Colors of the world—spice up your life! Twenty-five years ago, the Spice Girls released their second studio album, Spiceworld, including their mega-hits such as “Spice Up Your Life,” “Too Much,” and “Stop.” Shortly after, they also released their cult-classic film, Spice World. More than two decades later, the impact of one of the world’s most famous girl groups is still felt; fans are still continuously begging for a tour comeback. But while we likely won’t get a Posh, Baby, Ginger, Scary, and Sporty Spice reunion anytime soon—we can look back on some of their best outfits and moments from the ’90s and beyond.
Once you delve into the photo archives, it’s easy to see how the group was often ahead of its time. Whether it was their beauty choices—like Ginger Spice’s chunky highlights—or their fashion looks—platform shoes, anyone?—the Spice Girls were rocking trends before they even trended. Sure, their pop tracks still make us want to get up and dance today, but their iconic (and trailblazing) style is what also continues to have a profound impact after all these years. In honor of their special anniversary, Vogue is looking back on nine specific beauty and fashion trends that the Spice Girls helped set, below.
Photo: Getty Images1/9Platform Shoes
Before this season’s viral Versace platform shoes were even a thing, the Spice Girls were rocking platform shoes—specifically, sneakers—all day every day. The higher, the better!
Photo: Getty Images2/9Chunky Highlights
Big, chunky highlights had a major moment in the 2000s, and have made a comeback over the past few years (model Bella Hadid recently experimented with them). But Ginger Spice was a true pioneer of the look in the ’90s when she sported her iconic two-tone locks.
Photo: Getty Images3/9Euphoria-Style Makeup
Before the characters on HBO’s Euphoria were applying colorful eyeliner and sticking crystals onto their lids, Baby Spice was doing it first—right down to the blue eye shadow.
Photo: Getty Images4/9Sexy Suiting
An alluring two-piece suit has been one of fall’s biggest fashion trends: Stars like Lori Harvey, Olivia Wilde, and Ana de Armas have all been sporting suits that show skin, pairing blazers with bra tops or nothing at all. Of course, the Spice Girls did this look back in the ’90s, right down to the plunging necklines.
Photo: Getty Images5/9Double Buns
The sleek double bun is a hairstyle that’s been worn by celebrities like Yara Shahidi, Megan Thee Stallion, and Cara Delevingne. But nobody’s done it better than Scary Spice, who made the twinning top knots her signature.
Photo: Getty Images6/9Sleek Minimalism
Labels such as Bottega Veneta, The Row, and Max Mara love to reference the unfussy minimalism of the ’90s today. During the decade, however, Posh Spice was an original master of the look: She had a penchant for little black dresses in particular.
Photo: Getty Images7/9Shag-Trim Coats
During recent fashion months, you’re bound to see at least one street style star wearing a faux-fur-trimmed jacket (often by Saks Potts). At their peak fame, the Spice Girls would often be wearing these groovy, ’60s-style coats.
Photo: Getty Images8/9Cool Athleisure
The spring 2023 runways of Balenciaga, Diesel, and more delivered looks that were both edgy and sporty. Clearly, they had Sporty Spice on their mind: She was the queen of sports jerseys and track pants.
Photo: Getty Images9/9Camp!
From the Met Gala’s camp theme to some seriously theatrical red carpet looks in Hollywood this year, all things campy continue to be on the mind. At the height of their superstardom, the Spice Girls were the definition of camp: They each embodied their personas (sporty, posh, baby!) to the extreme. They were having fun with over-the-top fashion before it was the trend to do so.
