Between its props and references, you can probably tell that Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere is an extremely ’90s series – indeed, it takes place in Shaker Heights, OH, in 1997. The proto-WiFi technology and vintage fashion trends are, for example, very indicative of the decade of yore. Seriously, kids only slightly obsessed with TV and not glued to their cell phones? Baffling! Still, it’s admittedly fun experiencing this era through the costume and set design of Little Fires Everywhere. Putting on our investigative journalist power suits à la Elena Richardson, we’ve done the research and compiled all the major ’90s references throughout the first few episodes, so grab your PalmPilots and take notes!
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Janet Reno
Elena once profiled Janet Reno and she would very much like everyone to know. Reno served as the United States attorney general from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton.
Everett Collection / Hulu/Courtesy Everett Collection
The Rachel Haircut
So Izzy burns her hair off and needs a cut. Elena suggests that she gets a Rachel haircut, *the* layered shag cut of the ’90s, inspired by Rachel Green on Friends. It’s a clever wink because Reese Witherspoon, who portrays Elena, played the Jennifer Aniston character’s sister on Friends!
Everett Collection / Hulu/Courtesy Everett Collection
Preppy and Grungy Clothes
Though ’90s fashion is pretty broad, it’s mainly either grunge or preppy here to highlight the social hierarchies between the characters. Mia and the kids wear easy tees and cutoffs, while Elena’s squad sport preppy styles that look like they came straight from Witherspoon’s very own Draper James brand – with more argyles and power suits, of course.
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Statement Necklaces
VSCO girls have scrunchies, ’90s hunks have puka shell necklaces. Though, uh, there are scrunchies in Little Fires Everywhere too, because those are very much artifacts of that decade. Anyway, Moody always wears a puka shell necklace with his baggy shirts. Izzy and Pearl get more ’90s grunge with chokers.
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer
It’s dubious that Lexie, given her prim and proper ways, would be into the ’90s campiness of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but she is! In the series, she chats about an episode over the phone with a pal.
Everett Collection / Hulu/Courtesy Everett Collection
Everett Collection / Hulu/Courtesy Everett Collection
Disposable Cameras
Kids of the ’90s might remember sneaking disposable cameras on school field trips because they were the cool thing to have back then. People also gave them away as favors at parties as well. At Mirabelle’s/May Ling’s celebration, Elena stocks up on a bunch for guests to use.
