The Grunge style started in the 80s, and 90’s as a style of rock music and grew into something much more inspirational. The grunge music brought to life a culture that inspired an entire movement of young people with a purpose. As the music genre grew, so did a new fashion style.

Grunge music is a hybrid between metal and punk with the edgy sounds of warped guitars accompanied by heavy bass. The bands that brought about the Grunge music era were Nirvana, Hole, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, Bush, and Soundgarden.

Much of the music was dark and focused more on social isolation, being a misfit and misunderstood, with a heavy dose of anti-consumerism. Even though seemingly dark, it told stories of real people suffering from dark times in their life. Many young teenagers were drawn to the music and felt connected with the music that was written.

Today we will talk about the profound impact of Grunge music on the fashion world.

Let’s dive in!

What Is Grunge Fashion?

The Grunge fashion follows the music that inspired it, which is edgy, somber, and has a look of carelessness about the outfit because the clothing tended to imitate the clothes of the band members. Many band members tried to save money by shopping at thrift stores which carried lots of flannel shirts, boots made out of leather, and loggers.

This style was quite different than the typical bright colors which were popular at the time. The dark style with leather jackets, chains, combat boots, cut-off sleeves, and all-black clothing became the focal point of the fashion statement.

There were lots of velvet, beanies, ripped and baggy denim, babydoll dresses, ripped tights, and bandanas. Besides their clothes, the style was all about the unkempt, slightly messy look, with women walking around with messy-style hair and men with unshaved faces.

What Are The Different Types of Grunge Style?

As the Grunge style grew, there were variations of the look, such as soft grunge, metal grunge, indie grunge, vintage grunge, and pastel grunge. All of these looks created a uniqueness among the fashion style and allowed people to express themselves in different ways.

How To Dress Grunge

The Grunge style has been around for a long time, but it seemed to disappear for a while, and now it’s back! Here are some tips on how to put your Grunge wardrobe together.

Dress in black or dark colors.
Denim and leather are fantastic pieces because they go with everything.
Chains, heavy or light, are a great way to accessorize your grunge outfit.
Wear oversized and ripped t-shirts for a rougher look.
Keep your hair messy.
Wear bold and dark-colored makeup.
Wear ripped tights under flowy skirts.
Flannel shirts and vintage rock tees are the keys to your Grunge look.

Clothes To Buy To Create your Grunge Look

Now that you know a few tips about the Grunge style and where it comes from, let’s put your wardrobe together!

Plaid and Graphic T-Shirts

The iconic graphic t-shirt and loose plaid shirt are the pinnacles of the Grunge style. If you have a few hanging in your closet, they create a great base to start your look. You can wear them together or wear them by themselves.

Creating that perfect grunge look comes down to strategic layering of clothing. All your layers don’t need to be baggy, but wearing an oversized button-up shirt will look fabulous over a tight tank top or half-top.

Doc Martens, Oxfords, & Creepers

Regarding footwear, ankle-high boots and shoes should be worn to balance your grunge style, so you should invest in some Doc Martens, high-top sneakers, or black leather combat boots.

Be sure not to buy shiny shoes as they won’t do much for your outfit. You can wear flat shoes during the day if you are doing a lot of walking, but clunky shoes and creepers are ideal for creating the iconic grunge look.

Distressed and Baggy Denim

Baggy and distressed denim is the way to go when dressing grunge - wide legs, skater style, holes in the knees, and high-wasted jeans. All these jeans should be worn at full-length, but if you want to give your look a touch of modernness, feel free to wear a cropped pair of jeans.

Blacks, greys, acid-washed, stone-washed, and faded dark colors are the primary colors you want to choose when working with denim.

Chains

Chain details accessorize any grunge style that you choose. Opt for heavy hardware around your neck if you’re not ready for the chains dangling from the waist. Chain-link jewelry works excellently and gives your look an edgier vibe.

Although you will see a lot of silver chains added to outfits since silver and black make a great combination, you can also go with gold if the other pieces of your outfit match the gold chain.

Long Sleeves Under T-shirts

In the 1990s and the early 2000s, wearing long-sleeve shirts underneath a t-shirt was a power move by some music artists. Now, as both grunge fashion and music are making their comeback, we are naturally seeing people wear this style once again.

This long sleeve shirt under the t-shirt style makes you look more boyish and boxy and adds a sense of roughness to the outfit.

Express Yourself With Grunge Fashion

Grunge fashion is making a significant comeback, and just about anyone can wear it! At times it can feel like it is a laborious style to incorporate as it looks like it has lots of rules, but that’s not the case.

Dressing Grunge is versitile, and you can do whatever makes you feel great with your personalized influences. Whether you choose a softer or metal grunge look, we hope this article has helped you understand how fabulous this fashion truly is.

Creating The Look: What Is Grunge Fashion And How Do You Wear It?