Why were clothes so baggy in the 1990’s and how can we stop it from happening again?

TheDroog · Sep 24, 2009

Here’s what I know. I was a teenager in the 1990’s, and when I started buying my own clothes, every OTR clothing store sold baggy clothes. You would walk into a Gap or Macy’s or J.Crew and find triple-pleated khakis. Button-down shirts fit like potato sacks. This is what all normal clothes looked like. And yet, history and practicality have demonstrated that a trim silhouette always makes you look taller and thinner. Basically, if you are normal-sized, you look better in non-baggy clothes. My question is this: What the HELL happened in the 90’s??? My interest is multi-fold. Hopefully someone older than me put the 1990’s into context. Was baggy actually fashionable? Or did people stop caring? Why did it last so long? And what can be done to stop it from returning? Personally, I like walking into Gap or Brooks Brothers or Barney’s and finding slim clothes that fit me well.

TyCooN · Sep 24, 2009

They were hood niggas back then.

justtemple · Sep 24, 2009

blame hip hop and that god-dammed mtv

splattered · Sep 24, 2009

Originally Posted by justtemple

blame hip hop and that god-dammed mtv

Pretty much

Rosenberg · Sep 24, 2009

what, you mean to tell me youre not anxiously awaiting the return of the jnco fit?

mlyngard · Sep 24, 2009

Originally Posted by justtemple

blame hip hop and that god-dammed mtv

(*takes dentures out of mouth to say this*)

Agreed, it was a totally overboard movement. I hated it. Especially as an east coast city dweller. Just dumb-ass **** everywhere.

brad-t · Sep 24, 2009

ahahaha i used to ******* love my baggy clothes

brad-t · Sep 24, 2009

me at thirteen years old in my then-girlfriend's surprisingly eeriee looking room YEAHHHHHHHHHHH

onion · Sep 24, 2009

Originally Posted by justtemple

blame hip hop and that god-dammed mtv

I really don't think this is it. Very few people listened to hip hop in the early 80's, yet that is when the baggy clothing trend started.

I would not argue that the baggy trend TODAY was based heavily on hip hop though.

mlyngard · Sep 24, 2009

And, as always, you can thank the chain store boardroom idiots for making that movement a household necessity. It's the hunt for something new, just for the sake of newness. Plus, baggy **** flatters the most overweight people (i.e. 75% of america), so hence - not scary or challenging and everyone goes home feeling fit and fashionable.

ctrlaltelite · Sep 24, 2009

culturally, the 90's was an awkward phase. between the "greed is good/me-era" of the 80's and today's notions of organic food and supporting local communities and creative economies, music and movies were very angst-ridden and plenty of artists were still trying to "find their place" so aesthetically it kind of fits, towards the end of the 90's indie kids and artists (like REAL indie kids, not 'people who know who deathcab and bright eyes are') started to favor vintage or all-black tight clothes and tighter bootcut jeans.

granted, many subcultures have been doing this all along, but it wasn't until then that the style hit the mainstream again in full-force.

randomkoreandude · Sep 24, 2009

the problem is that people are still wearing baggy clothing. i was at the metro stop and was so tired last night, so i just sat and looked around at DC populous and we have some TERRIBLY dressed people in this city.

its MAYBE not AS baggy as back then but people just do not wear "fitted" clothing or jsut dont care what they wear.

ctrlaltelite · Sep 24, 2009

also, keep in mind during the 60s/70s americans were a lot less sedentary.

...now we live in the era of segway tours.

splattered · Sep 24, 2009

Originally Posted by Uncontrol

me at thirteen years old in my then-girlfriend's surprisingly eeriee looking room

YEAHHHHHHHHHHH

Haha that's cute

Nereis · Sep 24, 2009

One word. Drape.

Why were clothes so baggy in the 1990’s and how can we stop it from happening again?

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