A new look called Neo Grunge has been emerging for a few years that is considered to be a cleaned up, grown up version of the original grunge music. The look was originally inspired by Nirvana in 1991. The style icons of the time were Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love and Kate Moss.
To get the look you need to wear loose cotton jackets, flower patterned short dresses or skirts, slouchy pants, oversized and cropped sweaters or tank tops, clothing with large prints, clothing with sheer check and chiffon and silk scarves. The look is also characterized by the mixing up of patterns and graphic T-shirts and natural colors and light layering.
One way of perfecting neo-grunge is to pair a flannel shirt with a long sheer skirt and a graphic t-shirt. This would be similar to the neo-grunge look shown on the runway at Dries Van Nolan. This designer also showed floral cotton jackets with sheer pants and pointy chevron patterned stilettos.
Philip Lum’s version of grunge featured a silk motorcycle jacket with a floral pattern paired over a loose black graphic T-shirt (I love New York with a flannel shirt tied over a digital printed skirt. This look was paired with a shiny low-heeled pair of patent leather sandals.
The House of Holland focused on pairing mis-matched oversized checks in the form of long sloppy shirt and maxi skirts. A beige and brown shirt was paired with a purple and pink shirt. A green and red floral shirt was also paired with a pink, blue and orange mini skirt and unbuckled patent leather boots.
A gorgeous look was fabricated by acne that consisted of a grey muscle shirt paired with a long silk skirt in violet that was fashioned at the waist with two plum belts. This was paired with platform grunge look sandals.
Hair and makeup is a bit sloppy in neo-grunge as it was in original grunge. The hair should look a bit greasy but good and it is okay to show colored roots. Round sunglasses and flamingo pink lipstick also complete the look.
One of the main differences between original grunge and neo grunge is that it is more of a polished look. There are fewer rips and tears in the jeans although laddered nylons and tights are still part of the new neo grunge look. Hair can be greasy and unkempt but not as dirty looking as Courtney and Kurt let their hair get. Lipsticks are also lighter and pinker and not of the blood red vampire variety. Nails too tend to be a bit cleaner and not the inky black or blue associated with the original grunge trend.