Why the '90s Were the Golden Age of Airport Style

There's a special relationship between the '90s and fashion. Designers continually draw inspiration from the decade for collections, street style stars and fashion editors channel icons of the time like Kate Moss and Winona Ryder and even items like slip dresses and ribbon chokers never fail to make their way onto the circuit year after year. It's safe to say that the '90s are here to stay for the foreseeable future, and what better way to marry our love for this effortlessly cool decade with our need for airport outfit inspiration than by digging up archival photographs of these stylish women? Check out 20 nostalgia-inducing photos below, and also check out what you should wear to travel, according to today's It girl, Poppy Delevingne.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826885

(Image credit: Jim Smeal/WireImage)

Nineties Kate Moss and effortless-looking denim go hand in hand.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826886

(Image credit: Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images)

Naomi Campbell knows how to exit an aircraft in style.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826887

(Image credit: Jim Smeal/WireImage)

It doesn't get much more '90s than a Calvin Klein tee on Tyra Banks.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826888

(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Disclaimer: We couldn't help but include more than one image of Cindy Crawford.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826889

(Image credit: Jim Smeal/WireImage)

Courtney Love was a pioneer of the pajama dressing movement, so it seems.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826890

(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

We'd like a modern-day version of Jennifer Lopez's cheetah-print coat.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826891

(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Gwyneth Paltrow conquers the tied-around-the-waist look.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826892

(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

A simple white tee is all you need, according to Cameron Diaz.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826893

(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Sarah Michelle Gellar embraced the comfort factor of overalls, and we dig it.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826894

(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Be still, our hearts! The slip dress. The lace-up boots. The Kyle MacLachlan. It's all too good.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826895

(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Just try to find a suitcase cooler than Winona Ryder's. Just you try.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826896

(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Nothing beats Crawford's suit and slippers!

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826897

(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

From the baseball cap to the tie-waist leather jacket, everything about Halle Berry's ensemble is gold.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826898

(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Stylish slip dress aside, can we please take a moment to observe Mariah Carey's cell phone?

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826900

(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

#NeverForget.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826901

(Image credit: Ron Galella/WireImage)

From the bucket hat to the clogs, Juliette Lewis takes the cake for '90s airport style.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826902

(Image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Cindy Crawford's pullover–and–floral maxi skirt combination may or may not be our next weekend outfit.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826903

(Image credit: Ron Galella/WireImage)

We think Christy Turlington's outfit would be perfect if you were traveling for work. Relaxed and polished, all at once.

why-the-90s-were-the-best-decade-for-airport-style-1826904

(Image credit: Tom Wargacki/WireImage)

Who knew a beret and baggy jeans looked so amazing together? Julia Roberts, that's who.

Want more inspiration? Check out these '70s travel photos that will inspire some major wanderlust.

Nicole Kliest
Freelance Contributor

Nicole Kliest is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City who focuses on fashion, travel, food, wine, and pretty much anything else that's amusing to write about. After graduating from Pepperdine University with a bachelor's in journalism and creative writing, she started her career back in 2010 as Who What Wear's photo editor and throughout the last decade has contributed to publications including Fashionista, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, The Zoe Report, PopSugar, Fodor's Travel, and several others. She also copywrites and has worked with clients such as Frame, Sea, 3x1, Intelligentsia, and others to develop brand voices through storytelling and creative marketing. She's very passionate about the ways we can improve our sustainability efforts in the fashion industry as well as cultivating content that's diverse and inclusive of all people. When she's not checking out the latest restaurant opening in her West Village neighborhood or riding her bicycle along the West Side Highway, she can be found scheming her next trip somewhere around the world. (Up next is Vienna.)