When the Y2k aesthetic came barreling back in 2023, it was low rise jeans, heroin chic, going out tops and east-west bags. And in the two years since, Gen Z has continued the nostalgia kick, with the exuberant, unplugged joy of the ‘90s and early aughts in full force, from landlines and friendship bracelets to tracksuits and old-fashioned braces. The newest lewk for people under the age of 30: 90’s Older Sister Core.
‘90s Older Sister Core is Here—And Gen Z Can’t Get Enough of It
Let’s rock
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Published Jan 21, 2026
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After all, in the ‘90s, older sisters were everywhere, from DJ Tanner to Clarissa Darling to Laura Winslow. But the look we’re talking about, also known as “hell yeah core,” is more about the alternative/punk rock scene that came up during that decade. The older sister who was sneaking out of her room to get to the Pearl Jam show. Think Kat Stratford from 10 Things I Hate About You. Or Angela Chase from My So-Called Life. Hell, even Daria from Daria. It was dark lipstick, combat boots and flannel shirts tied at the waist. It was Nirvana and Radiohead, but with a dash of Hot Topic.
30 years ago, the look was best embodied by Gwen Stefani, Winona Ryder and Chloë Sevigny with their oversized denim, men’s leather jackets, black turtlenecks and band shirts, peppered with daring crop tops, accessories and dark red lips. And today’s best examples are also steeped in the music scene--Billie Eilish with her crazy hair colors, Olivia Rodrigo with her Doc Martens and brash tour outfits, Charlie XCX with her undone, “bratty” vibes.
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As for how non-famous Gen Z’ers (the oldest of whom were born in 1997) are leaning into the trend? Well, they’re getting tattoos and septum piercings. They’re obsessing over record collections and tattered jeans. Their rooms are cluttered with rock band CDs, and they’re wearing Converse, grimy black hoodies and strumming guitars. We’re also seeing this vibe on the runways and in stores, from Khaite’s 25/26 collections’ aggressively cut black leather jackets to Marc Jacob’s grunge collection, Heaven, which nods to his controversial days at Perry Ellis.
At its heart, ‘90s older sister core is less about specific pieces (or birth order) and more about a feeling. Think: just tumbled out of your parents’ garage and on your way to a thrift store to rummage in the $1 bin. It’s girlhood, but goth.
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Older Sister Core 101
- Nails: DIY manicures are in. Mismatched nail polish and chipped edges encouraged.
- Hair: Bigger is better. Big bangs, big blowouts, big hair flips, big accessories. If you’re leaning towards the punk scene, then big colors—harsh hues like red, yellow and green à la Billie Eilish will serve you well.
- Chuck Taylors: The more beat up they look, the more rebellious you are.
- Baggy jeans: Levi’s preferred, bootcut OK, but skip the skinny jeans! This is the one 2000s artifact that will not mesh. This aesthetic is about being wild and mildly disheveled, requiring all the chaos of a loose fit.
- Oversized T-shirt: In keeping with the relaxed cut of baggy jeans, an oversized T-shirt is another essential. Ideally, it’ll be an old band T-shirt, but it’s mostly about the size and styling
- Accessories: I mean, if you didn’t have a little plastic chain choker hugging your neck, were you even alive in the ‘90s?! Don’t forget a belt with a big buckle.
Key Pieces for Nailing the Look
1. Band T-Shirt
The band of choice is up to you, but Nirvana will always be a classic. Other design iterations include the more iconic yellow (possibly dead) smiley face.
2. Levi’s 501 ‘90s Jeans
Levi's
Levi’s makes ‘90s jeans that are properly distressed and with cuts that are just baggy enough to feel relaxed without getting in the way of any skateboarding or guitar tricks.
3. Converse Chuck Taylors
Converse
I’m not sure what was more emblematic of the times than Converse’s classic Chuck Taylors. The high-top sneaker went with everything—and for something so iconic, they’re still also under $100. If you’re feeling bold, go for red.
4. Automet Motorcycle Jacket
Automet
This faux-leather jacket has an oversized cut that gives it a “hell yeah” quality. Black would be the best option here, but if you want to put a spin on things, there are 11 colors to choose from.
