FOXIf Beverly Hills, 90210 premiered while you were still in elementary school, then you spent a fair amount of time thinking about what high school would be like, with its parking lot full of BMWs and one station wagon, its one class a day, its illicit trips to Mexico with your rich boyfriend and its hallways full of 25-year-olds.
All the while, you just assumed you would have immaculately blown-out bangs, jeans that taper at the ankle, brightly colored socks and vests and blazers galore! Skirts over shorts suit your fancy? Go for it! And as for you fellows, tucking in your shirt is always the right answer—unless you want people to think you're some James Dean type who lives in a hotel.
Such was the style when the Fox classic premiered in 1990 with its well-heeled interpretation of what was going on in the world of teen fashion. A few vestiges of the '80s remained, particularly in the liberal use of hairspray and the shape of the jeans, soon to be taken over by grunge and the ubiquitous relaxed-clingy, dainty-clunky combinations (skin-tight tops and baggy jeans, mini skirts and combat boots, etc.).
And while we didn't notice while we were living it, the O.G. 90210 was with us through exactly "the '90s" before ending in 2000. Meaning, it took us from flannel and ripped jeans, equestrian blazers, baby-doll dresses and Doc Martens all the way to chokers, layered pixie haircuts and slip dresses.
All of which is in again, so feel free to shop this gallery for 21st-century inspiration.
Meanwhile, you may not be aware that, today in Chicago, Luke Perry, Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, Jason Priestley, Gabrielle Carteris, Christine Elise (Emily Valentine!), James Eckhouse (Jim Walsh!) and Vincent Young (Noah!) are again appearing at RewindCon, a massive celebration of '80s and '90s entertainment that kicked off yesterday featuring a bunch of the era's most familiar faces from TV, music and film.
Not a drill, there will be members of 'N Sync, 98 Degrees and O'Town there.
Better yet, a portion of the proceeds are going to Paul Walker's ROWW foundation to help keep the late actor's legacy of humanitarian work alive.