Jennifer Love Hewitt is just one of those names that instantly springs to mind when you think about the style icons of the 90s. Having moved to LA in the late 80s to pursue a career in music (did you know she released an album in 1992 that included covers of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and Blondie’s “Heart Of Glass”?), she instead quickly made a name for herself within the acting world. She got her break as a Disney Channel star on the series Kids Incorporated (1989-1991) alongside Fergie and Mario Lopez, about a teen rock band struggling with school, crushes and peer pressure during the day and performing on stage at night. There was also an appearance in Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit, but her teen idol status really gained momentum when she played the scream queen final girl of I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998).
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Thus, with her position as a beloved teen star ending murderous hook-handed fishermen, Jennifer would make appearances at all the most iconic events of the era, from movie premieres to the MTV Movie Awards and the VMAs. Even, the Met Gala! And with her, she brought an enviously 90s wardrobe, filled with girly alt-Catholicism, all-American staples and sexy Cali girl aesthetics. Here, we look back at some of Jennifer’s most iconic fashion moments. In her own words, what are you waiting for?!
At a movie premiere, 1995
After joining the cast for season two of teen drama Party of Five – alongside fellow future scream queen Neve Campbell and Mean Girls’ Lacey Chabert – Jennifer quickly became a favourite for audiences and producers, whilst establishing herself amongst the new gen of 90s icons. And she looked equally the part while attending a premiere for the Patrick Swayze fantasy movie Three Wishes, wearing a gothic little black slip dress with an equally spooky crucifix necklace, a sequined cardi and hiking boots.
At MTV’s Rock ‘N’ Jock B-Ball game, 1995
The staple look of the 90s was the white baby tee with light-blue straight cut jeans and a boot, so obviously that’s what Jennifer wore while attending a celebrity basketball game in 1995. Hosted annually by MTV, this year featured Coolio, Queen Latifah and Jennifer’s Party of Five costar Scott Wolf in the match, whilst she cheered from the sidelines with Jenny McCarthy.
At the Motown Café Launch Party, 1997
This Y2K baby tee, worn to a party in Las Vegas, would fit perfectly with the fashions of today, whilst the whimsical “stop in the name of love” sign handbag is exactly the kind of bizarro designs we’ve seen on the runway of late. Jennifer Love Hewitt’s stop sign bag walked so JW Anderson’s AW22 pigeon clutch could run.
At the MTV Movie Awards, 1998
A few months prior to this appearance at the MTV Movie Awards – there with Marlon Wayans to announce Will Smith’s “Men In Black” as the winner of the Best Song Award – Jennifer’s most iconic film had premiered, I Know What You Did Last Summer. Establishing her as one of the scream queen final girls of the 90s Jennifer’s style took a more mature turn, with a plunging back naked dress at the award ceremony, held up only by delicate beaded chains.
At the Teen Choice Awards, 1999
Stepping away from her more gothic and edgy attires of late, Jennifer took her wardrobe in a more cutesy, bubblegum direction towards the turn of the millennium. Arriving to accept her win for Choice Movie Actress for I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Jennifer served prom queen with her up-do and jewelled headband paired with a billowy silk skirt and a barely-there pink-hued top.
At the Met Gala, 1999
The 1999 Met Gala theme was “Rock Style” and while, back then, the themes weren’t taken quite so literally as they are nowadays, we did get an onslaught of chic and edgy fashion moments from Stella McCartney’s rhinestoned tees to Lil’ Kim in custom Barbie-pink Versace. Joining the event’s hall of fame was Jennifer in a fitted off-white cropped vest with a matching fuzzy maxi skirt and wedged GoGo boots like an angel of punk rock.
At the Billboard Music Awards, 1999
A decade prior, Jennifer had first moved to LA and by the end of the century she had very much come to embody the style of the local it-girl. The sequinned gradient sarong skirt? The reverse heels? The simple bandeau and minimal jewellery? The fluffy shawl casually draped around her wrists? The tan line reveal? Everything about this look is a big slay.