Grunge emerged in the late 1980s against the backdrop of Seattle's rock music rebirth as a fashion style that influenced not only apparel but also other cultural movements in general. However, grunge aesthetics achieved widespread acceptance and appeal in the early 1990s, owing to bands such as Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam. Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain and his wife Courtney Love were the pioneers and kings of grunge culture, loudly condemning the whole establishment society. Cobain, who typically wore light jeans, heavy eyeliner, and old-school cardigans, introduced a gentler, androgynous image to punk rock fashion. Courtney was renowned for her extensive collection of mini-dresses, fishnet stockings, and tiaras.
Oversized T-shirts, hoodies, torn jeans, oversized denim, Vans shoes, and Doc Martens boots were the initial grunge fashion pieces.
However, the grunge movement went beyond just aestheticism. This look represented a conscious rejection of mainstream and commercial society. Taking inspiration from earlier subcultures (goths, punks, and metalheads), grunge supporters transformed secondhand stores into new fashion hotspots where buyers could select pieces from many eras to create their own style.
Grunge's beauty has always been and will always be found in imperfection and the art of casual appearance. According to New York Times fashion critic Bernadine Morris, the classic grunge ensemble looks like it was put together with your eyes closed in a very dark room.
Over time, the grunge style has been divided into many substyles: soft grunge, glam grunge, glam goth grunge, lumberjack grunge, fake core grunge, indie sleaze grunge, indie punk sleaze grunge, and so on.
Today, grunge-style outfits may be seen on older stars like Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and Gigi Hadid, as well as on younger pop culture icons like Jenna Ortega, Willow Smith, Lily-Rose Depp, and others.
Mismatched flowing georgette dresses, billowing blouses, maxi skirts with frills, hook-and-eye closures, and lingerie-like parts all have a little fetishistic, romantic, and sad air to them. Blumarine, No/Faith Studios, and Red September are among the brands that are reimagining this look today.
While fashion trends come and go, grunge stays eternal, flawlessly adjusting to the times while retaining its essence.