Fashion, the saying goes, runs in 20-year cycles. By that measure, it is 1994. In 1994, Oasis, Nirvana, and Soundgarden ruled the radio; supermodels Kate Moss and Linda Evangelista ruled the runways, and Pulp Fiction and Forest Gump captivated movie audiences. On and off the runway, grunge was the look to aspire to. And you’re seeing that very same style on the streets and in the stores today.
1. Long, floral dresses. This was a key look during grunge; three-quarter length or floor-sweeping floral print skirts and long dresses that could be dowdy on their own, but when paired with other grunge staples like the black boot became more edgy (as seen on Bridget Fonda in Singles).
2. Big, black ankle boots. Paired with the floral skirts, the boots would signify a punk rock ethos, a rebellious, non-girly-girl nature. Typically, these were Doc Martens, but any chunky, leather ankle boot will do. It’s all about the contradiction. Unless, of course, you’re Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, stomping around in knee-high, laced up leather boots, long shorts, and little else.
3. Plastic barrettes. Adopting accessories from your childhood was a thing in the 90s; particularly, the tiny plastic barrettes you wore as a schoolgirl in kindergarten. Think of grunge style icon Courtney Love—with her bleached blonde, blunt cut hair, pulled to the side with a tiny barrette.
4. Babydoll dresses. Again, Courtney Love serves as your patron saint of grunge. Instead of long and flowy, pick a teeny, tiny, almost go-go girl short, babydoll dress. They usually have an empire waist, so they are loose, not snug. Extra grunge bonus points for a floral print.
MORE TRENDS TO LOVE: Easy Ways to Transition Your Summer Wardrobe Into Fall >>
5. Plaid shirts. No grunge look would be complete without a plaid flannel shirt tied around your waist with a non-corporate rock band t-shirt. (Which, of course, you’re wearing with your long floral skirt, your big black boots, with a tiny barrette festooned in your dyed Manic Panic hair.)
So go ahead, party like it’s 1994 and let your inner grunge-girl rock out!
