What Colours Were in Fashion in the 1990s?
- Daria
- Apr 10
- 5 min read
Welcome to the iconic 90s!
From minimalism to grunge, slip dresses to denim, it was a decade that made style look effortless, yet carried a quiet sense of attitude and confidence. Unlike the bold chaos of the 2000s or the extravagance of the 80s, the 1990–2000 era leaned into a more refined, understated palette. It felt like a breath of fresh air after the avant-garde energy of the previous decade.
Of course, like any era, the 90s had its own distinct colour palette. If you love vintage or second-hand shopping, understanding these colours can help you choose pieces that not only capture that 90s aesthetic but also genuinely flatter you. Because the goal isn’t just to wear clothing from past decades, it’s to find pieces that matches your natural colouring, so your outfits feel both authentic and modern, of course.
Let’s break it down.
How to Find Your Undertone and Colouring to Choose the Best 90s Vintage Piece
At Zazu Feu, we make discovering your natural colouring simple and accessible. Start with our free colour quiz, designed to give you a clear idea of your likely colour type in just a few minutes. For more detailed insights, our £10 colour type guide includes personalised suggestions and tips.
If you want even more detail, we offer three levels of online colour analysis services. Each service includes a full colour guide so you can confidently build a wardrobe, choose makeup, and style yourself for any occasion — all without leaving home.
The Early 90s (1990–1994): Minimal, Cool, and Understated Colour Palette
At the start of the decade, fashion was all about minimalism and simplicity, and it’s no wonder, as it followed the excess of 80s fashion, with its bold silhouettes, padded shoulders, and dramatic styling. For 90s style, think clean lines, slip dresses, and a muted, almost monochromatic palette.
Popular colours included:
grey,
black,
white,
navy,
taupe,
and soft blue.
These shades work well on many, regardless of undertone, as they feel safe and neutral. When wearing neutrals, it’s important to consider the level of contrast in your complexion, so you can balance and enhance it.
For example, if your contrast is high (think dark hair, dark eyes, fair skin, or light hair with dark eyes), it’s best to combine light and dark shades within one look — like black with white or navy with soft blue. If your contrast level is low, opt for combinations with less depth difference: soft blue with taupe, or black with navy.
I know it’s often said that those with fair or very light colouring and low contrast should avoid black — but I also know how unrealistic that can be! The truth is, black may not be your best dark shade. If you’re a Periwinkle or Buttercup, for example, a dark navy or a rich brown may already give you enough depth.
That said, at Zazu Feu, we believe everyone should know how to wear black. It’s not easily replaceable — other shades carry a different feel, a different energy. Even the darkest grey doesn’t quite have the same effect. That’s why we’ve created colour guides for each type, explaining in detail how to wear black in a way that doesn’t make you look too pale or drained, even if it’s not naturally in your palette.
As for the rest of the neutrals, a simple rule applies: if your undertone is warm, choose warmer versions (like a warm taupe), and if your undertone is cool, opt for cooler variations.
The Mid-90s (1994–1997): Grunge, Earthy, and Muted Colour Palette
As the decade progressed, grunge and casual styling took over. The palette became more earthy, relaxed, and intentionally undone.
Popular colours included:
olive green,
khaki,
brown,
rust,
burgundy,
and faded denim blue.
These tones are ideal for those with a warm undertone and muted colouring. If your features are soft, earthy, or slightly golden, this palette can feel incredibly harmonious. For example, if your colour type is Rudbeckia, you’ll look especially radiant in these kinds of shades — rich in warmth and depth.
However, if you find yourself drawn to this style against the norms — not for harmony or conventional beauty (we’ve explored this in our post Undertone and Hair Colour) — and you have a cool undertone, these shades may feel noticeably clashing on you.
Zazu Feu is about harmony, but it’s not about changing who you are or going against your character. In fact, one of the biggest benefits of knowing your colour type is having the choice: you can lean into harmony, or intentionally create contrast — whether you want to look like an impressionist painting or something more avant-garde that reflects your personal vibe.
If you’re aiming for a more cohesive look but have a cool undertone, try wearing these shades away from the face and balancing them with your own neutrals.
The Late 90s (1997–2000): Sleek, Feminine, and Subtly Polished Colours
Towards the end of the decade, fashion became more refined and slightly more feminine. Think satin fabrics, slip dresses, and a return to a more polished silhouette.
Popular colours included:
black,
ivory,
deep plum,
wine,
dusty pink,
and soft metallics.
This palette works beautifully on those with cool to neutral undertones and medium to high contrast. Dusty pinks and soft plums are especially flattering on softer colour types like Periwinkle and Columbine, while deeper shades like wine can suit those with more contrast, such as Hellebore.
For very warm types, some of these shades may feel slightly cool — in that case, opting for warmer versions (like rose or warmer reds) can make all the difference. Or wear them away from your face and match them with your neutrals.
Overall, from what I’ve seen in vintage shops, there’s a much wider selection of pieces from this exact period — which feels like a small victory for all of us with cool undertones who struggle to find anything truly cool-toned in current fashion.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that in the 90s, genuinely cool-toned makeup was everywhere — something that’s surprisingly hard to come by today.
What’s labelled as “cool-toned” now often still leans slightly warm or neutral. Personally, I’m so cool-toned that even slightly warm lipsticks read very warm on me.
We’ve explained how to find the right red lipstick in more detail here, if you’re interested.
How to Wear 90s Colours Today
The beauty of 90s fashion is its wearability. The colours are often softer, more muted, and easier to incorporate into a modern wardrobe.
The key is not to replicate the decade exactly, but to choose colours that align with your natural colouring.
When shopping, ask yourself:
Does this colour brighten my complexion or dull it?
Does it feel harmonious with my natural features?
Can I style it in a way that feels current?
The 90s offer a palette that is subtle, wearable, and chic. It’s one of those rare decades where having a cool undertone actually felt "cool".
Overall, the 90s may appear simple at first glance, but their colour palettes are quietly powerful. From cool minimalism to earthy grunge to soft femininity, there’s something for every colouring — if you know where to look.
Once you understand your natural palette, vintage shopping becomes intentional. You start choosing what truly suits you, wasting less, and, in a small way, making more mindful choices for the world around you.
Love vintage?
