Revisit the iconic era of the 90s with a fresh take on its signature hairstyles for medium-length hair. Renowned stylist Linda Miller shares her expert advice on achieving the perfect look, whether it’s the sleek and straight ‘Rachel’ cut or the carefree boho waves of the decade.
The Perfect Cut for Your Hair Type
“Choosing a 90s look is about finding the right style for your hair type,” advises Miller. “For fine hair, layers provide the illusion of volume. For thick hair, a blunt cut with a touch of layering helps control the bulk without sacrificing style.”
Embracing the Rachel Cut
“Medium-length hair is the sweet spot for a Rachel cut,” Miller explains. “Ask your stylist for face-framing layers and a few shorter, texturized layers at the crown for added volume. If your hair is thick, consider a bit of thinning or razored layers.”
1. Retro Revival Frosted Flair
This hairstyle puts a new spin on a 90s style that was popular back then, with hair of medium length that has a clear part on top and frosted tips that give it a retro feel. The sides are trimmed short and neat, while the top section is left longer and fluffed up to add volume, capturing the relaxed attitude of the 90s. Perfect for people looking to stand out, this style blends things people remember from the past with current techniques for styling hair, making it both bold and easy to wear.
2. Sleek 90s Throwback Elegance
This hairstyle shows off a classic style from the 90s where the hair is combed straight back, which was very popular at that time because it looked neat and sharp. The hair is brushed smoothly against the head to give a shiny, streamlined look, bringing to mind the suave coolness of popular men in the 90s. It goes well with hair of medium length, giving enough so that the hair has a consistent, even feel without any stray pieces sticking up.
3. Mohawk Fade
This hairstyle is a modern take on the famous 90s style of grunge, with medium-length curls piled on top that give off a loose, casual feel. The hair is cut very short on the sides, making a stark difference that emphasizes the bounce and texture of the curls. It’s a traditional but tough-looking choice for anyone wanting to feel like their 90s rock idol self while still staying sharp around the edges.
4. High-Top Fade
The hairstyle shown is a updated version of the traditional 90s high-top fade haircut, customized for hair of medium length. It has a nicely trimmed fading on the sides, highlighted by a sharp, curved border that gives an cool contrast to the big hair on top. The top part displays a rough surface, giving a modern twist that brings new energy to the nostalgic look of 90s fashion.
5. Retro Modern Fade Revival
This hairstyle captures the vibe of the 90s with a modern update, featuring hair of medium length on top that’s brushed neatly to one side, giving off a straightforward, tidy feel. The sides are clipped very short with a fade, which stands out sharply against the longer hair on top, providing a daring and distinct shape. Adding a hint of nostalgic edge, this style could be casually cool and flexible, ideal for those wanting to bring a bit of retro flair to their daily appearance.
6. Bowl Cut
This hairstyle features a classic ’90s style where the hair is parted straight down the middle for symmetry. The hair is cut to a medium length and styled straight, giving it a casual and low-maintenance look reminding one of the laidback yet fashionable vibe of that decade. The subtle layers around the face add some texture and motion, completely capturing the subtle coolness that was iconic of ’90s medium length hairstyles.
7. Dreadlocks Flow
This medium-length hairstyle has many thick, messy dreadlocks that flow down with an easygoing, carefree vibe like hairstyles from the 1990s. The dreadlocks are slightly different lengths, adding to the casual, stylish look that made hairstyles from that time stand apart. The ends of the dreadlocks are a lighter color which gives the style a subtle color change from roots to ends, putting a fresh spin on a classic 90s hairstyle.
8. Mullet
This medium-length hairstyle has a quintessential ’90s feel with its casually tousled waves and loose bangs that frame the face. The layered cut adds fullness and texture, making for a relaxed, grunge-inspired look that’s both nostalgic and stylish. It’s a flexible style that can be dressed up or down, ideal for those looking for an easy-to-manage yet trendy ‘do that reminds people of that famous time period.
9. Retro Slick Revival Look
This medium-length hairstyle has a big, brushed-back look that reminds of the classic slick hairstyles from the 1990s. The sides are cut short in a neat way, making a plain difference between them and the thicker, styled hair on top. The shiny coating gives it a refined look that would fit in well at a party from the 1990s theme or as a updated twist on older styles.
10. Grunge Revival Locks
This medium-length hairstyle has a part down the middle that reminds you of really popular guys from the 90s. The hair is brushed away from the face, giving a relaxed but put-together feel, like what people wore back in the laidback grunge time. While still on the longer side, the style can be styled different ways, letting you add a small wave to give it texture, ideal for those going for a vintage-inspired but current look.
11. Casual But Edgy Textured Top
The hairstyle shown is a classic 90s-style, with hair of medium length that has a distinct top section that can be pointed up. The hair has gel applied carefully to make it have texture and an intense look reminding people of the cutting-edge styles from that time period. This hairstyle combines a casual rebellious vibe with tidy refinement, making it a choice that goes with a lot of situations for anyone wanting to embrace their inner 90s spirit.
12. Nostalgic ’90s Pointy Revival
This medium-length hairstyle really captures the feel of the ’90s with its pointy top, reminding people of the frosted tips craze from back then. The hair is trimmed short and neat closer to the head on the sides, which makes the puffy texture on top stand out more. If you want to embrace the nostalgia of ’90s fashion styles, this look is both daring and stylish, intentionally drawing attention through the choices made when fixing your hair.
