January 09, 2025
As If! The 1990s Pop-Cultural Influences
Relive the ‘90s before you attend ‘90s Night at Fernbank
The ‘90s have been making a big comeback lately – from music and technology to fashion. Fernbank is throwing a bangin’ party to bring back the decade that brought us boy bands, beepers and butterfly clips. Relive some of the biggest pop-cultural influences as you prepare for ‘90s Night on Jan. 31, 2025, at 7 p.m.
Music
The ‘90s brought a variety of music genres and new styles emerged that are still seen as influences in today’s music.Grunge was the buzzword of the ‘90s, with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains making their names known. Hip-Hop also saw a rise in popularity, with Tupac, Dr. Dre Wu-Tang Clan and more.
Later in the decade, Pop took over with boy bands! Most notably N*Sync, the Backstreet Boys and female pop singers like Britney Spears and Cristina Aguilera took over the top chart spots.
Other genres, such as punk, ska, swing, and even Gregorian Chants(!), gained popularity.
Fashion
Need some inspiration for your outfit? Here were some of the popular styles of the ‘90s.
Grunge
Not only was the music a huge deal, but the fashion (or lack thereof) also became a phenomenon. Oversized flannel, ripped jeans, knit caps, layering and combat boots were the (ab)normal. Watch the movie Singles or the show My So-Called Life for some inspiration.
Preppy
After grunge started its decline, the preppy look took over. Bright and colorful with miniskirts (often in plaid), baby tees, headbands, Mary Janes, tracksuits, crop tops and platform shoes. Clueless and Empire Records epitomize this style.
Hip-Hop
With the rise of hip-hop music came a rise in hip-hop fashion. Oversized streetwear, Timberland boots, baseball and bucket hats, tracksuits, gold jewelry, sportswear and military looks marked this style.
Technology
The ‘90s saw the rise of the Internet, Microsoft, CDs and DVDs, video games, beepers and cell phones. It was also the era of the Hubble Telescope, GPS and cloning. The ‘90s were an important time in science and technology, ushering in the new millennium and all the advances we enjoy today (while still also enjoying the vintage tech!).
Whatever your style, you’ll enjoy a nostalgic field trip to Fernbank for the ‘90s with music all night, courtesy of Amp’d Entertainment, and access to all of Fernbank’s exhibits. Cocktails, craft beers and small plates will be available for purchase. Get tickets now.
Can't make '90s Night? Check out Fernbank After Dark, a 21+ event every second Friday of the month.
Image Credits & Copyright
Singles: ©1992 Warner Bros.
Nirvana ©1992 Rolling Stone
Clueless: ©1995 Paramount Pictures
Empire Records: ©1995 Warner Bros.
Wu-Tang Clan: Courtesy of Getty Images
Pearl Jam: © Gie Knaeps—Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Dr. Dre: Photo: © Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Green Day: © Ken Schles
Britney Spears: © Jive Records
Fernbank is a nonprofit natural history museum, giant screen theater and old-growth forest, and is not affiliated with Fernbank Science Center, which operates as a division of DeKalb County Schools.
