EVERY so often in a WhatsApp chat, or on the rare occasion I get to see old friends for a real life catch-up, we talk about how relieved we are that the nineties and early noughties live on in memory and a few (very few) physical photos.

In the world of Levi’s, heather shimmer, dewberry, mix tapes and the house phone in the hall where everyone could hear your conversations, the decade’s limited technology now gives us 20:20 vision – only through our rose-tinted glasses.

So rare are the photos of me from that time, my contribution to the latest viral reel of ‘Mom, what were you like in the 90s?’ would consist of… nothing.

No videos, a few photos. Well, maybe one photo from my formal which clearly indicates that I did not know how to apply make-up, and evidences how my first ‘fake tan’ episode was an absolute disaster. I was not, and am still not cut out for the Insta life.

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I loved the 90s. I proudly played 90’s music on Radio Ulster before it was trendy to do so.

I loved the 90s. I proudly played 90’s music on Radio Ulster before it was trendy to do so

The music of the era is still my go-to happy place – whether it’s indie, pop, rock, folk, grunge or dance. Oh, and power ballads. Cannot forget the power ballads.

In terms of style, I wasn’t much a of a fashion fiend. Like most teenagers in the Dungannon area, I had a couple of pairs of Levi’s from Tom Morrow’s and the occasional ‘new top’ from Ultimate.

I hadn’t much interest, but that changed when I went to New York for the first time in 1996.

We went on a family holiday, and it changed my life in so many ways. I fell deeply in love with the vibe, the city, the history, the culture, the style. All of it. I have lost count how many times I have been to New York since.

So, when the drama series Love Story hit our screens, I was more than happy to get lost in everything that New York offered in the 90s.

I couldn’t get enough of this ‘based on real life’ story about the relationship between JFK Junior and Carolyn Bessette.

As fascinating as the Kennedy dynasty are, it was Bessette’s story that jumped out at me. She brought us inside the world of 90s fashion through her work in Calvin Klein – and that ad campaign – which I remember seeing on billboards opposite Macy’s.

I didn’t realise how much of a fashion muse she was, and has become once more because of this drama series.

It has been fascinating to watch fashion houses and high street brands pivot to 90s minimalism in their current collections, reflected in the popularity of this series.

The only splash of colour in Carolyn’s wardrobe was a red lip. The message from was that less is more. Hers was a timeless style, because it seems that despite fame and the public pressure of marrying America’s most eligible bachelor, she managed to remained true to herself. Some loved her and some loathed her for that. I love her for it.

Some people have personal style in spades. Others need to be influenced by trends, almost told what to wear, because they would be clueless otherwise.

With peri-menopause, weight gain and tiredness, I don’t have the energy to care about fashion as much as I once did. I live for the day I will wake up and that will all change. I try desperately to find interesting yet timeless clothes on Vinted in a conscious effort not not to add to clothes mountains.

Earlier this year, I found myself back in a TV presenter role and needed to find 20 outfits for filming. In an effort to be more sustainable, I tried to make do with my current wardrobe, but I panicked.

I ordered five tops from an online store, something I can honestly say I haven’t done in over 10 years. I felt dirty when I opened the package.

As soon as I saw the quality of the clothes, I knew that I would return the lot, and I did. These clothes never go back on the rack. They go straight to landfill. That was on me.

The minimalism of the 90s is incredibly impactful. Yes, it was the decade of supermodels and high fashion. On the ground, we just didn’t have much, and made do with what we had.

No phones, very few photos, but such good memories I will happily cling to.

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