Dakota Johnson Just Wore the Jeans-and-Shoe Pairing That Downright Dominated the ’90s

Dakota Johnson is one of those few style icons who are craft a look that simultaneously champions new-season trends, whilst also looking entirely timeless. Doing just that this week in New York, the actor styled a typically relaxed ensemble that subtly showcased the season’s favourite finds.

Taking her cue from a popular ’90s silhouette, Johnson selected a relaxed pair of light-wash straight leg jeans to form the base of her look. Unlike darker indigo or black jeans, the light-wash styles that prevailed across the the ’90s had a relaxed, lived-in feel that spoke to the era’s laid-back, minimalist approach to fashion—and as such suit Johnson’s similarly low-key style in 2024.

Plucking another retro favourite, Johnson styled her denim with a sleek black leather shoes. Countering the casual energy of Johnson’s loose jeans, her shiny black loafers imparted a polished effect that worked to neaten up her casual look. Whether in the form of shiny black lace-up shoes, or patent leather loafers, the shiny black shoe trend was a wardrobe non-negotiable across the ’90s. Paired with baggy jeans, pencil skirts and straight-leg trousers across the decade, it’s no surprise that this trend is reemerging for 2024, alongside these once forgotten trends.

Cindy Crawford wears light wash jeans and shiny black shoes in L.A. 1993.