Mindful Microtrends: Grunge
In last week’s article, we talked about cottagecore. This week, we’ll be taking a totally different direction aesthetics-wise: grunge. It’s not necessarily a microtrend in its traditional form, but its revival – as well as its influence on modern microtrends, like fairycore – makes it an important entry in this series.
Grunge fashion first emerged in the late 80s, alongside the rock music genre (which shares its name). It then gained traction in the 90s after the rise of bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Baggy, distressed, and dark clothing are grunge staples. For those who have old, oversized clothing and don’t know what to do with them, this style can be perfect.
The traditional 90s aesthetic, which has a “less is more” vibe, lends itself to fashion sustainability. The recent grunge revival, however, is more accessory-focused. While it’s not impossible to sustainably engage in the modern grunge aesthetic, it can be a bit more difficult. Don’t worry, though – there’s tons of overlap between the two versions, and we have some tips on both.
Tops
Got some old flannel shirts? Now’s the time to break them out of the back of your closet. Dark t-shirts are a great pair to flannels, especially band tees. If you want to spice it up a bit and create your own graphic tee, you can reference Silhouette Schools’ tutorial on how to create your own t-shirt designs with bleach.
Bottoms
Ripped jeans are the go-to. Light jeans work better than dark, but it’s not a necessity. Baggy jeans in general also work well, if you don’t have ripped jeans on hand. If you want a pair of ripped jeans, don’t head to the thrift store just yet. Consider researching how to rip jeans up at home, there are tons of tutorials on how to do so!
For warmer weather, shorts and black tights work well. You can always rip your tights with scissors for an edgier look. Layer it with fishnets for a little extra flair. Consider referencing guides on how to fray your shorts as well. You can swap out the shorts for a skirt (black and plaid work best) for a more feminine look.
Accessories
As stated earlier, traditional grunge isn’t very accessories-centric. A simple black choker goes a long way. If you don’t have one, you can fashion one out of simple black ribbon from your local crafts store. This can work for either a traditional or modern grunge look. Simple, stud earrings can also be a fun addition, if you have them already.
Shoes & Additional Ideas
When it comes to shoes, plain black combat boots work great. Black shoes in general should be a go-to option, and work well with pretty much everything. Speaking of multi-purpose clothing, fishnets are some of the most versatile pieces out there. Sure, they can rip easily, but you don’t have to throw them out just yet! Fishnets can easily be converted into a top, which works wonderfully as a layering piece in grunge outfits.
Simply cut a hole in the crotch area of your tights and cut off the part where your feet would normally be. If you want to make fishnet gloves instead, you can cut off the leg area, and either cut off the feet, or widen the holes to fit your fingers through.
With these tips in mind, we hope that you can upcycle your clothes into the perfect grunge outfit. Let us know if you have any other tips in the comments!
Written by Sara Traynor
Sara uses she/her pronouns. Fashion and writing are her two favorite modes of creative expression, and loves to combine them in SFUSA. In her free time, she does crossword puzzles, reads, and watches SpongeBob.