GRUNGE, TRULY. Kurt and Courtney edition.
grunge/noun
1. Grime/dirt 2. a style of rock music characterized by raucous guitar sound and lazy vocal delivery.
The word grunge appears on a 1957 as an "American English teen slang" to refer to sloppy, dirty, or untidiness. (1)
Grunge music is full of heavy guitar riffs, distortion, and toned down melodies, as well as laid back vocals and oftentimes scream singing, raspy and a distorted vocal tone. Grunge is often associated with lyrics involving anger and drug use.
Grunge was most prevalent in the 1990s, some signature grunge bands are Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Hole, Babes in Toyland, L7, Silverchair, The Smashing Pumpkins and many more.
Now a days with the popularity of “soft grunge” on social media such as Tumblr and Instagram, the true meaning of grunge has lost it’s appeal to many teens. With “grunge” truly meaning dirty, messy, “thrown together” and being seen as unambitious… soft grunge brings a muted, cute, put together look, usually with pastel colors and fishnet tights.
Along with the grunge style of music, came the grunge fashion. This fashion sense was very popular in the mid 90s.
Here are a few key pieces that show the true grunge style of the 90s. This article will mostly feature Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, though I will do more featuring other grunge bands and their influence on fashion in the 90s.
SARCASM AND IRONY
Sarcasm and a cynical attitude to clothing was very popular in the grunge era. Irony was very important and had a humorous side, while making a point.
Such as Kurt Cobain wearing this shirt to a magazine photoshoot.
or this T shirt also worn by Kurt in the height of his music career.
Courtney Love showing “Family Values,” written on herself, as the whole world sees her as a useless “junkie” parent.
A recent controversy over a note found, referring to Courtney as a “bitch with zits” and accusing her of “doping and whoring” she states “Obviously I wrote it – don’t you guys understand sarcasm?”
In the midst of Frances Bean Cobain being taken from Courtney and Kurt’s possession due to accusations of drug use, Hole releases the song “Plump”
He shakes his death rattle. Spittle on his bib. I don’t do the dishes. I throw them in the crib.
PAJAMAS
The grunge look is very much a “I woke up like this” look, wearing pajamas in public was a great fit for this fashion sense.
Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love being married in their pajamas.
Courtney Love wearing nightgowns, vintage slips, or “$20 dresses”
WRINKLED CLOTHES
Don’t iron.
Ripped Clothes
CONVERSE
SUNGLASSES
MESSY HAIR / MAKEUP
So if your grunge look is put together and well groomed, then how grungy is it?
Grunge teaches us it’s okay to be angry, and we don’t have to try to fit in or be something we’re not.
And whatever you wear today, make a statement.
written by Bonnie Trent
