9 Pics Of Tiffani Thiessen That Prove She Was The Ultimate '90s Cool Girl

What's not to love about a good old '90s teen TV show: A group of high school friends bumbling their way through life, love, and friendship? Grab the popcorn. Back then, the cast members of those shows, in America's living rooms weekly, were the crème de la crème of young Hollywood stardom. Tiffani Thiessen would know the game well. In the '90s, she went by Tiffani Amber, and she was introduced to us first as Kelly Kapowski on the sitcom "Saved by the Bell" that ran for four seasons, from 1989 to 1992. Later, in 1994, she'd join the cast of the mega hit "Beverly Hills, 90210" as Valerie Malone for the back half of its run.

A new batch of viewers are discovering those beloved shows — and also, rightfully, that Thiessen was one of the it-girls of the era. Her photo was regularly snapped while out and about at buzzy events rocking denim overalls, platform sandals, chunky highlights, and other '90s style notes that'll forever be in our hearts. 

Was any formal event in the '90s complete without the updo? You know the one: face-framing strands left loose in the front and the rest twisted up into whimsical knots with spiky pieces jutting out this way and that. That's exactly the 'do Tiffany Thiessen opted for to attend the Friends Helping Friends gala in 1997. Funnily, the honorees for that year's gala were the cast of "Friends," other stars who helped define the '90s. To complement the hair, Thiessen chose a hot pink slinky gown with an of-the-era cowl neck.

Blue jean overalls are making a comeback, and no wonder, because the chill look definitely dominated the '90s. Young people everywhere had a pair or two or three hanging in their closets — including Tiffany Thiessen, it would seem. The actor busted out the medium-wash denim look to let loose and play putt-putt golf during a Pediatric AIDS Foundation event in Beverly Hills in 1997. Extra points for the platform sneakers, another beloved darling of the '90s and perfect for a young actor like Thiessen. 

Tiffani Thiessen reached for a look that was sure to turn up the volume when she attended the Los Angeles Philharmonic's season opening gala in December 1998. The actor took on the sultry, semi-lingerie look that was ultra popular in the late '90s and early aughts. She draped her frame in a black satiny floor-length slip dress and sheer shawl for the black-tie event. The matching black bag and simple strappy sandals were the perfect delicate touches that didn't distract. 

It seems like Tiffani Thiessen was in on the preppy private school plaid trend back in 1990, long before Cher and Dionne. Thiessen was clearly far from clueless because she knew that one of the best unexpected ways to style a blazer is to play against the potential stiffness and seriousness by wearing it with casual, even playful pieces. She proved the point here by pairing the green and yellow printed jacket with a no-fuss stretchy crop top and shorts set. And the tights were so '90s punk.

Seeing that Tiffani Thiessen walked the red carpet at the premiere of "Can't Hardly Wait" is enough nostalgia to warm millennial and Gen X hearts the world over. Thiessen celebrated the release of the iconic '90s teen movie in Hollywood in June 1998 dressed in a simple black calf-length shift dress jazzed up with cheetah print platform sandals. As if that wasn't plenty fun enough, she wore chunky golden blond highlights in her thick brunette hair, cut in a blunt lob.

If you're wondering how to rock the '90s minimalism look that's making a comeback, then pin this look to your mood board. At a Hugo Boss party in Los Angeles in 1997, Tiffani Thiessen threw on a long black overcoat with a chill top and slacks, both in smoky gray, for a muted and quietly elegant look. But Thiessen's copper-colored hair and bright makeup brought lightness to the overall look, and helped keep it from feeling boring or bogged down.

Alongside "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Friends" was also hugely popular in the '90s, spawning countless iterations of Rachel's famous (infamous?) haircut from the early seasons. Tiffani Thiessen put her own spin on the look, rocking the rounded layered bob to the 18th annual CFDA American Fashion Awards in June 1999. About the outfit, she wore a bubblegum pink strapless dress with intricate floral detailing throughout — another beloved memento of the late '90s that you could still totally bust out today. 

Tiffani Thiessen showed up to the "Tribute to Style" exhibition and concert on the famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills in November 1999 looking, indeed, stylish and sophisticated. She donned a skintight glitter-covered bodycon dress in a simple silhouette that truly let the shimmer lead the way. She matched the champagne-colored dress with a bag in the same fabric, a satiny shawl, and strappy mule sandals. Her slicked-back hair with the deep side part only added to the elegance and refinement. 

If you're after ideas for stylish ways to wear denim beyond jeans, consider a little white dress like the one Tiffani Thiessen wore in July 1990. This one is so deliciously '90s it might bring a nostalgic tear to your eye, but it could easily be updated for today with just a few tweaks. But it's already darling as styled, with the chunky brown belt, gold hardware, and little front pockets. And we love Thiessen's gold earrings and frizzy hair — a clear relic of the prior decade: the wild '80s.