Let’s Be Honest: You’d Rock a dELiA*s Catalog Right Now

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Let’s Be Honest: You’d Rock a dELiA*s Catalog Right Now
by Emily Carter
Updated: Aug. 13, 2021
Originally Published: Aug. 13, 2021
Photos: India/Getty

Back in 1998, Bill Clinton famously stated he “did not have sexual relations with that woman,” referring to Monica Lewinsky. Linda Tripp released tapes that exposed the scandal, while pop culture was alive with memorable moments. The Big Lebowski reminded us that “This aggression will not stand, man,” and every Wednesday, we were left distraught as someone killed Kenny (those bastards!). We were captivated by the antics of There’s Something About Mary and eagerly tuned into MTV’s Singled Out. Bands like Eve 6 wanted to put their tender hearts in a blender, and the Barenaked Ladies were watching The X-Files in the dark. And let’s not forget: you were obsessively flipping through the latest dELiA*s catalog.

Let’s face it: you miss the days of Alternative Nation; you can still belt out every lyric to Garbage’s “I Think I’m Paranoid,” and let’s be real—you’d wear the heck out of a 1998 dELiA*s catalog.

Don’t Even Try to Deny Your Love for Baggy Jeans

Once upon a time, skinny jeans were nothing but mom jeans—an ’80s throwback meant for retro parties. Remember the blissful comfort of baggy straight-leg jeans? Thigh gap? What even was that? dELiA*s taught us that our jeans should feel like a warm embrace, ready for us to drop everything and:

skateboard
snowboard
watch boys snowboard or skateboard

If we weren’t in those comfy jeans, we were rocking “bootcut” styles that were really just slightly bell-bottomed—calling them that would make us look like wannabe retro hippies (and not the cool kind). Then came the era of baggy corduroy. Those cords were the epitome of comfort, especially if they were big and fuzzy. Along with them, dELiA*s encouraged us to embrace baggy khakis. You’d kill for a pair of those and some classic Airwalks or Vans today.

dELiA*s Revolutionized the Maxi Skirt

The maxi skirt was a game changer. It was essentially two pairs of jeans sewn together, hitting just above the ankles. It had pockets—real pockets—for all your essentials. I wore mine until it ripped during a make-out session in college (you know who you are, ex-boyfriend, and I miss that skirt more than you). Maxi skirts were versatile, pairing perfectly with baby tees, spaghetti-strap tops, skate shoes, sandals, or flip-flops. You can snag one on Amazon if you’re craving that nostalgic vibe. Honestly, it’s the best kind of dress-up skirt, and it looks fabulous.

Remember the Epic Winter Wear?

dELiA*s always assumed we were on the brink of some extreme sport, usually skateboarding. Those oversized sweaters, often adorned with stripes across the chest, made us look like we were borrowing clothes from our bleach-tipped boyfriends, always ready to bust out a hacky sack. Our silhouettes were flattering, no matter our size.

And let’s not forget the hats—beanies and those quirky earflap winter hats that were anything but ugly. They were stylish with cool patterns. Puffy vests were another must-have, perfect for any season.

The Paul Frank Craze

dELiA*s was synonymous with Paul Frank. Remember that adorable sock monkey? He was on everything—purses, backpacks, you name it. I still have a stuffed Paul Frank sock monkey because he was just too cute. Who wouldn’t want a Paul Frank wallet? Search your feelings; you know it’s true.

And then there was Hello Kitty—all the merch you could imagine. Mariah Carey was seen sporting Hello Kitty items! I was partial to Batz Maru, while my college friend loved Chococat. Seriously, I need a Batz Maru shirt for nostalgia’s sake and want to dress my future kids in Paul Frank and Hello Kitty.

Platform Shoes Galore

Platform shoes were a staple. From platform sneakers to flip-flops, we had it all. They made us taller and our legs longer. I had these killer black platform boots that reached my knees. They were everything!

Bold Makeup Choices

Makeup was a rainbow of colors and glitters. Remember the brown lipstick trend? Let’s be honest, it looked fabulous. Glitter was everywhere—our lotions sparkled so we could shine bright like vampires (though we didn’t have Twilight yet). Let’s not dwell on the environmental impact—just admit you miss that glitter blush.

And then there was the iconic ’90s hair dELiA*s told us to flaunt—bobs, bangs, bleached highlights, and cute clips.

Skater Dresses Were a Must

These dresses were knee-length, snug with a bit of flare, spaghetti straps, and, of course, stripes. They paired perfectly with platform flip-flops. Why did we call them skater dresses? None of us were skating in them. But they looked great on everyone, and I’m itching for a dELiA*s skater dress again, stripes and all. Don’t pretend you wouldn’t love one too; they’re the ultimate throw-on-and-go outfit.

We Just Want Our ’90s Style Back

Honestly, we just want to channel our 1998 selves again. We were adorable, glittery, and straight-leg jeans are making a comeback because retro is in (just like those ’70s peasant blouses we wore back then). I recently scored a pair of stovepipe jeans on clearance at Target, so there’s hope yet.

Now, someone please find me those chunky Airwalks and platform flip-flops. Maybe we’re just getting older—whatever. Bring back the brown lipstick!

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In summary, there’s an undeniable charm to the fashion and culture of the late ’90s that many of us long to revisit. Whether it’s the comfy styles from dELiA*s or the vibrant makeup trends, the nostalgia is real. Let’s embrace it and bring back those iconic looks!