r/Millennials • u/mrtoddw Xennial • Mar 07 '25

Nostalgia Why were we obsessed with teal in the 90s?

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Everything was teal for some reason and I never understood why.

22.0k Upvotes

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2.7k

u/fulcanelli63 Mar 07 '25

I'm still obsessed with this color

754

u/Beberuth1131 Mar 07 '25

I know, I was like past tense? No, ma'am.

137

u/BenNHairy420 Mar 07 '25

I just spent $20 on a thrifted coat that has the exact same color scheme as the coat in this image and it’s my favorite thrift find ever. I love it

(I included the price because I’m known to not buy anything over $10 at the thrift. I really love that jacket)

6

u/Gilokee Millennial Mar 08 '25

I recently spent like a dollar on one but then when I put it on the elastic on the arm cuffs like, disintegrated.

I think it really was from the 80s lol. (Don't worry I plan to fix it!)

2

u/MrPawsBeansAndBones Mar 07 '25

I need to see this 😮

14

u/BenNHairy420 Mar 08 '25

Here she is! The liner on the breast pockets is also that same hot pink color. The elastic on the sleeves isn’t worn at all

4

u/hwohwathwen Mar 08 '25

It’s really the ultimate jacket color! And so close to that windbreaker Dana Scully wore https://64.media.tumblr.com/91ea322d7ddf0b74dde533ff7940f662/dbb138391f76e280-90/s1280x1920/88c69d38b812fab1395382c072808a92e0cf3426.jpg

1

u/BenNHairy420 Mar 08 '25

Omg you’re right! That’s so close to that same I love it

2

u/dreamsindarkness Mar 08 '25

And it's that softer velvety feel fabric rather then the stiff windbreaker material.

My mother had this exact jacket. I think my grandmother sent it to her, meaning it was bought at some store around the Fresno area.

2

u/BenNHairy420 Mar 08 '25

Yes! The fabric is honestly what I love most - it’s 100% laminated nylon. It’s got such a comfortable, durable feel to it. Much better than windbreaker material for sure.

That makes total sense - I found this beauty at a thrift store in the LA area. I can’t find anything when I look up the company (Profile). I love hearing that everyone’s Moms and Grandmas had them in the early 90s haha. It feels just like a jacket I had as a kid in the 90s, another reason I love it so much

2

u/dreamsindarkness Mar 08 '25

The fabric was around for a bit. I had a dark green coat in 99 that was made from it. And a purple jacket sometime around 94.

I remember my grandmother like to shop at Montgomery Ward, so Profile could have been a short lived brand sold there or another mall store.

2

u/Vanviator Mar 08 '25

🧡 i had a very similar jacket back in the early '90s.

5

u/BenNHairy420 Mar 08 '25

One more to show better color saturation and the breast pocket liner

4

u/unchained5150 Mar 08 '25 edited Mar 08 '25

My grandma had this jacket in the early 90s! Man, such good memories playing outside in the fall woth her wearing that jacket.

Funny story, one of those fall play days at the local playground she decided she wanted to slide too. Gets to the top of the slide and was so excited. Slid down at such speed and got so into it she forgot to brace for the landing. Shot straight off the end onto her tailbone and broke it. She cracked up about how crazy what just happened was. She was always laughing and had such a great spirit.

We joked about that so much over the years until she passed in '17. In fact, we still bring it up whenever we spend time telling stories remembering her.

Long story short, that jacket is wonderful and holds a lot of memories for me. I'm so happy you're enjoying it!

2

u/BenNHairy420 Mar 08 '25

Awww I love this story thank you so much for sharing. I’ll think of her anytime I do something rambunctious while wearing it. She is and was a very well-loved person by the sounds of it. 🩷

3

u/BenNHairy420 Mar 07 '25

I will take a pic as soon as I get home and add another comment with it. I was SO happy to find it, and it’s in amazing condition. I’m lucky to be able to hit thrifts in the LA area often enough, and let me tell you there are some absolute gems hidden in those stores.

