Beverly Hills 90210 turns 25! Your complete guide to the show’s epic ‘90s fashion

Date October 7, 2015

As a kid growing up in the ‘90s, Beverly Hills 90210 basically informed my being. I didn’t understand it fully (I was only five years old when the show debuted), but I knew my all-important basics: to be blond and named Kelly was a good thing, to be brunette automatically meant you were misunderstood. Oh, and that if you played with guns, you’d invariably shoot yourself in the face. 90210 was my subconscious blueprint to the time, but it wasn’t till I rediscovered it on Netflix a few years ago in the crux of ‘90s nostalgia that I discovered its true genius, becoming a completely obsessive freak in the process (live-tweeting a 20 year old show became my two year-long quirk). There was something so familiar and frankly lols about the way it treated teen-worthy social issues (see: Brandon’s brush with U4EA, Kelly’s cocaine addiction, Donna’s eventual de-virginization, and the list goes on). There were also some seriously epic one liners (see: “I used to be fat and now I’m skinny and a bitch”).

The fashion, of course, was also incredible, and acted as a comprehensive trend guide to the entire decade. To celebrate the show’s 25^thanniversary (it debuted on October 4, 1990), I enlisted FASHION‘s senior fashion news editor and fellow OG fan Sarah Casselman to recount the signature styles of 90210’s top gals. From Kelly’s cobweb knits to Donna’s crop tops, we’ve got it all here in one handy guide.

1/16

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Brenda Walsh

Brenda loved wearing menswear (Is this Jim Walsh’s tie?) almost as much as she loved Dylan McKay. Don’t let her big Minneapolis smile fool you—Bren will take you down.

2/16

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The death stare: Brenda and BFF Kelly Taylor show up wearing the same prom dress. This shot is the original “Who wore it better?”

3/16

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Kelly Taylor

A rich blonde with a closet full of designer looks like this cobweb sweater and black bra combo—Kelly Taylor kept her eye on the latest must-haves and the school’s hottest men.

4/16

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Champagne highlights, wispy bangs, full brows, lots of lashes and defined lips—Kelly’s beauty look is one part aspirational, one part attainable.

5/16

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Donna Martin

Virginal Donna loved to show a little (or a lot) of skin. Crop tops, body-con dresses, booty shorts and plunging necklines were in heavy rotation for this All-American sweetie pie.

6/16

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When it comes to dresses, everyone has a prom bomb. Donna’s missed the mark with its ruffle kerfuffle, voluminous silhouette and extreme neckline. Talk about red-hot mess.

7/16

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Andrea Zuckerman

Brainy Andrea (pronounced Ondrea) favoured practical pieces like button downs and jeans—all the better for running the school paper. She reserved her girly girl looks (hello off-the-shoulder peasant top) for the beach—and Brandon Walsh, her eternal crush.

8/16

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Polka dots made frequent appearances in the halls of Bev Hills High—Andrea paired hers with her signature specs.

9/16

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Cindy Walsh

The stay-at-home matriarch of the Walsh clan, Cindy was always there to give support and dish out the ice cream during heart-to-heart talks. Her uniform of choice consisted of patterned button downs and mom jeans—apron and smile included.

10/16

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Jackie Taylor

The original Kris Jenner, Jackie Taylor was into keeping up with daughter Kelly. From her glam designer wardrobe to her OTT costume jewellery, Jackie lived large and married often.

11/16

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Emily Valentine

Emily Valentine’s black leather, multiple ear piercings and spiky platinum hair with two-inch roots revved up the style scene at Bev Hills High. Brandon was smitten with this Harley-riding badass—clearly, opposites attract.

12/16

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Valerie Malone

Val moved to Bev Hills to live with old family friends, The Walshs. Though her crop tops and denim short shorts said good girl, her manipulative ways were trouble with a capital T.

13/16

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Clare Arnold

Clare’s clothes were a little kooky but her makeup was always, always perfect. From the contouring to the penciled brows to the defined nude lips, this second-string character seemed to wake up with a full-face on.

14/16

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Gina Kincaid

Donna’s distant cousin (revealed later to be her half sister—cue the soap opera music) relied on body skimming tanks and sexy strapless dresses to reel in her many men.

15/16

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Toni Marchette

Known for her mobster Dad and impossibly perfect curls, Toni was a vision in white (and white beading) for her I Dos with Dylan McKay. Too bad her Dad hired a hit-man to wipe out her new hubby and ended up accidentally wiping her out instead. (Long story. Google it).

16/16

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Janet Sosna-Sanders

Steve Sanders ladylove Janet Sosna made a beautiful bride, bump and all. Though she should have left the frosting for the cake rather than her eye shadow.