What Is Grunge Fashion? Know The Aesthetic And Adopt The Best Styles This Season
Have you heard of music bands like Pearl Jam or Nirvana? These bands were the major reasons behind the blossoming of grunge fashion in the early 1990s. This fashion aesthetic, however, started getting popular in the 1980s.
The grunge way of dressing has evolved with time. After so many years from its birth, this aesthetic is still relevant with a contemporary approach.
Do you want to know more about grunge clothes and how you can wear them for your daily dose of fashion? Here is a complete guide.
What Is Grunge Fashion?
The presence of thrift store fashion defines grunge fashion. With loose-fitted clothes and an androgynous style, this aesthetic promoted a signature unkempt look.
This aesthetic is also about not caring much about the current trends and maintaining an eclectic nature. It has adapted many elements from anti-fashion subcultures like metal and goth.
Further, originally, thrift stores were the place to procure grunge clothes and accessories. Grunge fashion had clothes designed after trends popular in bygone eras.
Overall, the grunge way of dressing has been an extension of one’s taste in music, political inclination, and individuality.
What Are Grunge Fashion Clothes?
If you observe fashion closely, you will see the presence of a lot of oversized clothes in grunge fashion. It was a paradigm shift from the tight-fitted clothes of the 80s. These clothes were more relaxed and refused to define the silhouette.
Men and women loved wearing baggy T-shirts, relaxed-fit jeans, hoodies, beanies and boots. Doc Martens was the most sought-after among boots.
How Does 90s Grunge Fashion Look Like?
The 90s grunge fashion had all the popular elements of this fashion aesthetic. You can see everyone wearing graphic tees, ripped jeans, and combat boots.
However, in the 1990s, there was a greater focus on accessorizing. So, along with oversized clothes, you will also see the use of oversized sunglasses and chokers in abundance.
Different Grunge Fashion Subcultures You Must Know About
Grunge fashion has been flexible, and it gives many people the chance to personalize their styles. With time, many subcultures have grown out of this grunge culture.
Let’s know about these subcultures briefly.
Soft Grunge
Soft grunge is about keeping the core vibes of the 90s intact with the fusion of current fashion trends.
In soft grunge, you will see women wearing oversized flannel shirts and outfits in pastel shades.
Romantic Grunge
Romantic grunge promotes a more feminine or softer way of dressing. You will see the presence of neutral shades or sometimes jewel tones.
Baby doll dresses are the most popular clothes born out of the romantic grunge subculture. There was also a prominent use of velvet and soft floral prints in the romantic grunge style.
Bookish Grunge
Bookish grunge brought a dark academia style to the way of dressing. So, you will find women wearing long skirts and oversized sweaters.
In footwear, chunky boots or Doc Martens look better with bookish grunge clothes.
Outdoorsy Grunge
Outdoorsy grunge is more about functionality and is a reflection of the working-woman style. To emulate this subculture, you can wear a long flannel coat with trousers and boots.
Punk Grunge
As the name suggests punk grunge is a fusion of the punk and grunge way of dressing. Women following this trend loved wearing biker jackets, plaid skirts, and baggy jeans.
If you want some inspiration, you can check out how Kourtney Kardashian aces the punk grunge style.
How To Perfect Grunge Fashion For Women This Season
The beauty of grunge fashion lies in its inclusivity. With the right art of styling, you can take almost any relaxed fit outfit and give it a grunge twist.
Here, I have curated some of the coolest outfit ideas so that you can experiment with different grunge looks.
1. Rock Your Grunge Fashion In An Oversized Flannel Shirt
You cannot think of grunge fashion without flannel shirts. These shirts are also associated with another popular aesthetic, cowboy fashion.
This season, try acing the grunge look by wearing an oversized flannel shirt. You can wear the shirt as a standalone top.
You can wear the same shirt for layering a tee or top.
2. Wear Baggy Jeans With Band T-Shirts
Graphic-printed band T-shirts with slogans and quotes and T-shirts with band patches were very popular in grunge fashion.
If you are a fan of the grunge style, you can wear band T-shirts with baggy jeans. Doc Martens or classic boots will be excellent choices with this combination.
Accessorize your outfit with a crossbody bag to complete your look.
3. Choose Leather Jacket To Wear With Tights
There were a lot of similarities in the way grunge and punk fashion happened. So, like punk fashion, leather jackets were also present in the grunge way of dressing.
You can wear this jacket jacket with tights to bring out the diva in you. The ensemble is perfect for autumn and winter outings.
Based on your fashion preference, wear a tube top or a regular top beneath this leather jacket.
4. Flaunt The Check Top And Leather Skirt Combination
You cannot avoid the popularity of checks and tartan outfits in grunge fashion. Checks also add a lot of colors and character to the outfit you wear.
To show your love for grunge fashion, you can wear a check top with a leather skirt.
This combination will look excellent with leather boots and sneakers.
5. Keep It Trendy In Camouflage Mini Skirts And Crop Tops
Do you want to give your grunge style of clothing a funky twist? The beauty of grunge fashion lies in how it adapts to different elements.
Wear a camouflage mini skirt with a crop top to look sexy for casual outings. High boots and a crossbody bag will go well with this look.
6. Plaid Skirt And Tank Tops: The Best Combination You Can Try
If you want your style statement to be effortlessly sexy, you can choose a combination of a plaid skirt and tank top.
