Think you've seen everything the '90s had to offer? You're done with images of #TBT babes in kilts and chokers? You've seen every picture of Kate Moss as a 20-year-old ever? Yeah, yeah, we felt like that too. Then we stumbled upon a picture of Gwyneth Paltrow, mouth stretched into a laugh, with a black ribbon tied loosely through her sunshiney hair and an arched tanned shoulder against a black cotton tank dress and we had to stop what we were doing. What ensued was an afternoon-long pillaging of back-in-the-day pictures of Gwyneth in the '90s.
Like a living, breathing Calvin Klein campaign, these snaps would have us believe GP spent most of her twenties being a waify goddess partying with Brad Pitt, dressed in a selection of leathers and cashmeres in monochrome or earthy tones with nothing but a slick of lipstick and a flute of champagne in hand (Goop, what?). From silk maxi coats to perfect white tees and barely-there slip dresses, Gwyneth Paltrow is a beacon of hope in a time when we thought we were through with normcore. Warning: these images will make you feel like moving to New York, wearing brown, buying leather trousers, and throwing all your makeup away.
LAX, 1997
Gwyneth heading for NYC in '97 dressed in a black silk maxi skirt, Gazelles, a high-neck V-neck (you don't get those anymore) t-shirt, and shades. Evian: Gwyn's own.
Photo: Getty
Brad and Gwyn, 1996
Out and about in NYC looking like a living breathing Calvin Klein advert (you can almost smell the leather and CK One from here.) As you will learn on this slide-journey, there is no one who wears a leather jacket better than GP. Note: it's never a biker but strictly normcore blazer styles worn cropped or ankle-length. Special mention to Brad's yarny cowl-neck that looks like something you'd find in a model's beach house in Cape Cod. They dated from 1994-97 and were engaged.
Photo: Getty
Gwyneth and Winona, 1997
Forget Brad, park Johnny, this was the relationship of the '90s that we wanted in on. They shared a flat for crying out loud, and hung out with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Here they are in co-ordinating cardigans and floral maxis. Like two grunge Hamptons stepsisters, with perfect matching pixie crops.
Photo: Getty
Golden Globe Awards, 1996
The new couple sported matching monochrome outfits and beach-kissed hair, and the rest of Hollywood paled in comparison.
Photo: Getty
Miramax pre-Oscars party, 1999
This whole look is very Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You. Choker, slip-on platforms and midnight silk cami with boyfriend jacket slung on top. The outfit is so 'now' that this red-carpet could be Peckham high street 2016.
Photo: Getty
From Dusk Till Dawn premiere, 1996
Proof that Pat Butcher is the last century's most unapologetic, inimitable style icon. A leopard print coat and black two piece is always a winner.
Photo: Getty
With Leo, 1994
Could these two look more fresh and innocent? We're quite sure they sell that black velvet turtleneck in American Apparel. Make like GP and wear with a crucifix chain and a coffee-coloured lip. Check out the housewife curl on that bob.
Photo: Getty
NYC, 1995
What did I say about the leather blazer? Here she is making a plain white t-shirt look a trillion bucks. She's also the reason you should start wearing your hair in a chignon, now.
Photo: Getty
Jefferson In Paris premiere, 1995
Gwyneth at 23-years-old in a bias cut white silk dress and matching shawl. With no jewellery, nail polish and minimal makeup. Heaven.
Photo: Getty
12 Monkeys premiere, 1995
This black velvet suit (with what we can guess are heeled Gucci loafers) takes the biscuit. We're also taking a breather over her Sun-In-esque streaks at the front of her hair.
Photo: Getty
Shakespeare In Love premiere, 1998
At the height of her fame, just before she bags the Oscar, GP comes into her own as a risk taking style icon. Still minimalist but with a sexier edge, this sheer, beaded, silver dress is #freethenipple life to the max. N.B. the poker straight hair and silver shadow.
