Grunge fashion emerged in the mid 1980s as a combination of the baggy oversized hippie style and dark and subdued punk style. If you were a Grunger (as you would be called if you listen to grunge music and follow Grunge fashion) you would have a lot of body piercings (nose, navel, eyebrow, and even tongue),and tattos, long uncombed hair with beanie hat on top, and wear faded, baggy, shabby, ripped clothes bought from thrift stores.
Today, a lot of these may be unnecessary for you to follow the grunge trend. But there are some grunge elements and outfits that you need to have in your wardrobe to be a part of this cool rebel fashion style that is the epitome of self-expression.
What is Grunge Fashion?
Grunge is a fashion style that emerged in the mid-1980s as a result of the rising popularity of a subgenre of rock music called grunge music derived from Hard rock, punk, and metal music. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, famous music bands like Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Sound Garden and Pearl Jam gave their own distinction to this music. It was hugely popular among the youth who saw this as a representation of their rebellion and defiance against societal norms.
They favored a style of fashion that went against everything ostentatious and over-the-top. It was against whatever was in fashion at that period. Though the popularity of grunge music was short-lived, the effect of grunge fashion still lingers.
Grunge Fashion elements
Tattered or ripped clothes
Ripped, torn, ragged, damaged, threadbare clothes – wearing these clothes conveyed a message to the society about the rebelliousness of this style against over-consumerism.
Layering
This was a very important element in grunge fashion. Say, you have 3 favourite clothes; in this style you can wear all of them together – they need to be in subdued colors and you should also carry them all with attitude. A long sleeved t-shirt was often worn over a short sleeved one. Another popular layering style was the flannel shirt over t-shirts, tank tops and crop tops.
Oversized baggy clothes
Dark colors in clothing and makeup
Dark doesnot necessarily mean black in grunge as it is in goth fashion. Here a lot subdued colors are used.
Tattoos
Metallic Details
The style incorporated metallic details in clothes and accessories such as metal studs, chains and straps, and jewelry like rings. Leather chokers with metalic studs.
Footwear
This included ankle length leather boots (Combat boots), fishnet stockings.
Grunge Outfits
Leather Jacket
Flannel shirts
The plaid patterned flannel shirt was part of the layered style in grunge. The flannel shirts were worn over graphic tees – both baggy. You can wear Flannel shirts tied around the waist over tshirts and tennis skirts or jeans, reminiscent of this style.
Ripped denim jeans/leggings
Slogan T-shirts
In the 1990s it was the band t-shirts, swearing allegiance to a particular music band. Today you can wear t-shirts with edgy writings and graphics to be that cool.
Slouchy sweaters
Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain wore these slouchy sweaters to his concerts and everyone followed.
Crop tops & mom jeans
Mom jeans, boyfriend jeans – all types of baggy jeans are preferred over slim fitting jeans. Read more on the different types of jeans here.
Tartan skirts
These are school girl mini length pleated or non-pleated skirts made in checquered wool fabrics.
Floral printed flowy sundress
Soft chiffon dresses can be paired with leather jackets or flannel shirts.
A seperate aesthetic called Fairycore grunge includes, lace elements, patches of flowers etc into the grunge style. If you are more into colors but still want the grunge style, you can follow the Pastel grunge with lots of pastel colored fashion elements integrated into the usual styles.
If you are still at it, listen to ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by Nirvana on youtube.
Read more on grunge fashion : Marc Jacobs 1992 fashion show featuring grunge outfits ; Look out for pictures of members of Grunge Music bands Nirvana, Screaming Tree, Sound Garden, Pearl Jam during the 1990s.
Related posts :What do you mean by word fashion?; Fashion related popular terms; 40+ different Clothing Styles ; Most popular Fashion subcultures
DIY edgy fashion hacks ; Punk style clothing; Scene fashion ; Hippie clothes ; Lagenlook style; Hip hop clothing styles.
Updated on November 3, 2022 by Sarina Tariq
Wow, that’s what I was seeking for, what a information! existing here at this blog,
thanks admin of this site.
🙂
As I started reading this article, “Now 90’s” on cable TV started playing “Smells Like Teen Spirit”…… sometimes the Universe just knows your thoughts.