Grunge Look
Fall Winter 2010 - 2011

Fashion seems to be on a consistent 20-year cycle. That is, each season the styles from approximately two decades prior can be seen interpreted on the runways for modern fashion lovers. So now in 2010, it's right on time for fashion from the 1990's to be coming back to the forefront of style consciousness.

There are a wide of variety of things that characterize the '90s, but one that stands out among the rest is Grunge. Twenty years ago the grunge fashion movement was fueled by a music genre of the same name, whose pinnacle icon was the moody rock star Kurt Cobain. Along with his band Nirvana, Cobain had an entire generation dressing in ripped jeans, dingy t-shirts, and nubby flannels.

Today, grunge has crept back into style, but the modern version has a more polished, "I've had a bath recently" appeal. Contemporary men are fusing the so-called metrosexuality of the '00s with the laid back casuals of the '90s. Stars like actor and musician Jared Leto epitomize this new age grunge.

So how do you get the grunge look?

Let's start from the top: The beanie is great for the cool temperatures of fall and winter, but wearing this style of hat isn't always about keep warm. To wear it grunge-style choose black or another dark neutral. It should fit kind of loose so that you can push it back to sit behind the crown of your head. This look was seen on the Fall/Winter 2010-11 designer runways. From left to right: Marni, Kris Van Assche, John Varvatos.

Next, the quintessential grunge element - the plaid shirt. Although in the '90s it was almost always a flannel shirt, the modern take allows for lighter weights, like cotton and linen. No matter what the material, however, you should definitely try tying it around your waist. This move can take almost any outfit from plain the grungy in a couple seconds flat!

Tying shirts around your waist is so much associated with grunge style, that the shirt needn't even be plaid. Giuliano Fujiwara and Galliano do a classic take on the waist shirt, while Jean Paul Gaultier makes it extra clean and modern with a solid color tee.

As a general rule, nothing in grunge style should look brand new (even if it is) or freshly pressed. Ripped and otherwise distressed jeans fit into the style perfectly. The good news is that you can achieve this very affordably, by going at a pair of your old jeans with some scissors and a scrub brush. Another alternative is to visit your local thrift store. But if you’d like a high-end label and are willing to spend the cash, there are plenty of options from the designer runways. From left to right: DSquared2, D&G, William Rast.

Finally, your footwear is a big part of your overall grunge look. In the spring and summer seasons some well-worn Chuck Taylors or Vans will do the trick, but in the cold months you may want something to provide you with a bit more protection from the elements. Your solution: combat boots. Visit an army surplus store to see if you can find these at affordable prices. Otherwise, pick up a designer pair, as seen on the runways of (L to R) Ann Demeulemeester, Neil Barrett, and Dolce & Gabbana.