Grunge is a genre of alternative rock music originated in the late 1980s in Seattle, Washington that became a cultural phenomenon during the early 1990s. The grunge movement was known for its aesthetic of disheveled thrift-store clothes, messy haircuts, and anti-mainstream attitude that rejected the glossy styles of pop culture from the late 1980s.
Popularity of Grunge
Grunge quickly gained popularity throughout the 1990s, with the emergence of bands such as Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. Grunge music became a major part of the pop culture scene, with grunge-influenced fashion trends highlighting a resurgence of 90s nostalgia.
Grunge’s Influence on Fashion
The success of grunge music led to several fashion trends that are still influential today. Grunge influenced fashion in three distinct ways: by introducing plaid, embracing distressed shapes and silhouettes, and giving a platform to gender-neutral fashion.
Plaid
Grunge style popularized the plaid print, with popular bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam wearing distinctive plaid shirts. The plaid trend can easily be seen today and is often used as a grunge style statement.
Distressed Shapes and Silhouettes
Grunge also popularized an edgier, more rugged look with distressed shapes and silhouettes. Denim, specifically in the form of torn jeans and jackets, became an essential piece of the grunge movement.
Gender-neutral Fashion
Grunge was also an important moment for gender-neutral fashion, with iconic looks such as Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s floral dresses and babydoll dresses popularizing androgynous styles. Grunge allowed individuals to express their own style, often with a combination of both masculine and feminine silhouettes.
Grunge’s Impact on Today’s Fashion
Though grunge originated as a distinct subculture in the early 1990s, it has had a lasting impact on the fashion industry.
Embodied in Contemporary Brands
Grunge styles have been taken up in a variety of contemporary brands, such as Slip, Kith, Vetements and Supreme. Slip takes cues from the grunge style by awarding a platform for streetwear-inspired clothing to the current youth culture, in addition to offering clothes in popular plaid and denim styles.
Fashion Weeks
Grunge fashion still has an important presence at Fashion Week. For example, Alexander McQueen’s Fall/Winter 2018 collection commanded a grunge aesthetic with distressed prints and rugged silhouettes. Similarly, Burberry featured many elements of the grunge movement in its Fall/Winter 2019 collection, with distressed denim and floral patterns.
Interpretations of Grunge
In addition to the classic thrift-style look, grunge fashion has also been interpreted in many other styles and forms. For example, Givenchy’s Spring 2018 collection showcased a modern reinterpretation of the grunge look with distressed denim and feminine floral prints. Similarly, designer brands like Gucci, MSGM, and Chanel feature modern interpretations of the classic grunge style.
Grunge was an influential moment for fashion, popularizing edgier looks and making way for modern interpretations of the grunge aesthetic. The grunge era helped to create a powerful platform for alternative cultures and championed androgynous fashion. The influence of grunge still exists today, from designer brands to streetwear collections, showcasing a range of interpretations of the classic grunge aesthetic.
