The 1990s seem like an eternity ago, especially in a day and age when technology is developing more rapidly than we can keep track of. Looking back at the 90s may seem like a blur, but the countless amount of (now embarrassing) trends that came out of it have stayed in the hearts and minds of many. In Ohio, as the last few years of college-aged students who were born in the '90s creeps up on us, I find it appropriate to reflect on these trends before we forget them altogether.
All Denim: Miami University
Being the coolest of cool, Miami of Ohio is always dressed to the nines. Walk around campus once and automatically feel underdressed and instantly not cool enough to go there. Denim on denim was the ultimate '90s trend and, like the well-dressed and stereotypically preppy Miami, it will always be too cool for the rest of us Ohio school peasants.
Crimped Hair: Ohio University
If you crimped your hair in the '90s, you were almost always ready for a good time. Athens has a beautiful campus full of maybe a little too overly-confident students who are usually up for anything that's thrown their way. Both Ohio University and crimped hair may not always have the best reputation, but they are unique in their own ways and always keep people wanting to give it a try.
Jelly Shoes: Kent State
Kent State is clearly a great representation of the jelly shoe trend from the 1990s. Quirky, bright, and filled with personality, people often forget about Kent State, but when they give it a chance, they fall in love.
Huge Beanie Baby Collections: OSU
The Ohio State University is a massive group of students who believe that they're better than the rest and that they are extremely valuable. Like a huge beanie baby collection, Ohio State students are very competitive and always trying to be the best of the best. In a lot of ways, they really are the best of the best. They know that they're worth a lot and always welcome more members (if you are also cool, competitive, and worth a lot after a few years).
Scrunchies - Oberlin College
A huge, loose scrunchie is the perfect way to hold up your hair. It doesn't hurt because it's not too tight and it perfectly reminds me of Oberlin College, the top liberal arts college in Ohio. The scrunchie, although obnoxiously large and now seen as embarrassing, was simple, unique, and handy in times of need, just like Oberlin College's sense of welcoming, love, and awareness about the conservation for our planet's resources.
Mr. Feeny: UC
Wise, yet mysterious, the beloved Mr. Feeny from "Boy Meets World" is The University of Cincinnati. UC is a hub for information, hospitals, and technology and, like Mr. Feeny, it can offer great resources and is a friendly familiar face. Mr. Feeny keeps to himself and might even seem sketchy at times, similar to certain areas of Cincinnati, but he always has great life advice and keeps you on the right track. Being a favorite '90s character, Mr. Feeny rarely ever disappoints.
Skechers: Toledo
The laws of going to Bowling Green require me to not like The University of Toledo. So, I thought that a great representative of this university would be Skechers shoes. Yeah, they're functional and perfectly fine, but they're not visually pleasing or fun in any way, shape, or form.
Fanny Packs: BGSU
This is definitely a heavily biased one, but Bowling Green, like the good old fanny pack, is the most underrated of universities in Ohio. BG has that comfortable "at home" feeling, while still maintaining a cool vibe. Constantly cranking out super smart grads, having the most amount of bars out of all of the schools in Ohio, and making everyone feel like one big family, Bowling Green, like a fanny pack, puts the "fun" in "functioning member of society."
