Playing dress-up is fun, and so is having a themed party for any event. You enjoy the laughter and excitement as you witness colourful garments and outfits being adorned by guests and friends. And in some cases, the outfit requires as little clothing material as possible! That of course, depends on the age range of the invites, as costumes and fancy dress themes work for birthdays, office parties, Christmas and New Year countdown events, and festivals.
Taking your party back to the 90s is one of the most interesting ways to spice up your party. For guys, this means you get to attract a lot of attention, as you prance around in an outfit that takes the average 90s kid on a trip down memory lane. And for those of us who grew up in that decade, a lot of things come to mind; SpaceJam, the Michael Jackson ‘Bad’ album, punk rock, The Mask, Ghostbusters, among other things.
Even at a general costume party, 90s dress idea is still a sure way to stand out in a crowd. So, to help every man out there with a plan to look the best at such parties, I have compiled a list of some of these outfits. It features some of the best 90s fancy dress ideas for men and reminds us of some of the best things about the decade. And each idea can fit easily at any dress-up party, scoring you points with old and new friends, as well as the ladies.
Table of Contents
Top 90s Fancy Dress Ideas for Men
1. Top Gun’ Deluxe Male Pilot Jumpsuit Costume Smiffys
When the film ‘Top Gun’ first came out in 1986, it grossed highly at the box office, easily grabbing huge appeal in the hearts of every viewer. By the early 90s, every male, young and old, wanted to be like Maverick; the stunningly handsome recruit who strove to be the best of the best at the Top Gun flight school. Till date, the dress-up idea is still one to be admired. Not only does it make you look tough and charismatic, but also strikes a chord in the minds of any lady who grew up admiring the dashing pilot.
2. The Mask Yellow Suit Kit
Jim Carrey rendered a stellar performance when he played Stanley Ipkiss in the 1994 comedy adaption. Watching the insecure corporate worker find that magical mask, and turn him into the hilarious Mask character was a hoot! Virtually every person familiar with the 90s lets out a smirk at the thought of the film. It is what makes this costume a guaranteed hit at any themed party or event. And if you happen to be a comedian, you get bonus points for staying in character. Be sure to paint your face green though, for full effect.
3. Stupid Tuxedo Only global
This dress idea is perfect for the funny bones and comics, who love to crack people up with silly dance moves and gimmicks. The classic orange colour resonates humour and cheer, while the hat and staff give you the option of full funny effect with gestures. Back in the 90s, this outfit was a hit at stand-up comedy shows, comedy centres and parties. It is to be expected, as it was one of the many brightly coloured ‘funny man’ Tuxedo options popularly worn by comedians in films back then.
4. Cool Runnings Jamaican Bobsleigh Bodysocks Body socks Fancy Dress
Arguably, one of the coolest sports comedy films of the early 90s, Cool Runnings warmed our hearts when it introduced us to the hilarious Jamaican bobsleigh team. We cheered for them, laughed and felt their every emotion as the team struggled to compete in the 1988 Winter Olympics. This is one of the first films that instil the spirit of perseverance in the minds of people from the 90s. Today, this body socks dress idea will not only have people keeling with laughter when they get it but also reminisce on a time when life was easier, and men were still boys.
5. Super Mario’ Full Kit Thematys
For the average 90s boy, the good life involved bicycles, lots of Kool-aid, the arcade centres, and yes, you know it, Nintendo. And the most memorable game from this company is Super Mario Bros. Virtually every child from that time spent a great quarter of his life sitting in front of the TV with a joystick, trying to get Mario to save the princess. This, the Italian plumber achieved by defeating strange-looking minions working to Bowser, a powerful, spiky-shelled tyrant that spitfire! So, this costume is a major nostalgia beacon for every mind familiar with the game.
6. Super Mario’s’ Luigi Full Kit Disguise
The best thing about Mario was that he never worked alone. He had lots of friends to help him, like Toad and Yoshi, for instance. But most importantly, he had his brother, Luigi to always look out for him. This dynamic duo caught our hearts at an early stage, and till now, I still feel giddy when I come across a Mario-Luigi combo. With this costume, people will respect your love for the pop culture of the 90s boyhood. And if you have a friend you plan to attend the party with, why not go as both?
7. Yellow Rapper Tracksuit Smiffys
The rap culture has grown so much today and has touched the lives of almost every male around the world. However, the rap genre was not so significant until the mid-90s, when it experienced an explosive spread the many corners of the world. And it influenced a lot of things in the world’s society, with the most noticeable being in fashion. And this costume design represents one of the most popular rapper outfits of the time. Done this dress idea on with a good pair of boots, slap on some bling, and it is done. For full effect, drop a few lines, while sounding like Maze, Big Pun or Fat Joe!
8. Metal Rocker Kit (Slash) Blue Planet Fancy Dress
Music was one of the most significant elements for every young mind during the 90s. And those of us who loved metal had musicians we considered icons. Arguably one of the most beloved is our very own Slash, whose eccentric guitar riffs became a worldwide sensation during his time in Guns ‘N’ Roses. And now, with this dress idea, we can be just like him. All you need is a metal rock branded tee, a pair of skinny leather jeans, and cool boots to go with this kit. It comes with the classic sunshades, a cross necklace, the top hat popularized by the metal guitarist, and even a wig that looks exactly like his hair!
