including links to similar products you can buy now…

1. Cargo Skirts

Cargo skirts were a year-round closet staple when I was in middle school and high school. When paired with platform flip-flops or chunky boots, they made the coolest casual outfit combo. Do you wear cargo skirts now? Here are several great options: denim (another good denim option), baggy parachute, sporty, midi, and black (under $50). Pair with a racer back high-neck tank top, boxy tee, or waffle shirt.

2. Mini Sundresses

A mini sundress with platform flip-flops? This was the epitome of cool in the Alloy era. From the park to the beach to grabbing coffee with friends, here are four sundresses you can wear all summer: eyelet cotton pleat, smocked, and denim (also cute). And here are platform flip-flops to try: blue, white, green, and black.

3. Bucket Hats

The bucket hat trend made a comeback in 2021 and is still going strong. In middle school, I had an orange bucket hat that I loved, as well as a blue and green plaid one that was similar to the one above.

I haven’t jumped back into this trend yet, but pretty much anything goes when it comes to bucket hats these days. The fuzzy style is popular, like this ombre one and this striped one. Fun prints are also in, like tie dye, mushrooms (also reversible), and flowers. For myself, I love this raffia straw one and this corduroy one (only $13!).

4. Letter Sweaters

Did you have a letter sweater in middle school or high school? I went to a very small New England school, and letter sweaters weren’t in the budget. But I definitely would’ve worn one if we had them, especially on game days when school spirit was high. I’d totally wear a vintage “R” letter sweater now as an ode to my high school.

If you’re looking for a letter sweater for yourself, here are some cute options: a vintage black and white “C” zip-up, a vintage royal blue “C” letterman cardigan, a vintage green and gold “B” letterman sweater cardigan, a vintage blue and yellow “P” pullover letter sweater (love this one), and a vintage yellow “N” letterman sweater.

5. Super Wide-Leg Jeans

Did you wear super wide-leg jeans in the ’90s or early 2000s? Kikwear and JNCO were two of the popular brands when I was in school, and when paired with a simple fitted tank and cute belt (this rainbow belt is just like the one above), they made a fun everyday look. Here are three wide-leg jeans you can buy: high-waist, pleated, and super wide.

6. Oversized Denim Overalls

This go-with-anything closet staple has become even more mainstream today than it was during the days of Alloy catalogs. Pair with a cute graphic tee, cotton teddy sweater, or a cropped mock neck tee.

Here are five versatile options: dark wash cuffed, plaid patchwork, budget-friendly (comes in 25 colors!), light wash, and overall shorts, which would look cute with tights during the colder months.

7. Corduroy Bell Bottoms

Seeing flare jeans and bell bottoms back in style fills me with nostalgia for my teen closet. I had everything from denim side slit bell bottoms to micro-corduroy cargo flares. Here are a few corduroy options if you’re looking to add something similar to your wardrobe: cropped (fun colors), penny corduroy flares, barrel leg, and floral.

8. Snap Track Pants

Snap track pants, or tearaway track pants, were big in the ’90s and ’00s, and they made a comeback later in the 2010s. I had several pairs of these from middle school through college, including a Kappa pair (love this vintage Kappa pair and this vintage Kappa pair too). You can find these in baggy and tailored silhouettes, and you can also get them in a half-snap version, like this modern style, and I like this simple stripe version too.

9. Sweater Jackets & Quilted Jackets

Yes, these are pages from a ’90s Alloy catalog, even though nearly identical versions of this yellow and brown sweater jacket (or “shacket” as we call it now) and green quilted jacket are on several clothing brand websites today. Here’s a wide selection of shackets to check out. And maybe you’ve seen this very popular quilted knit jacket or its many dupes, like this and this?

Are you wearing anything that’s similar to these Alloy catalog looks these days? All of these looks make me so nostalgic for the pieces I wore in the ’90s and ’00s, and I love looking back at these styles and comparing them to what we’re seeing now.

(Photos by Jille Edge.)