I was caught a little off guard last month when I walked into Forever 21 in search of 80’s-style apparel and was instead confronted by Laura Ashley-knockoffs and racks full of clothes that looked like they came straight of out a Wet Seal or Contempo Casuals in 1993. I probably shouldn’t have been surprised. After all, at Christmas Urban Outfitters was full of dresses that looked straight out of Reality Bites. And I have been rocking a large-scale-plaid babydoll dress with cropped leggings for a year now.

Then there was that e-mail I got a few weeks ago from Elle (I think), full of photos of crushed velvet dresses and denim vests — about 15 times more expensive than the ones I had in middle school, of course. And now there’s this New York Times article about the resurgence of Elaine-style dressing. As in Seinfeld. I’m not really sure what to think about it.

Honestly, I like a lot of 90’s fashion. I love a good plaid shirt (much to my mother’s chagrin). I am really excited that these Doc Martens, which bear a strong resemblance to the ones I coveted in 9th grade, are available again. My toenails are currently painted sky blue — almost the exact same color my fingernails were painted in 1994, but this time I didn’t have to mix the polish myself. I am not afraid to wear colored and/or patterned tights or Mary Janes (though I am probably too old for the latter). And I might even consider clogs.

But while fashion is cyclical, it shouldn’t be a complete regurgitation of the original. Designers should be putting an updated twist on things (and you can, too). You can reference the 90’s without wearing houndstooth shorts, tights, high-heeled clogs, a boxy blazer with shoulder pads and a beret all at the same time.

Elaine wasn’t a fashion icon then and she shouldn’t be a fashion icon now. If you want a 90’s girl to emulate, try Angela from “My So-Called Life” or Cher from “Clueless.” This whole Chloe Sevingy, “ironic” high-waisted stonewashed jean shorts with a floral polyester top, ugly-as-pretty thing is just stupid. If you want to wear athletic socks with Mary Janes from the “comfort” section because you have bad arches, fine. If you want to buy the floral clownsuit with a Peter Pan collar I was wearing in my first passport photo (I know, I need to find that photo) because it is only $2 at Goodwill and you can’t afford anything else, go for it. Just be aware that you look ridiculous.