The world according to teen Kate: 3 throwback must-haves for a ’90s day
By Reed Gaudens
This Is Us features many different versions of the Big Three, but teen Kate might be the coolest of them all. Here’s three ways to channel her ’90s vibe!
One of the greatest aspects of This Is Us is that it allows viewers to get to know the characters across multiple decades. We have watched the Big Three enter the world, take their first steps, deal with bullies, survive their twenties, fall in and out of love, and battle their darkest demons. But their teenage years stand out, especially when it comes to teen Kate.
Aside from being formative because of puberty, the Big Three lost their father when they were teenagers. They were forced to grow up in an instant during the time when they were supposed to be figuring out who they were. Tragedy or no tragedy, teen Kate was objectively much cooler than her brothers and is the subject of our nostalgic ’90s envy. How can we put a pin in 2018 and escape to the past? This is the world according to teen Kate!
1. Sex and the City marathons and Hot Pockets
When the Big Three jetted off to Las Vegas to celebrate Kate and Toby’s bachelor and bachelorette parties, tension arose between Kate, Beth, and Randall. Long story short, Kate ended up in the middle of Beth and Randall’s argument about Deja by inserting her own issues, and it was a mess. However, Randall smooths things over with his sister and recalls their days as teenagers having Sex and the City marathons and eating Hot Pockets.
What’s more ’90s than diving into the romantic misadventures of Carrie Bradshaw while noshing on the preferred microwaveable treat of an entire generation? Sex and the City began airing its iconic run, which includes two theatrical films and endless syndication, on HBO in 1998. You can still catch the show on television at any given hour, and paired with a Hot Pocket, you can’t go wrong. Teen Kate knew exactly what was up.
2. Alanis Morissette
If you were born anytime in the ’90s or before, you can name pretty much all of Alanis Morissette’s hits and probably sing the choruses word for word, too. Following the release of her international debut album — and a total blockbuster juggernaut — Jagged Little Pill in 1995, Morissette’s brand of post-grunge pop-rock took over the world. And teen Kate loved the singer enough to skip school for a signing. (That scene with Jack — tears!) Break out your angst and belt out “You Oughta Know.”
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Next: Here’s how Hannah Zeile landed the role as teen Kate on This Is Us
3. All of the flannel and chokers
Apart from her interest in the best television shows and music the ’90s had to offer, teen Kate had the best sense of style. Compared to her brothers (Randall went for the preppy look, while Kevin basically sported The Breakfast Club jock cosplay), Kate rocked the perfect grunge look straight out of Empire Records, a movie she surely loved. To go with your Sex and the City, Hot Pockets, and Alanis Morissette, don your best black tees, plaid flannels, and choker necklaces. Luckily, these fashion statements are back in style. What’s old is new again!
What were/are your ’90s staples? Which of teen Kate’s favorite things is YOUR favorite? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to keep the throwback conversation going over on Twitter at @thisisuscrying!
This Is Us returns for Season 3 in September on NBC.