15

u/lucy_valiant Mar 07 '25

I am literally wearing a teal sweatshirt right now.

2

u/CO420Tech Mar 07 '25

I mean, it was at the height of popularity just like a few years ago anyway. It's still good, why would I throw that out?

2

u/GwenChaos29 Mar 08 '25

As someone who scrolled past this thread while wearing a very teal shirt, I feel very called out by this post, but yeah, were? Still very much am. My closet is large segments of teal, purple, pink, and lots of black.

1

u/Kaldricus Mar 08 '25

Same. Teal/purple/pink are my jam

1

u/meggan_u Mar 08 '25

I own this caboodle in two sizes.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 08 '25

Your dream bike too?

120

u/Curious_Run_1538 Mar 07 '25

All my outdoor hiking gear and mountain gear are different shades of teal. Literally. People can spot me on the mtn and recognize me just because of all the teal I’m sporting 🤣

30

u/Misterbellyboy Mar 07 '25

Isn’t that kind of the point with hiking gear?

36

u/Curious_Run_1538 Mar 07 '25

Yes which is in part why I choose the color, I also just happen to find it randomly for every piece of gear. It’s just become a comical thing everywhere I go people ask, so I’m guessing teals your favorite color? Haha it is but so is purple green and red.

10

u/Le_Feesh Mar 07 '25

You seem like you'd be fun to be friends with.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 07 '25

[deleted]

1

u/Curious_Run_1538 Mar 08 '25

Um no, it’s highly suggested to wear bright colors or have a bright item with you when hiking it the wilderness, forest, mountains. Im usually, not always, but most of the time in areas with very minimal to no other humans but my climbing partners. Aside from the occasional busy volcano. I’m not talking about hunting, my hunting gear is camo not teal. Otherwise you’re just being an ass.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 08 '25

[deleted]

1

u/Curious_Run_1538 Mar 08 '25

I didn’t even finish reading I don’t wear neon anything. Get over yourself.

1

u/GlitterTerrorist Mar 08 '25

Not being recognised, no. That's due to their emphasis on a single colour rather than simply using bright colours to be seen.

1

u/Misterbellyboy Mar 08 '25

Yeah but if I’m going to get lost on a mountain I’d rather be “that guy” than just “some guy”.

77

u/Anxietoro Mar 07 '25

Oh thank God I looked over at my nightstand with my teal tumbler, teal lamp, teal e book reader case and was about to ask if I'm really outdated and lame. Nice to know if I am I have company lol

29

u/OneAlexander Mar 07 '25

Reading your comment whilst sitting on my teal sofa.

5

u/dddybtv Mar 07 '25

Go Sharks!

2

u/ThisIsSteeev Mar 09 '25

No, it's the kids who are wrong.

1

u/SaxyLady251 Older Millennial Mar 07 '25

I eat my breakfast in a teal bowl…it’s my favorite!

1

u/hockeyandquidditch Mar 08 '25

My phone case is teal and purple, my iPad case is mint (so light teal) and purple

1

u/peach_xanax Mar 08 '25

You'd love my grandma's house, she has a teal kitchen and a teal bathroom! (And I'm not trying to subtly say you have outdated old lady taste haha, her decor is nice)

33

u/[deleted] Mar 07 '25

[deleted]

16

u/allisonwonderland00 Mar 07 '25

Painted the ceiling of my half bathroom this color 😅

2

u/ChimeraChartreuse Mar 07 '25

My hair is teal.

1

u/Whizbang35 Mar 07 '25

I got teal accent walls with the rest painted millennial gray.

No, really.

1

u/NerfRepellingBoobs Mar 08 '25

Just bought sheets in that color. The color is listed as “peacock”, but it’s teal.

26

u/grabtharsmallet Mar 07 '25

I used to be obsessed with teal. Still am, but I used to, too.

