History of grunge style
The grunge style originally appeared as a direction in music. In the 80s, the groups Nirvana and Soundgarden became popular in the United States, whose songs and behavior were rebellious and daring. The fans liked this behavior of the idols, and they adopted their habits, clothes and philosophy - rebellion, denial, protest. Gradually, American youth also liked the disheveled appearance and cheeky behavior.
For a long time, designers were indifferent to non-standard, for some, even aggressive and defiant style of clothing. Marc Jacobs alone watched the development of the grunge style for several years - he visited places where young people gathered, and watched vagabonds on the streets.
It was Jacobs who pioneered grunge for high fashion. He released his first rebellious collection in 1993 and immediately faced a wave of misunderstanding. Fashion connoisseurs did not immediately understand that “orphan girls” in flowered sundresses and rough boots are stylish and bold. The collection also includes trench coats, shirts, and sweaters.
Mark listened to a lot of derogatory comments, for example, critics made jokes about the origin of the clothes, citing the fact that the appearance of all items of the catwalk wardrobe resembled a second-hand assortment. In 2021, the designer announced the re-release of the collection - he recreated all 26 models of the first grunge collection.
History of the formation of the direction
Grunge style is one of the most popular modern alternative styles. The word “grunge” translated from English slang means “dirt”.
This term began to denote everything unpleasant, unkempt, and repulsive. The grunge style began to appear in music and clothing in the late 1980s. The birthplace of the movement was the American city of Seattle, which gave the world such musical groups as Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jeam, Nirvana.
Kurt Cobain, legendary lead singer of Nirvana
Grunge shows the influence of hippie subcultures (disregard for public opinion, indifference in the selection of clothes, ethnic motifs) and punk (washed out clothes, torn jeans, long unkempt hair, rough shoes).
The style flourished in the 80-90s, at the height of global crises. Grunge, which existed at that time as a youth movement, boiled down to a complete denial of social foundations; it rejected chic, glamor and classic fashion trends of past years. This direction is characterized by a complete rejection of theatrical pathos and the cult of things.
At the dawn of grunge, clothing in this style resembled a tramp costume.
These were frayed sweaters, stretched T-shirts, frayed, holey jeans, worn, torn dresses. The lion's share of things were bought second-hand and altered if necessary.
Grunge personified the superiority of the spiritual over the material. The appearance of the followers of this trend was careless and defiant; things were often put on one another. Admirers of grunge believed that clothing should not be taken too seriously, that it was simply a fabric that protected from cold and wind.
This outfit was often complemented by long, tousled hair (for both men and women).
Grunge entered the world of high fashion in 1993 with the light hand of Marc Jacobs, who released a scandalous collection of fashionable clothes in a “youth” style. The latter caused a lot of controversy. The direction was completely rejected by critics, but was liked by the general public. Nowadays, many fashion designers create clothes with elements of this style.
However, for the general consumer, grunge has remained a second-hand style.
As for architecture, the grunge style began to develop here a hundred years earlier. Grunge as an architectural movement originated in France in the mid-19th century. Its founders were the capital's French aristocrats. Trying to escape the bustle and excessive pathos of the capital, they set up small country estates. The latter looked more like country cottages. They were furnished without much chic, practical and simple. After 50 years, the traditional style of decorating the family estates of the French elite began to seep into other countries, and subsequently received the name grunge.
5 principles of grunge
- Multi-layering. In this, grunge is similar to boho, where complexity of images and an abundance of layers in clothing are also welcomed;
- Non-standard combination of things, textures, styles. For example, a light cotton shirt and rough boots, or a chintz dress and a knitted cardigan;
- Convenience. This is one of the basic principles - it doesn’t matter whether things fit together according to the public, the main thing is that they are comfortable;
- Sloppiness. In grunge style, clothes are deliberately sloppy, sometimes even deliberately aged. Particularly ardent adherents can be untidy - in washed T-shirts, for example, but more often external untidiness is combined with cleanliness and freshness of clothes;
- Dark colors . The basis of a grunge wardrobe is clothes in muted, dark shades that are opposed to glamor. Over time, fashion designers are increasingly releasing more positive colors, but adherents of the style manage to make even white dresses or T-shirts gloomy by layering dark sweaters, jackets, and vests.
