This Timeless Shoe Trend Makes Every Black-Dress Outfit Look So '90s

If anyone has mastered the art of putting together a chic, '90s-inspired outfit, it's Jennifer Aniston, one of the many well-dressed women who inspired the easily-recognizable aesthetic back in her Friends days. While the '90s are long over, Aniston hasn't forgotten how to make simple pieces look elegant and elevated in that '90s way. She proved so on Tuesday night when she attended an after-party for the premiere of The Morning Show's new season at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan, wearing an ensemble straight out of the era. Actually, all throughout the press tour for the show, she has utilized a specific '90s outfit combination for her looks, and yes, it's just as effective now as it was back then. Her styling trick? Pairing black dresses with barely-there strappy sandals.

What makes the duo so effective is how simple and timeless it is. Any black dress style will do, whether it's a strapless gown like the Rick Owens one she wore to the show's actual premiere or the V-neck, knee-length alt she changed into afterward. By going for super-clean heeled sandals (a custom Jimmy Choo pair with one toe strap and another slingback strap), she maintained an air of stress-free, effortless sophistication that perfectly describes street style from the decade.

On Jennifer Aniston: custom Jimmy Choo shoes

Aniston isn't the only one who knows how foolproof a black dress and strappy black sandals are. On the same night, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was spotted outside Brasserie Zédel in London wearing a similarly '90s-esque look to the Elle Style Awards. For the occasion, the model chose a black Burberry minidress with a square neckline and V-shaped hem from the brand's F/W 25 collection. With it, she carried Burberry's Bridle Clutch, wore a selection of jewelry items from Tiffany & Co., and completed the night-out look perfectly with a pair of Aquazzura strappy black sandals.

On Rosie Huntington-Whiteley: Burberry dress and Bridle Clutch ($1995); Aquazzura shoes; Tiffany & Co. jewelry

Clearly, the combo is foolproof if a '90s look is what you're going for, whether you're heading to a red carpet event, a night out, or a dinner date. Whatever black dress you choose, your outfit will fall into place when paired with black strappy sandals. Trust me—it works every time.