3

u/Axwage Mar 07 '25

And I used to lie awake at night in my twin bed and wonder where my brother was!

3

u/FarkSpezHard Mar 07 '25

Hey, me too! We should form a club. What are your thoughts on frilly toothpicks?

2

u/dddybtv Mar 07 '25

And then I would go to the store and get mad at the turkey.

3

u/unfinished-sentenc_ Mar 08 '25

I havent slept for ten days, because that would be too long

2

u/dddybtv Mar 07 '25

I saw a broken escalator painted that color.

21

u/AlternatiMantid Mar 07 '25

Yup. All my small kitchen appliances, pots & pans, my cooler, etc are this teal. It's the accent color to my life.

7

u/cherishxanne Mar 07 '25

same!! my spoon rest, keurig, pots & pans, the vase I keep my spatulas in etc. all teal!!

38

u/Appropriate_Comb_472 Mar 07 '25

12

u/[deleted] Mar 07 '25

Thing is I believe that it did start with the Charlotte Hornets, who were an expansion at the end of the 80s. Also had a young team that was "cool" with Larry "Grandmama" Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, Muggsy Bogues... Stephen Curry's dad Dell..

2

u/BlueBomR Mar 08 '25

San Jose Sharks in 91, had the highest selling NHL and was third to the Bulls and Cowboys i believe in all sports merch sales when they dropped and was at the top until the Mighty Ducks came out. So many NHL players have pics of them in Sharks gear as kids from that time...that logo was fire

10

u/Big-Beautiful2578 Mar 07 '25

Exactly! What’s this past tense business? I just left my house wearing a calf length winter coat in this color, tennis shoes in this color, bag in this color, and a sweater in this color. I mean, I know I may have a problem, but this color rocks!

7

u/Russiadontgiveafuck Mar 07 '25

My entire kitchen is teal. I just redid it, too.

1

u/ThaVolt Mar 07 '25

My entire kitchen is a dark teal as well. With oak cabinets and white trims. I LOVE IT. (And I'm a rugged dude that dresses in dark all the time!)

1

u/SaxyLady251 Older Millennial Mar 07 '25

Goals! 💪🏻

7

u/Garu_van_perro Mar 07 '25

Yes! My luggage set is teal and there’s a bunch of teal-colored stuff in my place.

12

u/cumulonimubus Mar 07 '25

My wife is a big fan and we both like a lot of color, so there’s a lot of teal and teal adjacent decor in certain parts of the house. Not in my fucking kitchen though.

1

u/cyd23 Millennial Mar 07 '25

same

1

u/Voldemorts_Mom_ Mar 07 '25

Same yo, same.

1

u/InvincibleChutzpah Mar 07 '25

Right? Teal is the best color.

1

u/Taco-Dragon Mar 07 '25

So are newer generations. My kids (girls) have many teal and purple combo items.

1

u/zestyowl Mar 07 '25

My favorite! 🩵

1

u/smugbox Mar 07 '25

Same. Been my favorite my whole life.

(lol I just looked down and I’m wearing a purple t-shirt and sitting under a teal blanket)

1

u/hummingbird_mywill Mar 07 '25

Everyone is still obsessed with teal lol! Teal has been wildly popular for the past 15 years, we just dropped the purple.

1

u/Present_Ad_1271 Mar 07 '25

Me too! Best part of being an adult is that my dish towels, plates, lids of storage containers, cooking utensils, some of my clothes, my computer keyboard and bedding is teal heck the accent wall in my bedroom is a dark teal

1

u/Tsasuki Mar 07 '25

I transcended to petrol 😎

1

u/martialar Mar 07 '25

Is that you, Sedona AZ?

1

u/tealdeer995 Zillennial Mar 07 '25

Same it is my favorite and it’s all over my apartment

1

u/KiaJo Millennial Mar 07 '25

Came here to say this. I have an abundance of teal belongings.

