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 three options: utilitarian with contrast topstitching, work-friendly midi, and 2-in-1 convertible. Pair with a high-neck tank top, boyfriend v-neck 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: empire wasite, denim (also cute), and seersucker. And here are platform flip-flops to try: black, taupe, green, and light pink.
3. Bucket Hats
The bucket hat trend made a comeback in 2021 and is still going strong in 2023. 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 faux fur/fuzzy style is very popular, like this multicolor one, this plaid one, this extra fuzzy one, and this fluffy budget-friendly one. Fun prints are also in, like this leopard print and this reversible black floral print. I’m into the basic canvas or chambray look for myself.
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 my guess is letter sweaters were not in the budget. But I definitely would’ve worn one if we had them, especially on game days when school spirit was high. And I’d totally wear a vintage “R” letter sweater (or this) now as an ode to my high school.
If you’re looking for a letter sweater for yourself, here are some cute options: a second-hand pink “A” letterman sweater, a vintage off-white “L” letterman sweater, a striped “J” rollneck sweater, a vintage white and blue “O” cheerleader sweater, a vintage off-white “C” cardigan, and a vintage royal blue “T” cardigan.
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 vintage rainbow belt is just like the one above), they made a fun everyday look. Here are three wide-leg jeans you can buy: mid-rise, light wash, and super flare.
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 boxy-fit heavyweight t-shirt, sleeveless mock-neck, or cotton teddy sweater. Here are five versatile options: wide-leg vintage denim, baggy wide-leg, slouchy with ballon-style legs, budget-friendly (comes in 25 colors!), and overall shorts (these distressed overall shorts are also cute).
7. Corduroy Bell Bottoms
Seeing flare jeans and bell bottoms back in style fills me with nostalgia for my tween/teen closet. I had everything from traditional denim bell bottoms to micro-corduroy cargo flares. Here are a few corduroy options if you’re looking to add something similar to your wardrobe: patchwork, high-waisted flares, low-rise cargo, and wide-leg cargo.
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 pair). You can find these in baggy and tailored silhouettes, and you can also get them in a half-snap style, like these and these.
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.)