13. Medium-Length Natural Curls with Effortless Layers
This hairstyle has a laidback, grunge-style feel that screams the ’90s, with a medium length cut with natural curls that give the hair body and bounce. The layers help show off the waves, while the no-fuss styling makes it an easy choice for anyone wanting a retro look. Circular earrings go with the style, adding an edgy yet subtle accessory that totally captures the spirit of ’90s fashion.
14. Iconic Wet Look
This medium-length hairstyle has a smooth 90s feel, with tapered sides that go up to a big, textured top part of hair. The hair on top is styled going forward with an up-swept quiff that adds some class and depth to how the whole look turns out. To keep the shiny, wet look from that time period, this style is probably done with a lot of pomade or hair gel spread on generously.
15. Retro Waves Modern Edge
This hairstyle has a casual but trendy look from the 1990s, with its medium length messy waves giving it a bit of a grunge vibe from that time. The top part is left longer with a natural wave to make it look cool and relaxed, while the sides are cut shorter to update the throwback style. Perfect for people who want to stand out, this cut goes well with different outfits, capturing the feeling of the 1990s while still being modern and stylish.
16. Rough and Choppy Medium-Length
This hairstyle shows off a rough and choppy style that captures the laidback feel of the 1990s, giving a sense of rebelling against rules and looking totally chill. The strands of average length are styled in a messy, chunky way, putting out a vibe that is relaxed yet fashionable. It’s a do that can suit different events, just needing a little care to keep its meant-to-look-undone charm.
17. Refined Timeless Neat Hairstyle
This medium-length hairstyle has a classic ’90s feel with its neatly combed back look. It has a neat and orderly appearance. The hair is parted on the side and combed over in sections, making for a tidy and organized style that gives off a refined and professional vibe. The sslight fullness on top along with the sharp, trimmed neckline adds a bit of contemporary flair to the quintessentially nostalgic ’90s aesthetic.
18. Retro Curls Reimagined
This hairstyle has curls of average length that are tightly coiled, giving the hair volume and texture that reminds one of the classic styles from the 1990s. It requires little effort to maintain yet still looks stylish, and emphasizes the natural curl pattern of the hair, offering a nostalgic vibe with a contemporary twist. The cut keeps the curls consistent and clearly formed, resulting in a neat and purposeful form that frames the face nicely.
19. Retro Volume Modern Edge
This hairstyle has lots of volume on top with texture and messiness that gives off a relaxed but stylish vibe like the 90s grunge and pop culture scenes. The medium-length hair is swept back and up a little, making it look easy but put together. Adding a modern twist to a classic 90s style, this look is perfect for those wanting a nod to the past without losing a polished present-day look.
20. Curtains ‘Young Leo’ Haircut
This hairstyle has a deep part on the side with a smooth, brushed-over top that captures the polished, stylish feel of the 1990s. The sides are trimmed neatly, providing a fashionable difference from the full top and adding to the tidy, traditional shape of the look. With its shiny texture and unique outline, this medium-length style is an excellent reference to 1990s refinement that can readily be adjusted for current appeal.
21. Rebel Spikes Revival
This haircut from the 1990s features very short hair on the sides that gets gradually longer at the top. The top hair sticks up for a rough, unique look. It remembers the pointy style that was big back then, giving off a feel of going against what others think and being young. The big difference between the short sides and the full top hair stands out boldly for those wanting to feel the spirit of that decade.
22. Retro Middle Part with Blonde Highlights
This hairstyle features a classic 90s middle part, a style that never goes out of fashion which makes the hair even on both sides of the head. The hair that is a medium length goes a little past the ears with a natural movement that gives both body and motion, capturing the laid back yet fashionable spirit of the 1990s. To complete this retro look, the slight changes in color add depth and a current feel, emphasizing the cool vibe that was signature to 90s hair styles.
23. Old Faded Style
The hairstyle shown is a traditional version of the textured cut that was common in the 90s, with a new twist. It displays choppy sections all over, giving a rough yet fashionable look that goes well for hair of medium length. Adding to the laid-back feel, the bangs are cut unevenly and styled going forward, embracing a relaxed, messy look that’s easily on-trend.
24. Bold 90s Curls Revival
This medium-length hairstyle really captures what the 90s were all about with its big, wavy curls that really stand out and set a style. The hair is cut so it stays full on top, letting the curls puff up and frame the face, making a bold look that fits with how much the era liked people expressing themselves. The short, sharp sides provide a nice foil, showing the era’s thing of mixing precise lines with more loose and natural hair textures on top to achieve a look that was balanced but really got attention.
25. Cornrow Braids
This medium-length hairstyle has tightly braided cornrows that spread out from a neat center part, displaying careful work separating the hair into sections and skilled braiding. The cornrows form a geometric pattern across the head, mimicking the disciplined look of classic 1990s hair styles. Ideal for casual and dressed-up events, this hairstyle gives off an air of calm self-assurance and shows how the 90s era’s style still inspires fashion today.
26. Retro Revival Modern Flair
This medium-length hairstyle has a classic 90s feel with its full top and neatly combed-back look. The sides are trimmed short, forming a neat change that highlights the hairstyle’s retro style while keeping a modern point of view. The shiny finish and careful styling show off the hair’s natural look, making it a good choice for those wanting to bring back memories of the 90s in a small way.
