How the Grunge aesthetic has shaped fashion and how you can get the look
Similar to many teen cultures of the past, the 90s grunge aesthetic was heavily influenced by the popular music and musicians of the time who acted as leaders of the era’s counterculture, which pedestaled anti-establishment ideologies and a move away from mainstream fashion and culture.
A new blended genre of music emerged combining punk and metal, this movement was headed by bands like pearl jam, nirvana and sound garden.
The musicians gritty and raw sound was reflected in their relaxed style.
Especially with lead singer of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, who’s ripped jeans, matted hair and grandad jumpers took the UK fashion scene by storm.
The original grunge look took inspiration from many eras for example the 70s hippie movement borrowing the long hair on men fad and the 70s obsession with vintage pieces.
This amalgamation of different eras of fashion may be why the grunge aesthetic has managed to stay relevant throughout the 2000s, 2010s and now even the 2020s.
Although different generations have reinvented the style in their own way, the key components have always stayed the same, a focus on ripped garments and an edgy indie feel.
Just as kids of the 90s wore Dr. Marten boots with ripped tights and floral baby doll dresses, modern teens have taken to pairing their Dr. Martens with hot pants and studded belts achieving a very similar aesthetic as all those years ago.
The most notable example of grunge culture in current fashion trends is the latest TikTok craze where users are cutting up oversized band tees to make stylish backless off-shoulder tops, showing how grungy ripped garments are now more popular than ever.
@miiaaaspamaccTOP TUTORIAL🥳🥳♬ Fashion Killa – A$AP Rocky
This is a great idea on how to sustainably achieve the grunge look, but if taking scissors to your favourite shirt doesn’t appeal to you here is Fashion North’s best attempt at how you can recreate the effortless style of 90s grunge culture.
How to get the look:
Dr. Martens, founded in 1947, were the pinnacle of grunge style, giving wearers an edgy alt look, their durability also reflected the practicality and realism of the grunge aesthetic. Dr. Martens are still seen on the high street today meaning you can achieve the same authentic 90s look today.
An oversized, sometimes ripped band-Tee was also an essential item in any grunge wardrobe especially from a grunge or alternative band, to show others your elite taste in music.
Floral mini dresses were sometimes layered underneath to add an interesting feminine contrast to the rest of the look, rebelling against typical ideas of gendered dress. This empire waste dress from motel reflects the duality of the grunge aesthetic and would be perfect to develop your grunge style.
