The Ultimate 90s Grunge Style Guide
One of the most prevalent fashion styles in the 90s was grunge. This style gained momentum around 1992, and was heavily influenced by grunge music at that time. Popular grunge music included Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Soundgarden, Bush, Pearl Jam, and more. All of this music was extremely influential not only for the grunge scene, but for broader genres such as alternative and modern rock. This music was also highly influential to grunge fashion in the 90s. Even today, aspects of this fashion are still quite popular. If you’re interested in adding elements of 90s grunge into your wardrobe, then keep reading to find out the key components of this iconic style.
Dark Flannels
One of the biggest staples when it comes to 90s grunge is the dark flannel. You can’t go wrong with flannels of any color, but if you really want to emulate the iconic 90s style, then you’ll definitely want to steer toward darker colors like black, blue, maroon, or green. The great thing about flannels is that you can wear them year-round. In the winter, they’re great for layering beneath a coat or wearing indoors, and in the summer, you can instantly make your outfit so much cuter by tying a flannel around your waist.
Ripped jeans
Another vital aspect of grunge style is ripped jeans, as you’re probably well aware! It’s arguable that ripped jeans have never really gone out of style. Somehow, they manage to fit in with a variety of different styles and look consistently fashionable, despite being… ripped. An alternative to ripped jeans would be acid-wash jeans, although they might be a little less wearable today. If you don’t feel like wearing ripped jeans or acid-wash jeans, another option that fits in fairly well with 90s grunge is to simply cuff your jeans!
Graphic tees
Graphic and band t-shirts are one of the first things to come to mind when people think of 90s grunge style. Obviously, there was absolutely incredible music in the 90s, so band shirts remained super popular during this decade. If you’re trying to incorporate more grunge into your style, then one of the easiest and most foolproof ways to do that is to invest in some old graphic tees and band shirts. If you don’t know where to start, then check out some of the most popular grunge bands in the 90s. You might also find some great options at the thrift store, so that’s definitely worth a shot! That way, you can express your individual interests while also exemplifying a classic fashion style. It’s quick, effortless, and effective.
Combat boots
The footwear in the 90s was pretty amazing, honestly. In addition to combat boots, lots of iconic sneakers and skater shoes started becoming popular in this decade, and a lot of these shoes remain popular today. If you want to get the classic 90s grunge look, then combat boots are a must. They’re surprisingly wearable, especially since similar shoe styles are popular today. There are still a ton of amazing combat boot options on the market, so you’ll definitely be able to find a unique style to fit your preferences.
Striped shirts
Once again, striped shirts are still super prevalent in fashion today, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find pieces you like. Coupled with the dark and moody colors of grunge style, the simple black and white pattern of a cute striped shirt is an amazing contrast that can pull your whole outfit together. Whether you prefer a simple t-shirt, a crop top, or something a little more complex, striped shirts can be worn in a variety of ways — you probably already have some options in your closet!
Babydoll Dress
Interestingly enough, the babydoll dress started to become quite popular in the grunge scene of the 90s. This style of dress still remains popular today, so you should have no difficulty locating pieces you like. In order to make this classic dress a bit more grunge, you could wear detailed black tights underneath, pair it with combat boots or high-top sneakers, and throw on an oversized jacket or flannel over top.
Oversized outerwear
When you’re trying to recreate a specific style from a previous decade, it’s important to consider the overall silhouette you want to go for. When it comes to 90s grunge, the silhouette is a vital aspect, even though there are several different variations. In order to truly emulate this style, one of the easiest ways to replicate the overall silhouette is to wear oversized outerwear. Whether you choose to wear a flannel, cardigan, or jacket, it’s important that it’s oversized. This helps to create the iconic 90s silhouette that includes a range of different fits and sizes. One of the most classic combinations involves jeans, a tight-fitting or slightly cropped shirt, and big outerwear. For whatever reason, this looks so good, and you’re bound to feel confident in this type of outfit!
Maroon, dark green, and indigo
When all else fails, one of the best ways to dress like you live in the 90s is to focus on color. When it comes to grunge, some of the most prevalent colors tend to be dark, as you probably expected. This can include black, gray, maroon, dark green, indigo, and more. If the color is moody, muted, and cool-toned, then it’s probably perfect. The good thing about focusing on color is that you can find modern pieces that also have a 90s flair. That way, it becomes easier than ever to build a 90s-inspired wardrobe that includes current pieces.
