Each decade can be defined by major political, social, economic and cultural moments. The ’90s are no exception. Dance and synth pop and new wave music turned into grunge and rap. The internet became more widely used and connection became more instantaneous. President Bill Clinton and his scandal with Monica Lewinsky captivated Americans, as did the Columbine High School shooting and the O.J. Simpson murder trial.
In addition to the culture that defined the last decade of the 1990s, fashion and footwear also had a moment of its own. Black leather, miniskirts, slip dresses and more were seen, in addition to shoes like thick platforms, combat boots, delicate strappy sandals, chunky sneakers and more. Many of these silhouettes have come back into style, while others never went out. Scroll through to skip down memory lane and see the standout shoe trends from the ’90s.
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Popular ’90s shoe trends
Image Credit: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images Pamela Anderson wearing sequin platform heels in 1996.
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Popular ’90s shoe trends
Image Credit: Brian Rasic/Getty Images Destiny’s Child members in 1998 wearing black leather boots.
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Popular ’90s shoe trends
Image Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Image Drew Barrymore wearing Converse sneakers in 1990.
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Popular ’90s shoe trends
Image Credit: Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images A model in strappy sandals from the Christian Dior Ready to Wear Summer 1996 runway show.
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Popular ’90s shoe trends
Image Credit: Getty Images Princess Diana in October 1994 wearing chunky sneakers.
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Popular ’90s shoe trends
Image Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Julia Roberts in 1991 wearing black Western boots.
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Popular ’90s shoe trends
Image Credit: Pierre Vauthey/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images A model walks in the Chanel 1997 spring-summer fashion show wearing clear platform sandals.
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Popular ’90s shoe trends
Image Credit: Sam Levi/WireImage The Hanson brothers in Dr. Martens boots, skater sneakers and black leather boots.
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Popular ’90s shoe trends
Image Credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Sarah Jessica Parker in 1993 wearing black clogs.
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Popular ’90s shoe trends
Image Credit: Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Halle Berry in 1998 wearing black slide sandals.
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Popular ’90s shoe trends
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc Demi Moore in Dr. Martens boots during 1993 ShoWest in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Popular ’90s shoe trends
Image Credit: BERTRAND RINDOFF PETROFF / AGENCE ANGELI Platforms worn on a model during Vivienne Westwood 1993 RTW fashion show.