It is the best grunge outfit you can try this summer. However, you can wear the same style for autumn and winter with the right layering art.
For layering, choose a denim or leather jacket.
7. Ace Grunge Fashion In Slouchy Sweater
Did you know that your slouchy sweater can be an essential outfit to perfect your grunge way of dressing?
Yes, this autumn and winter loungewear can also double as a casual outfit.
Wear the slouchy and oversized sweater with high boots to make a style statement.
If you want further layering, you can wear the sweater with a leather jacket to put your best foot forward.
8. Choose An Oversized Hoodie For Perfect Layering
Hoodies have been very popular in grunge fashion as they allow layering and add a cool vibe to the way of dressing.
Wear this hoodie with frayed jeans or leather pants to get ready for casual outings.
Staying true to the grunge fashion vibe, you can wear boots or sneakers to complement this outfit.
9. Flaunt Your Curves In Wrapped Grunge Outfit
Wrap-style outfits are always popular thanks to the way they accentuate a woman’s figure.
A wrap-style dress will give your waistline and hips a slimmer appearance.
So, if you are heading to a party and need something to wear in grunge style, choose a wrapped dress with animal prints or funky patterns.
10. Team Oversized Animal-Printed Coats With Skinny-fit Leather Pants
If you are an aficionado of haughty fashion, you may try a combination of an animal-printed coat with skinny leather pants.
The oversized structure of the coat will exude the core vibe of grunge style with leather pants, another popular element in this fashion aesthetic.
11. Look Stylish In An Oversized Shirt
Grunge clothes were never made to define the silhouette. These clothes always promoted a laid-back attitude in dressing.
Choose an oversized shirt to get ready for any casual occasion. You can wear the oversized shirt as a dress accessorized with a leather belt.
You can even team up leather pants with this oversized shirt to elevate your style quotient this season.
Frayed shorts and jeans will also look cool with an oversized shirt.
12. Choose A Feminine Style In A Floral Printed Outfit With Slits And Cutout Detailing
In the 1990s, floral patterns were very much present in the grunge way of dressing.
To take your fashion a few notches higher, you can wear a floral dress with high slits and cutout detailing.
Slits and cutout detailing will also help you to flaunt your sensuality.
13. Try The Leather Jacket And Denim Jeans Combination
The leather and denim combination never fails to win our hearts. This season, you can wear a leather jacket with denim jeans to keep your fashion basic yet stylish.
You can even team up your leather jacket with denim shorts. Sometimes, you can also try the double leather look by wearing your leather jacket with leather pants.
14. Wear A Corset Top With Mini Skirt
Do you want to flatter your bust area and indulge in some sultry cleavage show? You can definitely pick a corset top for you.
To keep the overall look sexy, you can wear the corset top with a mini skirt and boots.
15. Choose A Frayed Denim Slip Dress
Slip dresses are back this season. These outfits are also one of the most popular elements of grunge fashion.
Get a frayed denim slip dress to showcase your distinct way of dressing. Wear the dress with leather shoes to step out in style for a coffee date or date night.
16. Team Up Cargo Pants With A Printed Crop Top
Do you want a fusion of style, comfort, and utility? You can definitely try a combination of cargo pants with a crop top.
This way of dressing will offer you maximum breathability.
Wear leather boots or sneakers to complete your look for any casual outing.
17. Wear An Oversized Striped Shirt With Fishnet Tights
It’s time to keep it simple and sexy. So, this season, wear an oversized striped shirt with fishnet tights to charm everyone with your fashion preferences.
Accessorize the shirt with a leather belt, and choose combat boots as your footwear.
18. Skater Dress With High Boots To Look Sexy
Grunge style has been very adaptive in acquiring influence from other fashion aesthetics.
So, there is no wonder in acing a grungy look in a skater dress. However, to optimize the grungy vibe, choose a black skater dress.
Now, wear the skater dress with high leather boots to sport a feminine look. Don’t forget your beanie cap to complement this style.
19. Wear A Halter Neck Top With Frayed Jeans
How about making a bold style statement this season? Choose a halter neck top to get noticed for your fashion choices.
Frayed denim jeans or shorts will be an excellent choice to go with this halter-neck top.
However, for parties and special occasions, you can choose leather pants or mini skirts as the perfect complement to this top.
20. Go For Printed Pants Matched With Regular Tees
If you want to keep it simple and stylish, you can go for the easiest combination with printed pants and regular tees.
Wear the pants and tee combination with sneakers and boots to walk in style.
Final Words
Grunge fashion expressed a certain way of living, and it stood against mainstream fashion. However, the relaxed and cool vibe of the fashion aesthetic slowly helped it find a place in mainstream fashion, with fashion shows and popular faces flaunting this way of dressing.
The year 2023 especially paved the way for the resurgence of grunge fashion in a bigger and better way, with the presence of this aesthetic in spring/summer collections showcased at prominent fashion events.
Names like Kylie Jenner have shown how this way of dressing can be very much a part of your everyday fashion.
Do you want to adapt the grunge style to your clothes? You can check out the options I have discussed here. Also, don’t forget to share your input on this fashion aesthetic.
To learn about more fashion aesthetics, you can read our guide on skater fashion.
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