Photo: Getty
The Myth of Fingerprints premiere, 1997
Like a Joseph poster girl, Gwyneth's leather-cashmere combination is the ultimate normcore-luxury mix. We're distracted by her matching scarf and tank top. Deeply impractical, definitely stylish.
Photo: Getty
Boogie Nights premiere, 1997
Here's Gwyn in every east London girl's current uniform. Silk baggy trews, adidas Gazelles and a black tank-top. Print it, stick it to your fridge, and remember it looked great almost 20 years ago too.
Photo: Getty
Great Expectations premiere, 1998
This suit fabric spaghetti column dress is the kind of '90s minimalist piece that sends us into crazed ten hour binges on eBay only to re-emerge having bought a Larry David badge. Grey never looked so good, right? We're a fan of the Cam Diaz do and visible grips, as well.
Photo: Getty
Emma premiere, 1996
Here lies the picture that started our internet spiral. Like some kind of modern Bardot, we've puzzled for at least 45 minutes over how she's tied her hair with that ribbon (cloth? tie? scarf?) When we find out we'll let you know.
Photo: Getty
MTV Video Music Awards, 1996
Wearing a red velvet Tom Ford for Gucci suit. Holy hell. Looking cooler than anyone ever did, ever.
Photo: Getty
1998
How does she put a fisherman's jumper over a sparkly black tie dress and look this fabulous? Try a casual bun and a grungey knit next time you go somewhere this fancy. You might look this cool.
Photo: Getty
Beck concert, 1998
We repeat: a Beck concert! What different, golden times! We're into her linen skirt and slinky camisole in natural colours. Very Monsoon. A touch The Beach. Cute stringy mules and mini bag to boot, too.
Photo: Getty
Costume Institute Gala, 1995
A traffic-stopping white tank dress worn with mauve eye-shadow. Winning.
Photo: Getty
1996
If you looked up 'chic' in the dictionary you won't find this picture, but you really, probably should. Again with the knotted preppy sweater and the whole t-shirt and maxi skirt thing. She's every minimalist's dream crumpet.
Photo: Getty
1997
Let's call this her Phoebe from Friends moment. The carpet-print chiffon coat with matching slip dress and furry collar are proof that clothes used to be better. Check her chunky sandal too.
Photo: Getty
Hamlet premiere, 1997
So simple, so good. A chunky white rollneck over some good ol' vintage denim, with complimentary half-up, half-down hair. The American Dream.
Photo: Getty
1996
Here's why less is more: black tank dress, platform sandals=90s goddess. Not sold on the flatworm-thong shoe? Try a black Birkenstock.
Photo: Getty
Hamlet opening night on Broadway, 1995
Again with the sexy fiancée, leather jacket and co-ordinating column dress and accessories. If it ain't broke...
Photo: Getty
Living in Oblivion premiere, 1995
Words don't do service to how weird and excited and then sad this coat makes me feel. A double breasted silk coat with a white t-shirt underneath is a thing of immeasurable beauty. Brad looks cute too.
Photo: Getty
The Pallbearer premiere, 1996
How do they manage to nail preppy while still looking badass? Might be the cyborg shades...
Photo: Getty
1998
A chalky pinstripe blazer and girl-band pile-up hair. Certifiably the best babe to have existed.
Photo: Getty
Armani grand opening, 1996
In her uniform of a basic top and leather trousers. Winona, again sporting the high-neck V-neck and cropped suit trousers. High fives.
Photo: Rex
Sliding Doors premiere, 1998
In a mint-hued cheongsam and swept side-fringe.
Photo: Getty
1998
Insert 50 Shades Of Grey joke here. Or not. This whole thing makes perfect sense. We love her mannish trousers and busy-mum shades. Note BP has been replaced by BA, her arm candy until their split in 2000.
Photo: Getty
1997
No one wears brown anymore do they? Here, the oversized shearling jacket and brown booties and skirt are so Manhattan in autumn '97. If only we could book flights.
Photo: RexLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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