The 6 Traits That Made Chloë Sevigny the Ultimate ’90s It Girl
By Alexus Mosley
Photo Credit: Dave Luchansky
Chloë Sevigny has always had the kind of cool that’s nearly impossible to explain and even harder to replicate. In the ’90s, she was a fixture of downtown New York, a fashion-world fascination, an indie-film darling, and the girl whose seemingly effortless personal style made even the most unexpected outfit feel intentional. She wasn’t interested in looking like everyone else, nor did she need traditional Hollywood glamour to command attention. Chloë had something far more valuable, and that was a point of view. Her individuality, cultural instincts, and ability to exist at the intersection of fashion, film, art, and New York nightlife made her one of the decade’s most compelling It Girls. As a result, she created a blueprint for cool that still feels relevant today.
Avant-Garde Roles
Chloë was never interested in playing it safe. From Kids to Gummo, she chose the weird, gritty, provocative roles that other young actresses might have avoided, and somehow made being an indie-film darling look incredibly chic.
Chloë Sevigny at the premiere party for the film Trees Lounge.
Photo Credit: Ron Galella
Boyish-Chic Style
A baby tee here, an oversized jacket there, maybe some loafers for good measure. Chloë mastered the art of borrowing from the boys without ever losing her femininity. The result is a wardrobe that still fills Pinterest boards decades later.
Chloë Sevigny attending the 1999 VH1 Fashion Awards
Photo Credit: Getty
Effortlessly Cool Aura
Some people work very hard at looking cool, but Chloë Sevigny simply was. Whether she was sitting front row or wandering around downtown Manhattan, she always gave the impression that she knew about the coolest party, band, designer, and restaurant, and wasn’t particularly concerned whether you did.
Chloë Sevigny at the 1998 New York City premiere of the film Deceiver.
Photo Credit: Ron Galella
Authentic Individuality
For Chloë, trends were suggestions, not instructions. She wore what she liked, took the roles she found interesting, and built a career around her own peculiar tastes. It Girl rule #1: you can’t become the blueprint by following someone else’s.
Chloë Sevigny attending Talk Magazine's 57th Annual Golden Globes Party
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Provocative Nature
Playing nice was never really part of the Chloë Sevigny mystique. Her movies could shock you, her outfits could confuse you, and her choices could get people talking. But never boring.
Photo Credit: Lizzi Bougatsos
Gritty-but-Glamorous Social Life
Forget velvet ropes and perfectly polished red carpets. Chloë’s version of glamour lived in downtown Manhattan. With indie filmmakers, fashion kids, artists, musicians, late nights, and just the right amount of chaos. A little gritty, a little glamorous, and very ’90s New York.
Photo Credit: Zach Hilty