By: SEO Mavens

That rich, vibrant shades of purple suits were undeniable kings of the 90s suiting scene. Whether talking about the lush aubergine tones favored by dapper rap impresarios or those eye-searing synthetic purples that could sear retinas at 20 paces — this regal hue was unavoidable.

Oversized & Baggy Fits

And you’d better believe oversized, billowing cuts and exaggerated shoulders were very much the move back in that delightfully unsubtle era. The bigger the lapels, the more swingingly wide those trouser legs, the better! Subtlety was for chumps when you could drown in acres of wooly excess. 

Of course, no proper 90s suit would be complete without employing some truly wild patterns and fabric textures: audacious shadow plaids, trippy psychedelic swirls, or even those gloriously tacky faux-brocade damask prints. Basically, anything that could induce instant vertigo if stared at too long. 

Then you had the more irreverent, anti-establishment segments who rebelled against the stuffy suiting paradigm altogether. Grunge rockers and skaters opted for thrifted, oversized suit jackets worn ironically with ripped jeans and weathered boots. A delicious two fingers to sartorial propriety.

Outfit Inspiration: From Grunge to Hip-Hop

So, for your 90s party ensemble, you could go full-tilt with a massively oversized double-breasted jacket in a sublimely lurid purple/magenta windowpane plaid. Pair it with billowing pleated slacks that pool onto the floor, plus a blindingly shiny sateen shirt and velvet vest situation. Top it off with a jaunty newsboy cap for that Damon Dash-meets-Notorious B.I.G. flavor. 

Or you could nod to the grunge/skater aesthetic with an absurdly boxy pinstriped blazer slung over some artfully distressed denim and a faded band tee. Rugged lace-up boots and maybe even a knitted rasta beanie to really commit to the “idgaf” vibe. 

Denim Everything

The delightfully unhinged denim obsession of the 90s! An era when the concept of “too much denim” simply did not compute. 

The humble jeans transcended mere casualwear back then. Denim was effectively its own subculture, with disparate scenes desperately trying to one-up each other in new ways to denim-ify every possible garment. 

On the grunge/rock side of things, the Canadian tuxedo—that iconic pairing of a denim jacket with matching jeans—was the ultimate power move. Sported by everyone from Britpop heartthrobs to West Coast skater punks, it screamed, “I’m too blasé and irreverent for your societal norms!” 

Meanwhile, the hip-hop world was busy taking denim maximalism to its ultimate zenith. This is not just the standard denim separates, but denim shirts, denim bucket hats, hell even denim overalls worn with serene insouciance. If Diddy or Nas could have somehow integrated denim into their footwear, you know they would have. 

So, in that delightfully anarchic spirit, why not attempt a genre-smashing fusion of these disparate denim dialects for your 90s party look? A daring high/low mashup of hip-hop bravado and grunge nonchalance. 

Something like an oversized, boxy purple plaid suit jacket — the kind Biggie himself would have draped over 20 crisp white tees. But then you’d pair it with some utterly shredded, paint-splattered skater jeans that stopped just short of being hoisted up by duct tape. The ultimate “idgaf” energy. 

Or flip the script with a sleek double-breasted purple blazer, but pair it with some classic Levi’s 501s that have been surgically transformed into drop-crotch, baggy hip-hop denim. Rugged work boots and maybe even a Canadian tuxedo denim vest layered underneath for some added 90s chaos. 

The key is to seek out those clashing juxtapositions that shouldn’t work…but somehow absolutely do when filtered through that delirious 90s cultural kaleidoscope. Preppy meets streetwise. Luxe meets distress. A beautiful defiance of all sensible style codifications. 

And please — do not sleep on the importance of carefully curated accessories to fully cement the vibe! A fitted Yankee cap worn slightly askew, some chunky silver chains and rings, and maybe even a pair of tiny matrix-style sunglasses to complete that air of IDGAF cool. 

Just make sure to commit to the entire aesthetic with utter confidence. None of that sheepish “I’m doing a costume” energy. You need to embody the spirit of those 90s fashion renegades who truly thought their outlandish denim ensembles were the absolute epitome of unimpeachable style.

Accessorize Like a Pro: The Finishing Touches 

When your base outfit is already gloriously maximal with bold colors and patterns galore, a “less is more” approach to accouterments is usually advisable. The last thing you want is to look like some gaudy novelty act or cheesy period piece extra. 

Instead, I’d recommend seeking out just a few carefully curated accessory pieces that amplify the overall 90s aesthetic with an understated wink. Think subtly nostalgic nods that spark recognition and knowing smiles from the era’s initiates. 

For headwear, you really can’t go wrong with a classic 90s baseball cap or fitted lid. Maybe a vintage Tommy Hilfiger or Polo number worn at a cheeky angle. Or lean into the hip-hop influence with a slick Nautica or FUBU cap. Just avoid anything too pristine – a little tasteful distressing adds authenticity. 

Sunglasses are also an easy way to channel some 90s irreverence. Tiny Matrix-style micro shades were all the rage. Or you could go full Morpheus with some sleek wraparound shields. And do not forget the iconic sporty visors that allowed you to channel both Pamela Anderson and Dennis Rodman simultaneously. 

For footwear, chunky skate shoes or classic Timberland boots are obvious 90s power moves. You could even go full Seinfeld with some crisp, chunky white dad sneakers. Though you might avoid anything too clunky or exaggerated — you want to straddle that line between retro cool and outright parody. 

The same judicious approach applies to any other accessory considerations. Maybe a slick leather fanny pack worn cross-body for stashing your belongings. Or an utterly enormous, absurdly cushioned puffer jacket that could double as a sleeping bag. Shearling coats and bomber jackets were also huge. 

When it comes to jewelry, oversized Cuban link chains and bracelet stacks were the ultimate 90s hip-hop flex. But again, maybe just one or two statement pieces to avoid overwhelming your already loud suit situation. 

And please — tread very lightly around the idea of incorporating 90s novelty printed tees or whimsical graphic patterns. The last thing you want is to inadvertently channel big Zubaz energy or look like a relic from a 1997 Delia catalog. Some sartorial ghosts are best left unbeckoned. 

Instead, focus on immaculate tailoring and fabrication for your suit itself. Seek out exquisite vintage pieces or work with skilled artisans to custom create something that transcends novelty and enters the realm of sartorial artistry. That way, your accessories can be more tonal enhancements rather than desperate attention-grabbers.

Key Points 

Whichever route you go, the true key to nailing 90s suiting nirvana is to absolutely LEAN INTO the audacious, unabashedly excessive spirit of the era. More was emphatically more back then — both in terms of silhouette proportions and unrestrained pattern/color clashing. 

But you’ll also want to imbue those loud sartorial choices with the perfect hint of tongue-in-cheek self-awareness. A deft wink acknowledging that, yes, you recognize how utterly unhinged those getups were…while also reveling in their gloriously gaudy absurdity. 

So prepare to be the most delightfully gawky, brashly colored peacock at this thematic fete! Source some exquisite vintage pieces from the era, or hit up modern designers doing an exceptional job at reinterpreting those iconic 90s suiting aesthetics.

Published by: Martin De Juan