Color and Material Comparisons

Grey shows up again as an important color not only of 1996 but also 1998 & 1994

Color of 1998:

During 1997, the fashion world screamed that “black was in fact the new
black”, but in 1998 color has changed once again. Now designers claim that “gray is the new black”, store racks are crammed with such unromantic shades as mortar, steel, nickel, plate, petrol, slate, and gunmetal. The warmth of camel, vicuna and mushroom and rich tones of loden, olive, Bordeaux and mahogany are in the picture.

Color in 1994:

In 1994 black continued to conquer all while other shades such as purple, reds, hunter green, browns, and grey made up the other color trends for the year.

Luxury fabrics, seen in 1996, such as fur have made a repeat performance in the year 1998, while 1994 lacked luxury fabrics and materials

Materials of 1998:

Fur has once again appeared in closets as a fashion staple. Fox, mink, sable, and even the faux stuff have returned from the dungeon of political correctness. Designers are trimming casual clothes with fur and dying it in shocking colors. Fur accents or trim can be found on skirts, sweaters, cloth coats, shoes and boots, handbags, shrugs, and scarves. Then there are the envelope-pushing designers who are creating actual clothing with fur: Fendi has a knee-grazing sable skirt, and Versace boasts a white mink tank-top (a splendid perversion of form and function). Mink now comes in electric blue and pale pink. One finds fur covering even the most banal objects. Fendi, again, produced a fox-covered wheelie (the popular carry-on suitcase that rankles airline crews).

Material in 1994:

During the 90’s grunge was all the rage, which led to many lower quality fabrics and materials gain in popularity.

-Leather, flannel, denim, wovens, lycra, fleece, and linen.

For more information about 1996 colors & materials

-Fur Flies. By: Nordlinger, Pai, National Review, 00280038, 12/31/1998, Vol. 50, Issue 25

-From black to gray, from short to long, fashion marches on. By: Gardner, Marilyn, Christian Science Monitor, 08827729, 9/2/98, Vol. 90, Issue 196

-Stylin' styles of the '40s are back. By: White, Renee Minus, New York Amsterdam News, 00287121, 06/25/98, Vol. 89, Issue 26