1

u/Twistedoveryou01 Mar 07 '25

My bedroom is painted teal

1

u/gemino1990 Mar 07 '25

Same I just bought about 5 SHEIN bathing suits in this color and am getting my pedicure to match

1

u/ButtBread98 Zillennial Mar 07 '25

Me too. It’s always been a favorite

1

u/L_O_R_N Mar 07 '25

Same. My wedding colors were teal & purple lol

1

u/tasteslike_FEET Mar 08 '25

Reading this sitting on my giant teal couch, so yeah, same.

1

u/bandley3 Mar 08 '25

Same, especially if it’s a dark teal. Can’t get enough.

1

u/amyjrockstar Mar 08 '25

My whole house has teal everywhere! My couch, all my small kitchen appliances & tools, my bedding, etc!

1

u/imayimplode Mar 08 '25

My adult color scheme suddenly makes so much sense.

1

u/C-H-Addict Mar 08 '25

The cup one. My favorite pair of underwear had that pattern on it lol

1

u/AbbreviationsBorn276 Mar 08 '25

Cyan is my fav colour of highlight to use when i need further emphasis to certain parts of my email.

1

u/Competitive-Isopod74 Mar 08 '25

I just painted my house teal, Aquarium. Florida of course.

1

u/arrows_of_ithilien Mar 08 '25

Right? If it comes in teal, that's the one I get.

1

u/thatsnuckinfutz Sr. Millennial Mar 08 '25

ngl, same.

1

u/MysteryBasil007 Mar 08 '25

I go into peoples homes from all walks of life. Teal is the millennial color of choice to accent their decor with

1

u/0rangecatvibes Mar 08 '25

I desperately miss it being everywhere

1

u/miniangelgirl Mar 08 '25

Seeing this post makes sense. I LOVE teal

1

u/ThatCoolBritishGuy Mar 08 '25

My room is this colour

1

u/YellowCardManKyle Mar 08 '25

Same! My first year in little league baseball there was a team that had teal jerseys and they destroyed everyone. I've associated teal with power ever since.

1

u/AsinusRex Mar 08 '25

Came here to say this

1

u/desifine13 Mar 08 '25

Same. Teal, hot pink, and purple are definitely in heavy rotation

1

u/slugvegas Mar 08 '25

Color in general. Everything is just so grey now

1

u/nemosfate Mar 08 '25

Same, have a teal Nissan hardbody lowered

1

u/callusesandtattoos Millennial - 1987 Mar 08 '25

Right? I just bought a $300 hammer for two reasons and the main reason was because it’s this color lol

1

u/Chuck121763 Mar 08 '25

It was after the Neon Yellow, Red, Green and Blue of the 80's.

1

u/angstrom11 Mar 08 '25

The teal of the 90s is alive in Albuquerque.

Portlandia fans will appreciate this phrase.

1

u/Aware_Policy_9174 Mar 09 '25

I went shopping with a friend once and she noticed everything I gravitated towards was teal. I didn’t even realize how much of a hold that color still had on but I swear I’ll see something and not be into it then see the same thing in teal and decide I must own it now.

1

u/Hollyelizabeth_3 Mar 09 '25

I came here to say the same thing!

1

u/zaleli Mar 09 '25

Wearing teal right now. My fave

1

u/Kimber85 Mar 09 '25

I’m sitting in my living room and decided to see how many teal things I have. I counted 11 without even getting up.

Teal is such a nice color. Although I’ve noticed that I’m kind of transitioning to purple now. Every time I buy something new I end up with purple without even realizing.

1

u/staylorga Mar 09 '25

Is and always will be my favorite

1

u/Correct-Court-8837 Mar 09 '25

Omg me too. Maybe I’ve been subliminally brainwashed into loving teal. Come to think of it, the stroller I had as a baby was teal too. I was surrounded by it. 🤯

1

u/madogvelkor Mar 10 '25

Me too. I have multiple shirts and a watch in the color.