As we may have already mentioned, the ’90s were back in a big way on the runways of New York Fashion Week. That’s why for the latest installment of our recurring series “In Praise of Demented Fashion Icons,” we’re looking to a childhood TV favorite for inspiration: Saved by the Bell. And if we’re going to be combing the halls of Bayside High, it only makes sense that we would turn to the most popular girl in school for style tips. (Don’t get us wrong: Lisa Turtle clearly had the best clothes, but she was rich. Meanwhile, Jessie Spano always kind of dressed like a mom.) Follow us after the jump, as we examine some classic Kelly Kapowski looks, and be sure to let us know which one is your favorite in the comments.
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The best way to offset a maroon face is a tight orange dress and a tiara. Also: never buy homemade zit cream from Zack, even if it did work wonders for “Crater Face” Coburn.
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If you’re going to match the pink polka dots on the trim of your jean jacket with your tube top, be sure to look pensive so that people will still take you seriously as a model.
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A colorful, oversized mesh jersey is an acceptable outfit choice, but only if it contains a delightful bit of foreshadowing.
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With the combination of dowdy hemlines and sad white sneakers, even the head cheerleader can look like a frumpy mess. (Note: Totally Jessie’s idea — she thought the outfits would ensure that the judges at the cheerleading competition wouldn’t be distracted by the girls’ bodies.)
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Feathered hair? Check. Short shorts. Check? Striped shirt? Check. Ditch the teddy bear and the earnest grin, and this could actually work as a ’90s-inspired look for the hipsters of today.
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Never underestimate the ability of a cropped white denim vest to really pull an outfit together.
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Finding the right earrings to match your tie-dyed t-shirt can be a real pain, but it’s totally worth it.
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If your mate is opting for a monochromatic denim on denim look, a pop of color (or in this case, an orange unitard paired with a jacket that looks like a garden just threw up all over it) in your own ensemble can be a good thing.
Overalls can be a hard look to pull off, especially when they’re a pastel lemon color. By only fastening one of the straps, you’re telling the world that you’re carefree and this is a casual, effortless outfit that you just threw on.
If you’re hot enough, then you can get away with wearing a cut-off sweatshirt to your junior prom.