If you're still loyal to these 7 brands from the 90s, you're dating yourself

I was organizing my closet last week when I pulled out an old Tommy Hilfiger polo shirt I've been holding onto since forever. My husband walked by and laughed. "You're really not letting go of the 90s, are you?" he said.

He had a point. Some of us grew up with certain brands that felt like they defined an entire era, and we're still reaching for them without even thinking about it. There's comfort in what we know, but sometimes our brand loyalty gives away our age more than we realize.

Here are seven brands that immediately place you in a specific generation.

1. Gap khakis and button-downs

Remember when Gap was the place to shop? Their khakis were everywhere in the 90s. Everyone had at least one pair, and their ads were iconic with those simple white backgrounds and catchy music.

I still walk past Gap stores in shopping malls and feel that pull. For a long time, it was my go-to for basics. Clean lines, reliable fit, nothing too flashy. But if you're still buying the same khaki pants you wore in high school, people can tell.

The brand hasn't quite kept up with how fashion has shifted. Younger shoppers gravitate toward brands that feel more current or sustainable. Gap still exists, but it doesn't hold the same cultural weight it once did.

If your wardrobe is heavy on Gap classics, it might be time to explore what else is out there.

2. Tommy Hilfiger everything

Tommy Hilfiger was huge in the 90s. The oversized logo shirts, the red, white, and blue color scheme. It was preppy and cool at the same time, and everyone wanted a piece of it.

I had a Tommy jacket that I wore until it practically fell apart. It felt like wearing a badge of honor. But fashion has moved on from logo-heavy pieces, and today's trends lean more toward subtlety and personal style over brand names.

Wearing Tommy now doesn't carry the same cachet. The brand has tried to stay relevant, but if you're still sporting that oversized logo polo, you're signaling which decade shaped your style.

There's nothing wrong with nostalgia, but updating your look can feel refreshing.

3. Doc Martens boots

Doc Martens had their moment in the 90s grunge scene. They were rugged, rebellious, and impossibly durable. I never owned a pair myself, but plenty of my friends did, and those boots seemed to last forever.

Here's the thing though. Doc Martens have actually made a comeback with younger generations, but the way people wear them now is different. The 90s approach was all about heavy jeans, flannel, and that whole grunge aesthetic. If you're still pairing your Docs the exact same way you did back then, it shows.

The boots themselves aren't the issue. It's the styling that dates you. If you love your Docs, maybe try mixing them into more current outfits instead of recreating 1995.

4. CK One fragrance

Calvin Klein's CK One was the unisex fragrance that defined the 90s. It was fresh, clean, and everyone seemed to be wearing it. I remember the minimalist bottle sitting on bathroom counters everywhere.

Fragrance trends have evolved a lot since then. Today's perfumes are more complex, more personalized. Niche brands are having their moment, and people are exploring scents that feel unique to them rather than what everyone else is wearing.

If you're still spritzing CK One every morning, it might be worth exploring what's new in the fragrance world.

Trying something new doesn't mean abandoning what you love. It just means giving yourself permission to evolve.

5. Abercrombie & Fitch polos and jeans

Abercrombie was the brand in the late 90s and early 2000s. The stores were dark, the music was loud, and the cologne smell hit you from three stores away. Their logo polos were a status symbol for teenagers.

I never quite understood the appeal of wearing clothes that turned you into a walking advertisement, but plenty of people did. The brand has since rebranded itself and actually offers more sophisticated, logo-free pieces now. But if you're still wearing those old logo polos from back in the day, it's a dead giveaway.

The new Abercrombie is worth checking out if you liked their fits. But holding onto the old stuff? That's pure nostalgia, and it shows.

6. Limited Too accessories (now Justice)

This one's for those of us who shopped at Limited Too as kids. The store was full of bright colors, glitter, and accessories that felt impossibly cool at the time. It later became Justice, targeting the same tween demographic.

If you're still holding onto Limited Too nostalgia or shopping at Justice as an adult for yourself, it's time for a reality check. These brands are designed for kids, and while there's nothing wrong with liking what you like, your style should grow with you.

I get the sentimental attachment. Those stores represented a time when shopping felt magical and everything sparkled. But part of growing up is letting go of what no longer serves us, even if it once brought us joy.

7. Sketchers with the thick soles

Sketchers were everywhere in the 90s, especially those chunky platform sneakers. They were comfortable, casual, and came in every color imaginable. I had a pair in middle school that I wore constantly.

Athletic and casual footwear has come a long way since then. Brands like Allbirds, Veja, and even updated versions from Nike and Adidas offer more modern silhouettes and sustainable options. If you're still reaching for those thick-soled Sketchers, your footwear is dating you.

Comfort doesn't have to mean clunky anymore. There are plenty of stylish, comfortable options out there that feel more current. Sometimes we stick with what we know because change feels like effort, but trying something new can surprise you.

Why we hold onto what we know

Brand loyalty isn't just about the products. It's about identity and memory. The brands we grew up with feel like part of our story. They remind us of who we were at a specific time in our lives.

But holding onto them too tightly can keep us from discovering new things that might fit who we are now even better. I'm not saying throw out everything you love. I'm saying it's worth questioning whether you're choosing these brands because you genuinely love them today, or because they make you feel connected to your past.

Personal style should evolve with you. What worked in your teens and twenties might not reflect who you are in your thirties or beyond. And that's okay. Growth means letting some things go.

Final thoughts

I'm not here to tell you what to wear or which brands to love. If these 90s staples still bring you joy and fit your life, keep them. But if you're holding onto them out of habit or nostalgia rather than genuine preference, maybe it's time to explore what else is out there.

Your style is allowed to change. You're allowed to try new things without feeling like you're betraying your younger self. Sometimes the most interesting discoveries come from stepping outside what's familiar.

The 90s were great, but we're living in a different decade now. Give yourself permission to show up as who you are today, not who you were twenty-five years ago.