GRUNGE STYLE: A REBELLION THAT NEVER GOES OUT OF FASHION
Grunge is not just a style; it’s an attitude. In the 80s, this movement emerged in the Seattle music scene as a protest against the superficiality of the time, but its influence went far beyond music: it conquered fashion and pop culture. Bands like Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Pearl Jam, and Hole brought with them a raw, distorted sound, but also an aesthetic that celebrated the imperfect, the dirty, and the authentic.
Where Does Grunge Come From? The Revolution of the Messy
In the late 80s and early 90s, grunge exploded in Seattle, as bands began mixing punk and metal, creating a raw sound, almost like a musical chaos. But grunge was not only a musical response; it was also a direct rejection of the consumerism and luxury that dominated the 80s. Kurt Cobain, with his messy hair and second-hand clothes, became the face of this rebellion, showing the world that authenticity doesn’t have to be polished.
Grunge in High Fashion: The Dirty Becomes Chic
Although grunge was born in the underground, its messy vibe quickly made its way to the runways. In 1993, Marc Jacobs presented a collection for Perry Ellis that incorporated flannel shirts, military boots, and ripped jeans, something completely unexpected for the luxury fashion industry. The collection sparked all kinds of reactions but ended up becoming a milestone, marking the beginning of “grunge chic,” a trend that was eventually embraced by designers like Anna Sui and Hedi Slimane, among others.
The Grunge Look: Everything You Need to Know
Grunge is built on comfort and authenticity. It’s a style that seems indifferent to fashion, but at the same time, it’s carefully planned to look casual. Band t-shirts, ripped jeans, flannel jackets, and work boots like Dr. Martens or Converse are essentials in the look. The key is layers: more is more! Pieces that are combined effortlessly, but at the same time, convey a totally carefree attitude.
The predominant colors are dark and muted: black, gray, burgundy, as if the clothes are ready to be recycled. Prints also play an important role, from plaid to flowers or animal print. And let’s not forget the feminine touch in the grunge look for women, seen in slip dresses paired with flannel jackets and chunky boots.
Grunge Icons: Kurt and Courtney
Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love were not only key figures in music but also in grunge fashion. Cobain, by mixing both masculine and feminine styles without fear, became a model of what it meant to not care about fitting into traditional expectations. His old sweaters, band t-shirts, and ripped jeans are still a legacy of style that remains relevant today.
Courtney Love, on the other hand, showed us a more feminine side of grunge, with slip dresses, torn tights, and boots with a defiant attitude. Her “kinderwhore” style (as she defined it) mixed innocence and rebellion, creating a raw and powerful femininity.
Grunge Today: More Alive Than Ever!
Although grunge exploded in the 90s, it still has a huge influence on current fashion. Generation Z has resurrected it, giving it a fresh and modern twist. “Grunge glam” and “grunge fairycore” are just some of the versions we now see on the streets, and celebrities like Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and Gigi Hadid can’t stop mixing it with more contemporary touches.
On the runways, brands like Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent have embraced this aesthetic, bringing grunge to haute couture with a more refined approach. Over the years, grunge has evolved, but it always maintains its essence of rebellion against social expectations.
The grunge is more than just a clothing style. It’s an attitude, a way of rejecting perfection and embracing imperfection. From its roots in music to its modern reinterpretations, grunge remains a powerful form of resistance and self-expression. Who says we can’t be rebels and still look amazing?