Grunge fashion

 Origins

Grunge derives from a term adopted by musicians in the American northwest. Dictionary.com defines it as "a style or fashion derived from a movement in rock music: in fashion characterized by unkempt clothing and in music by aggressive, nihilistic songs". Its first appearance was in 1972, but it did not become a popular term in widespread media until the late 80s. After the surge and decline of punk, music took a more direct approach toward its youth through the form of self-expression, focusing mainly on themes such as sadness and loneliness. This view that had made its mark on the youth of the time translated into their choice of fashion; "flannel shirts and Doc Martens boots were worn as an antifashion statement that is undoubtedly related to the unassuming and unvarnished nature of the music itself".

Pop Culture Influence on 90s Grunge

Music, fashion, tv and movies; all reflected a sense that Generation X did not want to be part of the belief in societal classes and the idea of human value being defined by money and property. Generation X did not approve of "serving machine" which is also known as the career-oriented lifestyle. One of the biggest influences of grunge fashion was music. Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana was the core of the grunge movement that revolutionized the cultural landscape of the 1990s, and one that continues to resonate in fashion and music today. Cobain's style was a combination from both male and female fashion, and " his Seattle thrift-store look ran the gamut of masculine lumberjack workwear and 40s-by-way-of-70s feminine dresses." Cobain's wife, Courtney Love, was mostly known for her "kinderwhore" sense of style which was used by many female grunge bands. The look consisted of barrettes, tiaras, ripped tights, Mary Janes, slips and Peter Pan collared dresses. Love claims that she drew inspiration of her kinderwhore look from Christina Amphlett of Divinyls.Pearl Jam, gave their grunge influence with not only their music but also with their style. Leather jackets, kilts, shorts over leggings, ripped jeans, snapbacks, and Doc Martens was what they were best known for.

Men's Fashion

Grunge fashion was influenced by disheveled and androgynous thrift store clothing. Kurt Cobain is noted as being a major style influence for 90's grunge. Clothing that was loose and de-emphasized the body's silhoutte defined the style. Men wore "shirts with slogans, band t-shirts, torn jeans, and flannels." "Ripped and faded jeans, flannel shirts or wool Pendletons layered over dirty T-shirts with outdated logos, and black combat-style boots such as Dr. Martens" were also essential pieces to the style.

Women's Fashion

In the 1990s, less was more and dressing down was an acceptable norm. For shoes women started wearing clunky combat boots and doc martens. They typically wore slip dresses with flannels, flannels and ripped jeans, plaid, layers, low-rise, ripped, wide-legged jeans. The clothing was paired with simple jewelry such as chokers and hoop earrings and dark, rich colored lipstick. Wide leg jeans from the 1970s came back by 1995 along with the baby doll t-shirt and large, chunky black boots. When flannels were worn, they were over-sized and when it became too hot to wear them, they were tied around the waist. Hairstyles included the half-up-half-down style and messy hair that made the impression nothing was done to it .

90s Grunge Today

According to an article written in 2013, the 90s made a comeback after New York Fashion Week when designers all had their take on Seattle's early 1990s boho chic. After NYFW, 90s grunge was seen in shopping malls everywhere and many were advertising grunge inspired back to school looks. While 90s fashion today is most heavily influenced by grunge, there are also small influences of Britpop and R&B. This mix of different fashion influences might be due to the fact that the 90s itself was so eclectic. Louise Wener, singer of the popular Britpop band Sleeper, said the 90s "went from Rachel in Friends to Courtney Love", demonstrating the vast differences in fashion during the decade. Many of today's designers look to works from photographers like Corinne Day, David Sims, Steven Meisel, and Juergen Teller for their raw and toned down fashion photos. There are many similarities between the grunge trend that was popular through out the 90s and grunge now in terms of style, but there is one large difference between the two. While the trend from the 90s really focused on second hand looks, and effortless and cheap outfits, the style today can come with designer prices and high-end names like Gucci.

It is also important to note that the grunge trend today isn't only seen in popular clothing styles, its seen in mainstream media everywhere. You can see it in the music we listen to and Neo-Nirvana bands, in the television shows we watch and their nostalgic formatting, and even in reality TV shows like Rupaul's Drag Race.