Tommy Jeans Revisited collection
It’s been said that time is a flat circle, and perhaps no industry reflects that more than fashion.
What was cool 20 years ago always somehow becomes cool today; from bell-bottoms to big bangs and bucket hats. More than a few brands have gone back into their closets to resell old material with a modern twist, re-engaging old customers while gaining new fans looking to jump on the vintage bandwagon.
See also: Trend Alert: Luxury Men's Bags Are Selling (and Re-Selling) Like Crazy
If you’re looking to time-travel with your fits, we’ve put together a list of our favorite brands offering vintage classics for a new crowd. Put on your old mixtape, grab your landline and tell the world you want your MTV, because we’re going back in time to see some new favorites.
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One of the more popular brands of the 1990s and today, Tommy Hilfiger, is no stranger to pop culture. The American fashion company frequently works with the top musicians and of-the-moment stars, and some of its latest collections bring ‘90s collaborations to a new generation.
Recent drops go retro with graphics and works by musical icons Britney Spears, TLC and the Backstreet Boys. The classic Tommy Jeans logo is splashed across classic “tour” tees and other merch, offering a high-end look with the feel of a concert. It’s the best of both worlds for those looking for a good Saturday night outfit. For those a little more old-school, there’s also a few items of Rolling Stones merch; not too shabby.
Heritage motifs complement the bold, sportif aesthetic of #Polo Hi Tech, backstage at #RL50.#RalphLauren #NYFW pic.twitter.com/czaafuMKtn
— Ralph Lauren (@RalphLauren) September 14, 2018
Ralph Lauren has decades of experience fashioning the preppy crowd, so it has plenty of retro styles and classics to love. Despite its laurels, Ralph Lauren continues to push the fold with its latest drops. One re-release features the brand’s famous Polo Hi Tech collection with clashing stripes, and mismatching sleeves and chests. It’s one of the reasons Polo Sport became a top brand of the ‘90s, as athletes and rec players repped the brand, bringing it into the field. Since 2018, Polo has re-releases some Hi Tech looks with new splashes, including a crew neck with the simple motto “Climb” on the chest, mismatching sleeves and colors on a hoodie, and a mountain climbing windbreaker with a pocket high on the chest.
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Jean-Paul Gautier is a French haute couture legend. Maybe you know him from cryptic campaigns and cyberpunk styles. Maybe you caught the famous name drop in American Psycho. With all that style history, the brand is quite aware of the recent surge in ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia, and after a fashion hiatus in 2021, it was time to release some new classics.
Recent drops feature a wide variety of Gautier classics revamped for a new generation, including guest designers, like Bella Hadid, who put their own spin on the famed sailor suits.
Gautier’s previous work has also been featured in a number of recent pop culture phenomena. HBO’s Euphoria, for example, featured lead character Rue, played by Zendaya, in a 1994 Gautier in the show’s season two premiere.
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As one of the top designers in the industry’s modern history, Jacobs has re-released a number of collections. In fact, he may have been ahead of the nostalgia curve, as his first ‘90s re-release occurred in 2018 with the retooled “grunge” collection, in partnership with the Perry Ellis company.
With flannel shirts, graphic tees and wrap dresses, the collection was a major statement for Jacobs and his company, and drew him much outcry from the industry when it was first released. Some said the aesthetic had no place on seventh avenue; but Bella Hadid and Dree Hemingway modeled the re-release, and it became a hit.
While Jacobs’ tenure as creative director at Louis Vuitton was not without its critics, plenty of his work from the time period has been recently celebrated and re-released for public consumption, such as the famous black bag plastered with the LV monogram, and other anniversary bags, such as the Odeon and backpack.
idc if the actual grunge community hated it the perry ellis ss1993 collection by marc jacobs was HOT pic.twitter.com/jLEUyot9mX
— ModernGurlz (@ModernGurlzz) April 30, 2021
Mitchell and Ness capitalizes on sports nostalgia for a new audience, selling authentic merchandise with a hefty price tag. Established in 1904, the company is less of a fashion house and more of a “Hall of Fame,” exhibiting some of the most famous—and infamous—jerseys in the history of sports, with hundreds of record books on how to design and repair some of the oldest designs. The brand’s work has become even more ubiquitous in recent years with the advent of online sales, as jerseys ripped straight from the ‘90s featuring old designs, famous players and authentic sweatwork gain incredibly high bids. The price is worth it to own a piece of history. If you wear it to your local YMCA, be sure you have the jump shot to back it up.
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While this retail giant technically does not release its own merchandise, it would be impossible to write this list without mentioning the hefty amount of nostalgic pieces found at Urban Outfitters. The store’s website includes an entire section dedicated to 2000s nostalgia, boasting Juicy Couture velour track pants, Steve Madden heels, butterfly hair clips and more.
There’s a few oddballs to make you the talk of the bonfire, including graphic tees with dolphins ripped straight from a computer screensaver and a Mount Rushmore of wolves. You can even buy resale Ralph Lauren. For those looking for a sporty touch, there are numerous sweatshirts that feature your favorite NFL or NHL team’s ‘90s logo, as well as plenty of collegiate apparel. For a rock aesthetic, there’s plenty of patterned shirts and flannels that’ll give you that good-old teen spirit a la Kurt Cobain or Dave Grohl.
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Known for its popularity in the pop-punk scene, Converse is one of the most recognizable styles for young folks everywhere. Recent drops play to this narrative, bringing both modern twists and retro styles to the classic sneakers. One recent drop, appropriately titled New Vintage, saw Converse collaborate with Korean brand thisisneverthat on classic low-tops and Chuck Taylors with a star pushed in the middle. The shoes feature plenty of ‘90s references, with retro logos plastered on the soles and tongues, and felt material to impress even the most intense punk rockers.
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This sunwear outlet has been a top brands for teens and young adults for more than 40 years, and with a history like that, it’s easy to reach back into the closet to re-release cool digs. PacSun’s specialty lies in the fusion of old and new. Graphic t-shirts feature retro logos, while womenswear takes cues from nostalgic styles and cheeky Playboy logos. High-rise boyfriend jeans, anyone? You can also find ‘90s-style platform shoes from Adidas; and cropped, striped cardigans ripped straight from your favorite high school movies. Whatever your inner 17-year-old wants, chances are, PacSun’s got it.
Kobe Bryant’s dunk contest sneakers – the adidas EQT Elevation – is releasing again: https://t.co/dJspTHYKOP pic.twitter.com/yBkbQVDWXN
— Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) January 12, 2022
We can’t finish an article about nostalgic brands without mentioning one of the more prolific categories: sneakers! Both Nike and Adidas are known for re-releasing old shoes. Just this year, fans clamored for classic Nike Air Jordans. The third and 12th iterations are scheduled to hit shelves once again in 2022, while Adidas will honor the late Kobe Bryant by re-releasing the shoes he wore for the 1997 NBA Dunk Contest.
Photography by: Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger
