As a child of the 1990s, the fleeting memories I have of the decade are often that of simple, carefree days. I filled my time with long segments of school, followed by soccer practice and then playing outside until I could no longer see.

Those are my memories. Those were the days. I miss those days when my predominant challenge was long division rather than a ten page essay on a complex current event, or struggling to find time to fit all my work into a twenty-four hour period (that is, if I could only forgo sleep).

So, as I reflect on the decade (is it too soon to reflect on the 90s?), I realize that I also miss something else.

Julia Oromond

I miss the movies.

Maybe my views were tainted from my inexperienced and youthful ways, but I found film from the 90s to be incredibly stylish. I always went to the movies and found an actress playing a part that seemed to evoke a real sense of elegance, flair or charm that I wanted to emulate.

These were mostly romantic comedies, fluff films that I go back to like comfort food, probably because they are the most relatable. The characters always have flaws and the heroine will no doubt make some sort of tragic mistake over the course of ninety minutes, but it doesn’t matter. In the perfect world of film, they never fail to figure it out and live happily ever after. I think that’s what I love about it. Even my six-year-old self could identify with the characters wanting to fall in love, feel like a princess or have a fabulous career and look like a fashion maven while doing it.

My first film memory was watching Julia Ormond as the title character in Sabrina. At the time, I had no idea that the role was first made famous by one of the most stylish screen stars of all time, Audrey Hepburn (In fact, I seriously doubt I knew who Audrey was). What I did know though, was that Sabrina Fairchild’s Parisian fashion was completely chic. When she returns back home with an all-black look, a wide-brimmed hat, dark sunglasses and crimson lips, I was sold. Sophistication will always be in style.

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan was another 90s star who displayed great taste on screen. You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle were films that had the perfect blend of style and charm. My favorite of these two roles is Kathleen Kelly in Mail, where Meg plays a bookstore owner put out of business by a superstore that opens right around the corner. Set with the beautiful backdrop of New York City, Kathleen’s style is simply elegant. She wears the classics; cute cardigans, sweet dresses and sleek trousers. I adore this film, and it was as easy to fall for its fashionable sensibilities as it was for the story and chemistry between Meg and Tom Hanks.

Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman

Clueless also debuted in the decade, and Alicia Silverstone’s Cher easily became the most stylish high school student, well, ever. She never misses a beat in terms of outfits, and she is way ahead of the curve as she rocks head-to-toe plaid, over-the-top hats and knee-high socks (which are actually a big upcoming trend for fall 2010). From complaining about ruining her “very important” Alaia dress while being mugged, to sporting a Calvin Klein frock that will soon be recreated by the brand, Cher was a style icon of the 90s that still endures to this day.

There was plenty more to love about film fashion of the 90s. From Julia Roberts laid-back look in Runaway Bride and high-powered working-warrior wear in My Best Friend’s Wedding, to Sandra Bullock’s tomboy style in While You Were Sleeping, I will always look back to this decade as the one that formed my earliest fashion sense.

For me, that's why it works, and that's why I love it.