9. Baywatch Lifeguard Jacket and Shorts Smiffys
Growing up on the 1989 released Baywatch series was a memorable experience for me as a 90s kid. Watching those athletic characters jog around the beach or dive the wavy sea to save lives was thrilling. And of course, everyone’s first favourite character was Mitch Buchannon, the stunning lieutenant in charge of keeping the other lifeguards in check. The Baywatch costume idea reflects confidence and authority over hardships. Like Mitch, you experience a surge in certainty when you walk into any party wearing this. And if there happens to be a pool around, you give the ladies a reason to put on bikinis.
10. Baywatch’ Yellow Tee and Shorts Smiffys
If you want something simpler from the Baywatch series, you can always go for this dress idea. The classic yellow t-shirt displays the title in its all too familiar font style and scheme. And the shorts bear the emblem of the Baywatch Beach Patrol we all came to love. This idea is sweetest if the party will be held at the beach, and you can easily draw attention to yourself by sitting at the lifeguard tower, looking out at the crowd like they did in the series. Sounds like fun, yeah?
11. Hip Hop Windbreaker and Knickers FetteParty1A
Everyone knows one of the biggest and most memorable referrals to the 90s era is hip hop. The jam of catchy beats, combined with speedy lyrical delivery blends with the athleticism and creativity of dancers. Young people from far and wide come together to test their skills on the dance floor, with dance steps and stunts that wow every onlooker. And the flashier your outfit, the more street credibility you have. So, expect having someone challenge you to a dance-off if you wear this classic tracksuit to a party.
12. Comedy Film Blue Suit Fun Shack
Brightly coloured suits became a major hit among comedy characters during the mid-90s. We saw them in hilarious films and TV shows like Soul Plane and The Berne Mac Show and loved how the wearers harness the comic nature of these outfits with funny jokes and silly gimmicks. So, you can go for this dress idea if you happen to be the funny guy type of person. It comes with everything necessary to look as hilariously ridiculous as possible, even the hat!
13. Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger’ Suit Morphsuits
When Mighty Morphin Power Rangers first aired on TV in 1993, little did we know it would come to shape the lives of virtually every 90s kid who watched it? Today, many of us live by the principles of heroism, sacrifice and friendship displayed by the characters of the show. And Jason, the Red Ranger, became one of the most respected characters in TV history. So, dressing up as the OG red ranger from the very first series is a big turn-up to anyone who grew up to love the series. And it makes you a solid representative of the 90s TV culture.
13. Bel-Air Prince Outfit
Will Smith’s ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ was one show every 90s kid can never forget. Everyone enjoyed watching Will, the kid from the ghetto, try to fit into the aristocratic lifestyle of his uncle’s suburban environment. This costume is a major throwback to that time. The colours and outfit combination reminds everyone of the quirky, silly, lighthearted Will character who made us laugh and reminded us about enjoying the simple pleasures of life. And the best part about it is the outfit is easy to wear.
14. Baywatch’ Body Musclesuit with Shorts Smiffys
For guys who already have the packs, the muscle suit becomes unnecessary (unless the event has a ‘No-shirtless Costume’ policy, which happens). The muscle suit though makes it easier for anyone to go for this costume, even if you do not have the six-packs of throbbing biceps. Regardless, the dress idea is another optional variety from Baywatch that expresses another popular sight we got used to during the run of the show; shirtless, tanned, and ripped guys on the beach. The costume is fun, light to carry about and great for striking new conversations.
15. Pimp Fancy Dress Costume Henbrandt
With the expansion of hip hop during the 90s came a lot of influence on fashion. These styles were constantly displayed during colourful music videos, and soon, every young man wanted to dress up like them. The pimp look was one that received high acclaim from many listeners and fashion enthusiasts back then. It was a look associated with swag, charisma, wealth and power. With this costume, you can still command those same qualities at any themed party. And you get to score high points with new friends and phone numbers from lady admirers.
16. Ghostbusters’ Costume Kit Rubie’s
Everyone loved the Ghostbusters franchise back in the 90s, and the fact that the first instalment was released in ’84 was not a hindrance. And though the final episode of the cartoon series was aired in 1991, the show made a lasting impression in our minds as kids during the reruns. So, what do you do when you find yourself looking for the perfect dress idea for a 90s themed party? The answer is this complete kit costume, fully equipped with an inflatable proton pack.
17. Gomez Addams’ Full Dress Smiffy
The spooky, yet hilarious family comedy franchise that aired in 1991 made most of us warm up to the ghouls, and ghosts horror films have taught us to fear. Now, as grown-ups, it is easier to reflect on those times and laugh at how we watched Morticia talk about death like she drinks tea with him. We especially enjoyed Gomez’s chippy yet fun personality. It is what makes this costume a great throwback to the 90s for emo lovers. And it can also work in hand with other Addams Family-related costumes for family outings.
18. The Crow’ Fancy Dress Orion Costumes
As 90s-borns, we will forever miss Brandon Lee for a lot of works, but mostly for this rendition. His performance brought life to a character most of us only heard of in the books, and he did it with class. Till date, The Crow is a major influence on the average 90s kid’s interest in gothic culture. And if you happen to be one, you would gain high remarks by appearing at a function in this costume.
19. Michael Jackson Costume Shuanghao
The 90s marked the golden era of pop, and the most influential and widespread music came from Michael Jackson. From Bad to Smooth Criminal, we cheered and wept as we watch him dance with footwork we could only dream of. And he was renowned for showing up in some of the most dazzling costumes and outfits during performances. So, why not do the same with this dress-up kit? And this idea represents one of the most iconic creations of Michael’s career; Billie Jean.
