'90s Shoes That Will Make You Scream, "I Remember Those!"

Getty
Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

Whether your fashion icon was the ultrapreppy Cher Horowitz from the movie Clueless or you preferred the tomboyish sensibilities of songbird Aaliyah, the '90s were a time of great style-setters and even better footwear options. Depending on what part of the country you grew up in, you saw the rise of different trends. Some girls in your school chose to risk their lives — and ankle ligaments — while teetering along in impossibly high flip-flops that, because they were so heavy, never actually flipped and flopped, where others went way grunge and stomped the yard in nothing but Docs. Indulge your affinity for the finest fashion decade there ever was and see how many of these throwback shoes you remember wearing . . . or wanting.

The Original Adidas Sambas

The Adidas Samba Classic Black ($70) saw lots of action in the mid-'90s. Yours probably faded very quickly, but that didn't stop you from wearing them with jean shorts every day.

Rocket Dog Bigtop Webbing Platform Sandal

Ah, yes. The sky-high Rocket Dog Bigtop Webbing Platform Sandal ($20, originally $40) that always caused your bootcut jeans to bunch and billow underneath your feet in the most unflattering way.

Dr. Martens 1460 W Women's Boots

Was Singles, like, the best movie you ever saw? Did you have doe eyes for the heartbreaker Matt Dillon? Then you owned Dr. Martens 1460 W Women's Boots ($135), but yours probably had a supercool steel toe that you needed people to know you had. And you probably kicked doors — albeit lightly — to show that feature off.

Steve Madden Women's Slinky Elastic Flatform Slides

Attention, Delia's-with-an-asterisk catalog shoppers! Calling all Contempo Casual girls. The Steve Madden Women's Slinky Elastic Flatform Slides ($69) were not only your favorite shoe then, but you've probably scooped them up now too.

Reebok Women's Classic Leather Casual Sneakers

If you had a pair of Reebok Women's Classic Leather Casual Sneakers from Finish Line ($75), you kept them looking as clean as possible and probably wore them with slouch socks.

Adidas Adilette Rubber Slide Sandals

Another shoe that has recently reentered the spotlight is the Adidas Adilette Rubber Slide Sandal ($47). If you wore these back in the day, you likely had socks on too.

Skechers Platform Sneakers

You couldn't get enough of the Spice Girls and wore your Skechers Sneakers ($85) with a short denim skirt — or even track pants.

Nike 95

Sneaker-lovers will just refer to the Nike 95 leather and mesh trainers ($125) as '95s, because that's the first year Nike debuted these.

Men's Simple OS Sneaker Casual Shoe

If you wore Men's Simple OS Sneaker Casual Shoe ($70), you probably liked boys on skateboards who did skateboard things.

Floaties

You likely wore your slippery Floatie Sugar Shoes ($37) with a terrycloth robe when you got out of the shower.

Timberland Classic 6 Premium Boot Men's Lace-Up Boots

Growing up in Los Angeles, where there was essentially zero need for a weather-proof boot of any kind, didn't stop the Timberland Classic 6 Premium Boot Men's Lace-Up Boots ($190) from becoming seriously popular.

Nike Women's Classic Cortez Lace-Up Sneakers

While the Nike Women's Classic Cortez Lace-Up Sneakers ($70) were revived last year, they were equally popular in the early '90s.

Airwalk One Random Sneaker

Flashback to the skater generation when you wore these chunky Airwalk One Random Sneakers ($40, originally $80).

Nike 97 Ultra

If you leaned more sneakerhead than skatergirl, then you definitely owned a pair of Nike 97 Ultra '17 Sneakers ($199), which were initially released in the simple silver color in 1997.

Be in the Know
Great. Thanks for signing up!
Sign up for astrology, pop culture moments, TikTok trends, relationship advice, and much more.
We'll see you in your inbox
By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Related