This Is What Cool Girls Were Wearing in the Summer 20 Years Ago

Twenty years ago, the '90s were starting to come to a close, and the aesthetic of the decade was fully formed. Sorry to be meta, but you might even say that it was peak '90s. And since that decade is such an overarching theme in 2019, we were curious to see exactly what the coolest girls were wearing in July in the late '90s, in both the spirit of nostalgia and in hopes that we'd walk away with some fresh outfit or shopping inspiration. Sure enough, we got both.

Cool girls such as Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Leelee Sobieski were living in a world of slip dresses and skirts, tube tops, pouch bags, and platforms, and we're 100% here for it. The 15 photos below are providing a slew of summer outfit inspiration, so read on to see what the coolest girls were wearing exactly 20 years ago, and shop pieces inspired by the July 1998 looks at the end.

As Halle Berry shows here, it doesn't get more classic '90s cool girl than a spaghetti-strap tank top and a slip skirt paired with strappy sandals.

Leelee Sobieski wore a maxi dress in July 1998 that makes us see why the leopard-print trend is back with such a vengeance.

Salma Hayek wore three things that people are wearing again in 2018: lavender, pouch bags, and minimal sandals.

Leave it to SJP to find the easiest-to-copy 'fit of July 1998.

Saved by the Bell's Lark Voorhies proved that straight-leg jeans and a sweetheart neckline will always be a good combo.

Who wore it best: Cindy Crawford or Barbie? (Answer: Cindy Crawford.)

Michelle Williams's choker, strapless LBD, and furry shoes make for a combination we've definitely seen repeated in the current decade.

Two observations: Jennifer Lopez clearly doesn't age, and she could undoubtedly get away with wearing this chic slip dress today.

If it's the '90s minimalist look that you love the most, look no further than Claire Danes's simple sheath dress and slingback sandals. Nineties style doesn't get more timeless than this.

Cameron Diaz's tube top and low-slung trousers were a uniform for many cool girls in the late '90s.

Jennifer Aniston (and plenty of others who are in the know) have been wearing sheath dresses for years.

Believe it or not, everything about Jessica Biel's quintessential '90s look is back in style: oval glasses, ruched tube top, miniskirt, anklet, and platform shoes included.

Two decades ago, Christina Applegate displayed the most sophisticated way to wear the sheer trend.

Claudia Schiffer's silver cowl-neck gown is the epitome of evening dressing in 1998.

We're pretty sure we've seen Courteney Cox's exact outfit on Instagram this year.

Shop Pieces Inspired by July 1998

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated. Next up, see the '90s makeover our editor in chief recently gave herself.