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Little Fires Everywhere's Best '90s References

Little Fires Everywhere Is Basically a Walking Ad for the '90s, and We Freakin' Love It

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-Wi-Fi 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 of the major '90s references throughout the first few episodes, so grab your Palm Pilots and take notes!

Image Source: Everett Collection

Janet Reno

Elena once profiled Janet Reno and she would very much like everyone to know. Reno served as the U.S. Attorney General from 1993 to 2001 under the Clinton administration.

Image Source: 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 Jennifer Aniston's sister on Friends!

Image Source: Everett Collection

Preppy and Grungy Clothes

'90s fashion is pretty broad, but it's mainly either grunge or preppy here to highlight the social hierarchies between the characters. Mia and the kids wear easy tees and cut-offs, while Elena's squad sports preppy styles that look like they came straight from Witherspoon's very own Draper James brand — with more argyles and power suits, of course.

Image Source: Everett Collection

Statement Necklaces

VSCO girls have scrunchies, '90s hunks have puka shell necklaces. (Though, uh, there are scrunchies in LFE too because those were very much artifacts of that decade.) Anyway, Moody always wears one with his baggy shirts. Izzy and Pearl get more '90s grunge with chokers.

Image Source: Everett Collection

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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.

Image Source: Everett Collection

Ellen's Time Cover

In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres makes it to the cover of Time Magazine announcing that she is gay. The kids at school bully Izzy by plastering this issue cover in her locker and calling her Ellen.

Image Source: Everett Collection

The Vagina Monologues

Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues is the current selection at Reese's, er, Elena's book club. Elena can't bring herself to like it, partially because she despises the word "vagina." Elena has suggested other '90s books as well, such as Memoirs of a Geisha and Primary Colours.

Image Source: Hulu

'90s Music

You can't have a '90s show without a '90s soundtrack. The homecoming dance becomes peak '90s with hits such as "Lovefool" and "Truly Madly Deeply." Plus, you'll hear some Counting Crows and Queen Latifah, too!

Image Source: Hulu

Dial-Up Internet

Apparently, East Shaker Heights has dial-up Internet. Dial-up Internet? Who is she?! Those around the '90s and early aughts will recall the truly ingratiating sound associated with web connection.

Image Source: Hulu

Disposable Cameras

'90s kids 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 favours at parties as well. At Mirabelle's/May Ling's celebration, Elena stocks up on a bunch for guests to use.

Image Source: Everett Collection

Car Phones

Even as a '90s child, I had no idea that car phones were a thing until I watched Ryan Murphy's adaptation of the Bronco chase on American Crime Story. Anyway, Elena has one in her car, unsurprising given that her family is rich. There are lots of home phones in the series as well, but they're now mostly remnants of the past in the cell phone era.

Image Source: Hulu

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