Velvet & Skinny Jeans: September 2026 Is An Edgy Revival Of '90s Basics

Welcome to Outdated to Outstanding, a monthly column where we discuss the trends that are clawing their way out of obscurity and back into the mainstream.

Fall is nearly upon us once more, and as September 2026 approaches, the top trends of the autumnal season are becoming perfectly clear. Interestingly, many of this fall's biggest fashion moments are revamped versions of trends from the 1990s. Next to the early 2000s, the '90s are one of the 2020s' favorite decades to take inspiration from. Many of the biggest fashion trends of the early aughts and '90s are coming back in style, with celebs, like Gabbriette and Charlize Theron, and everyday people incorporating retro-inspired ensembles and accessories into their closets.

For fall specifically, we're seeing crushed velvet, over-the-knee boots, cool-toned eye makeup, and more adding edgy touches to our ensembles — albeit in new, fresh styles that better suit the offbeat energy of the year. If you're unsure about revisiting your favorite '90s trends, read on to discover more about the ways in which we're modernizing the edgiest vintage basics for September 2026.

Velvet was one of the most popular fabrics of the 1990s, with celebrities like Courteney Cox, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Gwyneth Paltrow regularly sporting velvet slip dresses and even suits on the red carpet. The material wasn't just limited to clothing, either — handbags, Mary Jane shoes, scrunchies, knee-high boots, and hats were all made in moody shades of the beloved fabric. Velvet's edgy vibe makes it perfect for the cooler months, and we're bringing it back once again in September 2026. 

The fabric had a brief revival around 2015 and 2016 — and plush velvet had a short-lived moment in winter 2023 — but velvet is projected to be one of the most dominant trends of fall 2026. However, rather than the crushed velvet slips that were popular in the '90s and 2010s, we're now taking a unique approach to the luxe material. Glamorous velvet maxi dresses, tailored trousers, and jackets are all the rage this season. Cool-weather colors like green, mustard yellow, and dark blue will join '90s burgundy as the leading shades for our velvet ensembles, giving a modern touch to the classic material. 

Skinny jeans were among 2026's most outdated denim trends earlier this year, but in a true sartorial plot twist, slim-cut jeans à la those worn by off-duty '90s supermodels are returning to the mainstream this fall. Celebrities like Kate Moss were often papped throughout the '90s and early 2000s rocking slim-cut skinny jeans, which are inherently chic and require little effort to style. Their low-key edge and sleek lines had celebs and everyday people alike obsessed throughout the decade, and now, we're bringing them back.

Unlike the super-tight skinny jeans of the 2010s, the '90s slim-cut skinny jean is universally flattering and versatile. For September 2026, we're styling these jeans with retro leather jackets, streamlined blouses, and backless loafers – the 2016 shoe trend making a major comeback for fall 2026. To channel the moody, '90s off-duty-model vibe, try a pair of dark-wash jeans. Indigo denim is one of the leading trends for the fall and lends itself perfectly to an edgy retro look.

Short haircuts are among the hottest 2026 hair trends, and this fall, cropped hair in bixie cuts, blunt bobs, and shaggy wolf cuts are incredibly on-trend. However, one of the most unique takes on the classic bob is the "boy bob." This style is inspired by '90s boy band icons like Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys fame, who rocked ear-grazing haircuts with more length in the front than the back. The cut was popular with young men throughout the decade, but we're now seeing the style re-emerge in women's fashion. 

Today's celebs, like Charlize Theron, have embraced the boy band bob for the second half of 2026. As if looking like the "Odyssey" star weren't enough, symmetrical styles like the boy bob are relatively low-maintenance compared to other short haircuts, which makes them perfect for busy seasons like autumn. 

Nothing says "fall" like a chic pair of boots. In the '90s, the most popular style of cool-weather footwear was classic over-the-knee boots. Celebs like Fran Drescher popularized the look, pairing boots with sheer black tights, miniskirts, and turtleneck sweaters. High boots in quality materials like leather and suede are incredibly versatile, which is something women in the '90s knew quite well. Now, in September 2026, we're seeing them return in new, fun styles. 

There are endless ways to pull off your favorite over-the-knee boots, from kitten-heel leather thigh-highs to ruched above-the-knee boots. That said, they're being styled quite differently from the over-the-knee boots of the '90s. Instead of tights and miniskirts, we're seeing these boots paired with leather trousers, midiskirts, and full-length coats for over-the-top outfits that make retro style meet the bold aesthetics of the 2020s. 

Makeup in the 1990s was notoriously moody and experimental. Countless celebs, like "Kiss of the Spider Woman" star Jennifer Lopez, regularly donned reflective silver pigments, dark smokey eyeshadows, dark lipstick, and thin brows — all of which provided a vampy look that we're still in love with decades later. Legendary makeup artists like Kevyn Aucoin pioneered the look, ensuring that their clients toed the line between chic and edgy. The look is so timeless that there are many celebs who still rock '90s makeup for glamorous red carpets and daily outings alike. Like other retro trends set to make comebacks in the latter half of 2026, cool-toned grungy eye makeup will be at the forefront of beauty this September.

While modern celebrities like model and actor Gabbriette have been trying to revive the look for years, gray-and-black eyeshadow looks are making their mainstream return this season. Matte gray eyeshadow is swiped across the upper eyelid, while black pigment is added to the outer corners (often flicked into a dramatic wing) and beneath the eye. The simple yet effective technique results in one of the most widely beloved makeup looks of the '90s.