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15 Effortlessly Cool Grunge Outfits That’ll ‘90s Kids Would Totally Approve Of
Alexa, play “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana. 🤘
Did you know that there's a sneaky connection between that '90s rock band your dad loves and your favorite e-girl Twitch streamer? That's right — the e-girl/e-boy aesthetic that's super popular with anime fans, gamers, and TikTokers actually has roots in the grunge subculture. The black fishnets, silver chain necklaces, ripped jeans, and smiley-face Nirvana tees have been popular since the 1980s when heavy metal fans jammed out at rock concerts sans iPhone. Those edgy concert outfits from the grunge music subculture stuck around for decades, eventually evolving into the aesthetic that we know and love in 2023.
The grunge style starter pack includes soft AF band tees, baggy jeans, silver jewelry, combat boots, studded belts, and oversized zip-up hoodies in shades of black and grey. You can also take inspo from grunge subcategories that have developed over the past decade. There's soft grunge, which incorporates the femininity of the coquette aesthetic as well as the vibe of the mid-2010s Tumblr era when The 1975 and the Arctic Monkeys reigned, and fairy grunge, an edgy yet flirty version of the aesthetic. There's even indie grunge, which is perfect for attending a summer music festival — swap out your baggy grunge jeans for denim shorts to pair with your band tee.
If you don't know where to start when it comes to styling grunge looks, one of the easiest ways to get that OMW-to-a-rock-concert look is to focus on layering. Take your band tee and layer it over a turtleneck, under a flannel shirt, and tucked into a pair of mom jeans. Or, layer a tank top over your band tee and tie said flannel around your waist. To accessorize, you'll want to stock your grunge closet with studded silver jewelry and anything that has a punk-rock twist to it — think skeletons, bleeding hearts, crosses, locks, and skulls.
TL;DR: Incorporating edgy motifs and accessories into your wardrobe will help you nail the grunge fashion look. Below, find our favorite outfits to help you achieve the grunge aesthetic and style.
Hannah is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from cute apartment decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and unhinged updates on the books she’s reading on the train.
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