Grunge is preferred by young girls and boys under the age of 30-35, but with the right combination of different items of clothing, it looks great on older people.
Who is this style suitable for?
The modern world of fashion has no right to dictate a given style to a certain group of people. The current world of fashion does not limit anyone, so a correctly chosen image will look harmonious, impressive, and stunning on both young people and older people.
It is important to assemble an original and precisely calibrated set that will create a sensation.
Grunge substyles
Neo-grunge
The neo-grunge substyle allows for the use of lighter, more delicate colors and fabrics, which is especially popular with young girls. They combine light dresses, tunics and blouses with rough elements and emphasize casualness. All neo-grunge images are original, creative, creative.
Punk grunge
One of the most striking varieties is openly rebellious images made up of leather items, spikes, and rough boots. Large jewelry and non-standard accessories are also used.
Rock grunge
Rock grunge is similar to punk, but it uses high-quality materials to create a wardrobe. Brands are often famous, with a high price tag. Characteristic features: chains, leather, dark colors.
Hippie grunge
A non-standard combination of hippie style and classic, rebellious grunge. In this style, bright colors are used more often than in others; elements typical of hippies are often found - ethical patterns, wicker sandals, headbands. As a result, the images are light, but no less sloppy and a protest to society.
Soft grunge
The only type of grunge that allows for grace, lightness and sophistication. Soft grunge is light dresses, tops, skirts, neat shoes without the typical roughness, complemented by elements of classic grunge - for example, plaid shirts or ripped jeans.
Loft grunge
A calm substyle that reveals a person’s personality. Unlike other substyles, loft grunge does not pursue the goal of standing out, making a statement, or showing off its rebellious spirit. The materials in clothing are usually natural - cotton, leather, linen, and the silhouettes are free, not restricting movement.
Features of the grunge style for women, its directions
The features of the grunge fashion trend in images are quite recognizable; it is difficult to confuse it with any other style. Here are the main ones:
- muted tones - mostly natural, dark colors, bright prints and flashy shades are absent;
- the effect of aging - the worn appearance of clothing can be “natural” or achieved artificially;
- non-standard combinations - denying any trends, a true grunge artist has no idea about the rules of combination, and therefore his image can demonstrate an absolutely unimaginable mixture of fabrics and textures;
- layering - the more items you wear, the better;
- the effect of clothes “from someone else’s shoulder” - the atmosphere of the image is given by things of the wrong size, looking as if the person was wearing them for someone else.
@vogue.com
And of course, the main thing is that the clothes are comfortable.
Over time, grunge acquires new features, and its subtypes are formed. They correspond to the general concept, but differ in details. For example, images in the soft and neo trends look softer and more feminine. The first style allows for the presence of bright colors and vintage elements in clothes, while neo has nothing against romantic and glamorous things, such as chiffon or pleated skirts.
@Today Dresses
Other genres of grunge - punk and rock - are difficult to distinguish from each other. The images in them are devoid of gloss and chic. The hippie trend is practically no different from them, but still there are romantic notes in it.
Basic wardrobe in grunge style
Every year the grunge style undergoes changes - new wardrobe elements, textures, and combinations appear. But a classic wardrobe almost always includes:
- ripped loose jeans;
- stretched T-shirts and sweaters. Prints and colors are very different - from plain to colored, as if washed, faded, torn. Sweatshirts, T-shirts and tops with the names of popular rock bands are popular;
- shorts and pants with torn, raw edges. Short denim shorts are popular and go well with rough boots and fishnet tights or with specially made creases;
- oversized flannel plaid shirts;
- leather jackets of a rough, brutal style;
- a light sundress, a skirt or a loose-fitting dress - for a date or a romantic trip;
- straight, plain, loose tunic.
