The late nineties… what a time to be alive. The world was
changing, a new millennium was approaching, and time as we know it was
evolving. Many important things happened in the year 1996, but in my personal
opinion, the greatest event happened on October 29th – I was born. Yes, I was a ‘90s baby, but unfortunately, I wasn’t old enough
to fully experience everything that era had to offer. I was born during Madonna’s
reign, the remnants of the infamous OJ Simpson trial, and a time in beauty that
is slowly creeping its way back into today.
I was born on a sunny Tuesday morning at 9:24 a.m. The weather was a perfect 65 degrees; not too hot, not too cold, all you needed was a light jacket. Nothing out of the blue really happened this day, except for the fact that the world was about to change forever due to my presence. The New York Times had cover stories such as: 'For Big Labor, And New Chief, A Time to Smile' and 'Clinton Hails Drop in Deficit, Declaring America's Awake' (funny how the Clinton's are still in the news almost 20 years later) (New York Times, 1996).
More News
As I mentioned earlier, I was born during the aftermaths of the OJ Simpson trial. Although the trial was technically over, on October 29th, a police officer admitted to hiding information while testifying. This trial was definitely a messy and confusing one, so I'll spare you the time of all the details. Basically, this police officer used the telephone in the crime scene to call up his watch commander, which erased evidence of the previous number called. He also kept details of specific movement though the crime scene and evidence found from the jury. Long story short, the day I was born revealed some secrets in Santa Monica, California (The Dallas Morning News, 1996).
In more local news, October 29th was the day that one man, William Douglas Lankford III was sentenced to 16 years in prison for kidnapping and assaulting his estranged wife. This was actually a pretty big deal, since this was the first person to be affected by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (The Dallas Morning News, 1996).
Also, a seventh-grader from Corpus Christi was suspended from school for two weeks and forced to finish her semester at alternative school for bringing a knife to school. Supposedly, it was 'just a butter knife' for cutting her daily apple at the bus stop. A student saw the knife sticking out of her purse one day and reported it to school officials. Since technically it goes against school policies, the district had to push a consequence, even if the intent was not malicious (The Dallas Morning News, 1996).
People claim the world is more messed up today than it was 20 years ago, but is it really?
Anyways, on to a brighter note...
Media & Pop Culture
Madonna on the October cover for Vogue (Vogue 186, 1996)!!! This was a time where it was trendy to be different, unique, and to bend the rules. Madonna was the epitome of all of that. Almost two decades have passed and she is still known for that same reputation.
Beauty
This Revlon advertisement was shown in the October issue of Vogue (Vogue 186, 1996). A short, pristine manicure, lipliner and nude lipstick, face conturing, and perfectly arched brows can all be noticed in this picture. Not only are they a trend right now, but this is the decade that originated it. Today, we think Kylie Jenner started the big, overdrawn lips, but actually, no. The late 90's were a time that bold nude lips and these other trends reigned supreme. The only difference? Look at those short lashes.
Hair
According to InStyle in October of 1996, "the new bang is chunky, sexy, and not so perfect" (InStyle, 1996). Hair was voluminous, teased, hairsprayed, and BIG. Today, times have changed a little. It's more common to see straightened hair than teased, permed hair. Although, the undone, tousled look is definitely making a comeback. Also, the bang is always in style. I mean, look at Zooey Deschanel.
(A few years later... but am I pulling off the bang? I think so.)
Music
I went to Billboard.com, did a little maneuvering around the website and learned that the day I was born, the song "Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix)" by Los Del Rio was the #1 song. I went on YouTube hoping it wasn't the song I thought it was. But it was. This song is to thank for all the awkward school dances, images of people trying to dance, and the thousands of times it's somehow been stuck in my head. Click on the video below and reminisce on all those times (YouTube, 2011).
Fashion
Chokers. Doc Martins. Leather biker jackets. Skater dresses. Converse. Jelly Sandals. Platform shoes. Scrunchies. Flannels. Denim jackets. Crop tops. The list could go on!!! About 100% of the items I just listed have somehow become popular again, (my personal favorite: the scrunchie).
Here's a little snippet from Vogue in October 1996 that showcases all the celebs wearing sneakers (Vogue 186, 1996). You see names like Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Brooke Shields, and Ellen Degeneres (???!!)
Who knew Ellen was famous back in the day? Not me.
Anyways, tennis shoes, especially converse, were such a big trend during that time, and they still are today. In the middle of the page there is a quote that reads, "They're not just for workouts anymore" (Vogue 186, 1996). Today, we have taken that same phrase and applied it to the current fad of athleisure wear. Funny how these two trends piggyback off each other.
In conclusion,
I was born on 'just another Tuesday'. To some, it's a day they can never forget. To others, it's a day that welcomed big hair, denim clothing, and nude lips. October 29th, 1996 is especially special to me, but also special to anyone who lived through it. I think the reason so many of the trends from the late 90's are becoming popular again because us millennials weren't able to actually live the greatness of those years.
Advertisement: Revlon. (1996, Oct 01). Vogue, 186,
12-12, 13. Retrieved from http://libproxy.utdallas.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.utdallas.edu/docview/911877614?accountid=7120
Bigger bangs for your buck. (1996). InStyle, 3(10),
72.
Cover: Vogue. (1996, Oct 01). Vogue, 186
Retrieved from http://libproxy.utdallas.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.utdallas.edu/docview/911876870?accountid=7120
Front page 1 -- no title. (1996, Oct 29). New York Times
(1923-Current File) Retrieved from http://libproxy.utdallas.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.utdallas.edu/docview/109658404?accountid=7120
Lodge, B. (1996, Oct 29). Wichita Falls man gets 16
years under '94 domestic violence act. The Dallas Morning News, p. 21A..
Retrieved from http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0ED3D6E4287F9DB8?p=NewsBank
C. (2011). Los Del Rio - Macarena
(Bayside Boys Remix) - HQ. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-2R6B3oFE4
Press, A. (1996, Oct 29). 7th-grader suspended for
having knife at school - Girl says it was used to slice apples, but officials
maintain she violated law by carrying weapon. The Dallas Morning News,
p. 18D.. Retrieved from http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0ED3D6E41545AFE2?p=NewsBank
Press, A. (1996, Oct 29). Officer says he quickly saw
blood at Simpson home. The Dallas Morning News, p. 3A.. Retrieved from http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0ED3D6E443FC980D?p=NewsBank
Talking fashion: Sneaking around. (1996, Oct 01). Vogue,
186, 109. Retrieved from http://libproxy.utdallas.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.utdallas.edu/docview/911876316?accountid=7120
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