Grunge
aka Seattle Grunge, 90s Grunge
"Apathy as rebellion, thrift as ethos"
Born from Seattle's music scene, grunge embodies anti-fashion rebellion with thrifted flannel, ripped denim, and deliberate dishevelment.
Atmosphere
The sensory world of Grunge
Rainy Seattle streets, dive bars, basement shows, cigarette smoke, coffee shops
Philosophy
Authentic self over polished image, anti-corporate, anti-fashion fashion
Who Lives Here
The character archetypes that embody Grunge
The Slacker
The Musician
The Outsider
What It Rejects
Grunge exists in opposition to:
Designer labels
Preppy culture
Clean cut aesthetics
Trying too hard
Daily Rituals
The practices and behaviors that define this way of living
Thrifting religiously
Layering flannels
Wearing clothes until they fall apart
Show attendance
Origin
Emerged from Seattle's underground music scene in the late 1980s, reached mainstream through Nirvana and Pearl Jam in early 90s.
Era
1987-1997 (Original), Ongoing revivals
Regions
Seattle, Portland, Global
Trend Score
Key Elements
Key Garments
- •Flannel shirts
- •Ripped jeans
- •Combat boots
- •Band tees
- •Oversized cardigans
- •Dr. Martens
- •Plaid
- •Thermal layers
Silhouettes
- •Oversized
- •Layered
- •Disheveled
Color Palette
Muted Pacific Northwest palette of rain and rebellion
Primary Colors
Secondary Colors
Accent Colors
Key Brands
Materials
Cultural Context
Anti-consumerist, working-class roots, music-driven identity, rejection of 80s excess