Shoes and accessories
- A must have for any grunge style wardrobe is rough boots, combat boots, and camelots. They can be classic, with spikes, chains, stripes. Shoes with tractor soles are also suitable;
- sneakers. Classic sneakers from Converse or styled after them are a frequent guest of the basic wardrobe. They go well with dresses, jeans, and shorts;
- A large backpack made of leather or suede is suitable as a bag. A shapeless bag with a pronounced texture or a tote bag will complement the look.
- headwear - hats, baseball caps, bandanas, dark, calm colors - blue, burgundy, black, gray.
As for additional accents - pendants, bracelets, watches, grunge does not limit the choice. The main thing is that all this reflects the negligence and rebellious spirit of the style.
Grunge in the interior
Grunge is one of the most popular interior styles today. It attracts interest with its unusualness and accessibility. Modernity and antiquity peacefully coexist in it, combined with a certain negligence.
The grunge style in the interior is comfort and ease. Everything about it is simple and concise. Calm colors, smooth lines, practical furniture, soft warm lighting, finishing made from natural materials. All this can be located in a room with brick walls, protruding ceiling beams, and large windows.
Makeup and hairstyle
Grunge makeup is daring, eye-catching and goes against public opinion.
The most common option is smokey in dark shades with a wet effect. At the same time as the emphasis is placed on the eyes, there is an obvious rough contouring of the face.
For everyday use, no makeup is applied at all, or alternative smoki is done with gray, brown, pinkish shades. You can also simply line your lower eyelid thickly with a black pencil - you’ll get grunge makeup without any extra effort.
Hairstyle – the messier the better. Looking at your hair, you get the feeling that you just got out of bed. Loose, disheveled hair, careless braids, ponytails, and buns are suitable.
How not to turn a grunge image into a beggarly one?
The thin line between sloppy chic and beggarly rags is the only drawback of the liberated direction. To prevent superficial promiscuity from playing a cruel joke on a fashionista, you should pay attention to the details and little things in the image. The easiest way to achieve what you want is to use clothes only from well-known and expensive brands. There can be no misfire here. The experience and sense of style of fashion masters will provide the desired effect from the appearance of any representative of the trend. It is better to choose accessories from the author's collections. It's better if they are piecemeal. Original design is what will make any image unique.
Shoes must be made of high-quality, expensive materials. The fittings are made from reliable components and do not fall off at the most inopportune moment. If you plan to use an image with the effect of dirty hair, then this does not mean unwashed hair for a week. Such hairstyles are created with the help of styling and the skillful hands of a hairdresser.
An extravagant wardrobe can belong to a lady of any age. Rebellious spirit is characteristic of youth, but this is not an unconditional rule. And the grunge style confirms this fact. A well-chosen image will transform the fair sex at any age. He will help her feel complete freedom from flares and obligations to society. It is at this moment that you can feel the true taste of life.
Grunge for men
Grunge for men retains the same principles of layering and negligence. The typical wardrobe of a man who dresses in grunge style consists of:
- plaid shirt;
- leather biker jacket;
- torn jeans, sometimes originally purchased whole;
- oversized sweaters;
- time-worn sneakers or rough boots;
- a faded, stretched or holey T-shirt;
- hats or baseball caps.
All clothing items are in soft colors, calm, without unnecessary expressiveness or gloss. To add accents, you can use pendants, chains, baubles and bracelets.
Grunge style in clothing: from origins to ideology
On the eve of the 90s. male and female grunge was especially evident in clothing. It would be trivial for him to just troll and make fun of glamor. Here a dose of ideology, the primacy of the spiritual over the material, became needed. Slogans like sex, drugs & rock'n'roll have become nothing more than quotes from songs. The world has stepped over prohibitions that have become boring and useless. Humanity has turned towards a healthy lifestyle, self-development, yoga, travel, but has allowed itself to retain a share of “fooling around” and cool clothes in the wardrobes.
Leather skirts, stockings and grunge tops look nice in one look
Chains, rivets, metal fittings are required in the grunge look
We survived the generation of rebels, hippies and the style of hedonists of the 60s and 70s, the alienated resistance of emo, but in clothing we cannot part with their unusual techniques, elements and finds. Carelessness and indifference are the alpha and omega of grunge style.
