Before Instagram and its flattering filters, there was the '90s red carpet. It wasn't as instant and inside-y as the photo-sharing app, but it was just as glamorous. And, it was arguably more intriguing. Without captions and hashtags to spell it all out for us, we were left to draw our own conclusions. What were those two actors doing together? Did Destiny's Child intentionally all dress in the same outfit?
Indeed, the '90s carpet was where viral news happened before there was Twitter. It's where meme-worthy moments took place before there were even memes. Ahead, the '90s red carpet pictures you cannot unsee.
Gwyneth Paltrow & Brad Pitt, 1996
The matching sunglasses are definitely kewl, but Pitt's sweater vest steals the scene.
Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images.
Jennifer Lopez & Sean "Puffy" Combs, 1998
Back in simpler times when Combs was Puffy.
Photo: BEImages.
Mark Wahlberg & Jennifer Lopez, 1998
Speaking of J. Lo, here she is in a '90s cowgirl outfit with rapper-turned-actor Wahlberg at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Photo: Everett/REX Shutterstock.
Johnny Depp & Kate Moss, 1995
Just smoking a cig at a Versace party in Paris, no big deal.
Photo: Richard Young/REX Shutterstock.
Drew Barrymore, 1993
She's just having the time of her life in her mocha lipstick at the Billboard Music Awards. Caption basically reads: "Hey, girl!"
Photo: Dave Lewis/REX Shutterstock.
Gavin Rossdale & Gwen Stefani, 1998
Love is dead, but this picture from a Grammy party will live forever.
Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images.
Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, 1993
Here are the most famous twins of all time, living their best life in matching bow hats.
Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images.
Elijah Wood & Leonardo DiCaprio, 1994
They likely arrived to the Academy Awards directly after a screening of Free Willy.
Photo: Charbonneau/BEImages.
Pamela Anderson & Tommy Lee, 1995
When in London?
Photo: Richard Young/REX Shutterstock.
Gwyneth Paltrow & Ben Affleck, 1998
In which Paltrow accessorizes with a bob, Affleck, and what is probably a vodka-soda-extra-lime.
Photo: Alex Berliner/BEImages.
Madonna & Matt Damon, 1998
Don't be sad that it's over. Smile because it happened.
Photo: BEImages.
Matt Damon, 1998
That see-through shirt.
Photo: Matt Baron/BEImages.
George Clooney & Cindy Crawford, 1995
#TBT to that time when Clooney could not locate his chill about meeting Crawford. And the ONE day he wore that damn Planet Hollywood T-shirt...
Photo: REX Shutterstock.
Tom Cruise & Nicole Kidman, 1994
We all had a goth phase.
Photo: Dave Lewis/REX Shutterstock.
Tom Cruise & Brad Pitt, 1994
If this image had happened over the past couple of years, there would be an app where you could put anyone's face under Pitt's hair.
Photo: BEImages.
Christina Ricci & Jared Leto, 1994
Just two kids hanging out at the Forrest Gump premiere.
Photo: BEImages.
Will Smith & Celine Dion, 1991
Please take a moment to mentally and emotionally absorb this picture.
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Tyra Banks & Cameron Diaz, 1998
On some level, don't you just feel that Banks has butterfly clips in her hair?
Photo: Matt Baron/BEImages.
Alicia Silverstone & Halle Berry, 1995
Basically queens of the '90s.
Photo: BEImages.
Tia & Tamera Mowry, 1990
"Hey, ya know what our outfits are missing — flower hats," said every '90s girl.
Photo: Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images.
Will Freidle & Jennifer Love Hewitt, 1996
Whenever people discuss '90s trends, they focus on things like chokers and lipliner, but never the important sweater choices.
Freddie Prinze Jr. & Brandy, 1998
Screaming over Prinze Jr.'s hair and Brandy's French mani. Screaming.
Photo: BEImages.
Hanson, 1998
This is the kind of picture you'd tear out of Tiger Beat and stick right on your wall.
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images.
Destiny's Child, 1999
Before they split up, they all wore their best purple.
Photo: Jim Smeal/Getty Images.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas, 1999
Seeing JTT holding a Simba doll is almost too meta.
Photo: Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images.
Ted Danson & Whoopi Goldberg, 1994
Remember when they dated?
Photo: Time Life Pictures/Getty Images.
Keanu Reeves, 1993
Between the surf board he rode in Point Break, and the bus he handled in Speed, Reeves briefly rode this motorcycle.
Photo: Ron Galella/Getty Images.
Katie Holmes & James Van Der Beek, 1995
This may as well be a prom photo.
Photo: Jim Smeal/Getty Images.
David Boreanaz & Sarah Michelle Gellar, 1999
Are they going in for a hug or to choke each other? Either way, it's a metaphor for the entire Buffy series.
Photo: New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images.
Honourable Mention: Mariah Carey & Will Smith, 1988
Technically this is an '80s photo, but I care not.
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