15 Grunge Outfits Style — What is the Grunge Aesthetic?

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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.

Fact: Adding a plaid flannel to your outfit immediately transforms it into a rocker look. Go for a multi-colored or spliced pattern to achieve maximum grunge vibes.

Layering a band tee over a long-sleeve top is a classic grunge styling move. Use contrasting colors, like shades of pastel and darker grey, to create visual interest. We love that this shirt does the layering for you.

Instantly elevate your 'fit from a regular look to totally alt-rock with edgy silver necklaces, rings, and chains. The chunkier and more layered, the better.

Rips, tears, mesh, and fishnet fabrics are all grunge-approved. This dark grey, green, and brown color scheme is rightttt on the money, turning a comfy pair of sweatpants look like post-apocalyptic ~ fashion ~.

Give your I-don't-feel-like-wearing-real-clothes days an edgy twist with a dark zip-up hoodie — bonus points if it features a the logo of your favorite band or a punk rock saying.

Give the celeb-loved "no pants" trend a grunge upgrade with an oversized hoodie dress featuring your favorite throwback rock band on the front. Throw some biker shorts or tights underneath for a bit more coverage.

The looser, baggier, and comfier a pair of jeans is, the more grunge it will look. Don't worry if your pair is a little too long — the scrunched-up denim will look purposefully grungy.

The best sorts of band tees are worn-in and vintage soft, like this horoscope T-shirt with casual rolled sleeves. Alternatively, raid your parents closets to see if they kept any band tees from their rock 'n roll days.

No grunge wardrobe is complete without a striped shirt designated for layering. This turtleneck will be the base layer for tanks, tees, and crop tops.

A studded belt dripping with waist chains is perfect for holding up your loose, baggy denim. You can also use these to cinch oversized T-shirt dresses or hoodies.

Nobody does grunge like Dr. Martens, the combat boot brand that's been around since 1947. Invest in one pair and they'll last you a lifetime, thanks to their immaculate leather quality and construction.

Edgy fashion can be soft and cozy, and this sweater is proof of that. There's nothing more grunge than a skeleton, so wear your heart (err — bones) on your sleeve proudly.

A cropped version of your favorite band tee will come in handy for pairing with high-waisted jeans and mini skirts. Run your tee through the wash a couple times to soften it if you want to give the fabric that authentic vintage feel.

Turn your favorite preppy tennis skirt into a punk-rock moment by layering a graphic tee on top. Pair with black high-top Converse, matching crew socks, and silver chain necklaces.

Grunge outfits don't have to be all-black if you don't want them to be. You can incorporate shades of dark purple, maroon, red, and grey to add variety to your color palette.

Hannah is the Assistant Fashion & eCommerce Editor at Seventeen and covers all things style, shopping, and money. Seventeen taught her how to get dressed when she was younger, and she now spends her working hours passing down her expertise.

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