A Blast to Summers Past

Cover Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

After months of living buried under mounds of snow, bearing through a chilly Canadian winter, the feeling of shedding off winter coats is almost synonymous to a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. When we dream of summer, there is one place that knows how to do it, all year round. You can always rely on Los Angeles to give you an accurate representation of what a perfect summer should be. With the reemergence of the 90s, nostalgic fashion, tv shows and the recent 90s-con bringing together all of the elements of the good ol’ days, it’s only natural to revisit the group that defined California summer for a decade. Beverly Hills 90210 knew how to attract an audience with its high-end, classy, and trendy fashion depicting just how much of a bummer it can be to truly live in a country with a seemingly eternal winter.

One of the latest trends that has been dominating wardrobes the past year are monochrome sets. Monochrome sweatsuits, workout sets, and the like have made a cozy spot for themselves in our hearts as their easy colour match and coordination gives little to think about in terms of matching and allows for a rather “put-together” appearance. As the weather warms, there are countless ways to incorporate our love for matching sets into summer attire. Donna Martin and Kelly Taylor were no strangers to including these styles in their summer wardrobes. Donna’s matching yellow ochre shorts and button-up tank, and Kelly’s blue shorts and crop top pairing bring a refined and composed look to what could be considered a be a simple outfit. These sets combine simplicity and comfort and monochrome looks with a rather seasonal twist to last a warm day. 

If there was one thing that the 90s taught us, it’s that loose and baggy clothes are where comfort and style lie. Mix that in with some California heat, and you have a perfect answer to simple summer ensembles. Slip dresses, either mini or maxi, have a way of making a lazy hot day seem effortlessly beautiful. While slip dresses seemed to rule the mid-90s, being a prominent staple in most closets, Brenda Walsh and Valerie Malone of Beverly Hills 90210 make the looks seem timeless. While Valerie’s red thin-strap airy dress gives off a more casual daytime look, Brenda’s light white dress could easily carry from early afternoon brunches to late night picnics. With no thought or intricate assembly required, slip dresses may be the solution to a mid-summer slump! 

 Donna Martin was known to be the best dressed on the show. Everyone, on the show and off, envied her looks as she never failed to pull off any look. It may be why she had a way of making the tightest bodycon dresses seem graceful and casual even in the middle of a hot summer day. Though most times bodycon dresses are affiliated with late night escapades, these midday looks seem totally beach ready. Whether it be plain blue or red gingham, these dresses can easily make a seamless transition into the evening, making the end of any long summer day the most eventful and stylish night possible. 

As more soft and ethereal looks slowly creep their way back on to clothing racks, a classic delicate look to revisit is floral print. While big, chunky floral designs may not be of everyone’s preference, smaller, more subtle floral prints can add some flair to your basics! Floral print, undoubtedly, held great influence, as seen in this photo where all 4 leading ladies of the Beverly Hills 90210 are seen wearing the look in different styles. As Donna or Kelly’s mini dresses, Brenda’s maxi dress or even Andrea’s maxi skirt, floral print appears to add not only a splash of colour, but also the bright, eternal feeling of summer.

Though the days may occasionally get very hot in Canada, summer nights always balance it out with cool, and fresh air. How best to live in style while staying warm those evenings you ask? While we may choose to avoid the most obvious answer to forget about our winter lives, the Beverly Hills girls present the idea of layering in a rather appealing way. We are certainly pros at picking out jackets given their necessity almost all year round, the versatility of exploring various types of jackets and sweaters and their pairings with specific outfits can change the appearance of an outfit as the evening fun picks up. Cardigans, denim, leather, and even corduroy jackets each have a different personality which can easily be paired to set a different tone to the same outfit. Be it a party night, cozy bonfire, or a casual dinner, staying warm in the summer definitely does not mean hiding any outfit. 

Summer 2022 may be the first summer in 2 years where things feel a tad bit more “normal”. It’s only expected that everyone gives it their all to try to make up for the summers they had lost, in the safest manner possible. After sitting at home the last few years, soaking up as much television I can, Beverly Hills 90210 has given a new outlook on how best to use the measly 4 months of warm weather we receive. Though their expertise in bikini attire may not necessarily come in handy as daily summer wear in the middle of Alberta, the cast of Beverly Hills 90210 has exceptional knowledge of balancing sophisticated looks with comfort and style on hot summer days, providing great inspiration for revisiting classic 90’s looks in more recent times!