Cool or Clueless? The ‘90s Trend I Loved as a Teen
—By Tyra
When I was a teenager, I loved me some overalls. It didn’t matter that I catwalked it in the smallest of designer micro-minis, when I was off the runway all I wanted to wear was big baggy coveralls, some Timbs and a men’s overcoat that could have fit four of me. It was hip hop, it was grunge, it was really, really comfortable. I think my love of big and baggy fashion went a little deeper. The truth was, I just wasn’t that secure with my body and it felt good to keep it under wraps.
Like a lot of models I grew to my full height while I was in high school, but my booty took its time showing up. That meant I was a skinny Minnie-a great thing when it came to fitting in Dior corsets, a not-so-great thing when it came to fitting in with my classmates. I thought my legs were too gawky and my butt was too flat. So what did I do? I kept myself covered with a pair of something that was as good as wearing a barrel.
Even now, I sometimes have to question whether I like an outfit because it is comfortable or because it covers a body part about which I am feeling insecure. If I find myself wearing sweats too much, I can pretty much tie it into an ebb in my self-esteem, no matter how much I try and play it off as a matter of comfort or convenience. Now if I’m rocking a pa-pow, figure hugging sheath, that’s when I feel beautiful, when I feel like Tyra - even if my shapewear leaves elastic marks on my waist. I confess, when I saw overalls coming back into stores (the ‘90s are back, y’all), there was something inside me that remembered how fresh I felt clipping on a pair (and how good LL Cool J looked in his with one leg rolled up). But, no, I love feeling powerful and strong in the body that I am in and I’m not going to hide it. I’ll leave the ‘90s revival to the girls born in the ‘90s. Now my “Miss You Much cassingle? That’s a souvenir I’ll never let go!
Fierce & Love,
