October 14, 2011

We just missed being teenagers in the ‘90s. While our generation was decked out in neon stirrup leggings, crazy windbreakers and funky scrunchies, we looked up to the local high schoolers. They were so cool with their flannel and their chain wallets and their skateboards. Now that our neighborhood fashion idols from almost 20 years ago (mine was my babysitter) are all grown up, it’s finally our turn. Flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and combat boots are what immediately come to mind when Millennials think of grunge, but today the trend is all about juxtaposing luxe with low-brow, masculine with feminine, structured with unstructured. This week, MOVE shows you how to re-live the ’90s with four wardrobe essentials and the basic elements to rock the latest trend.

**The elements:**
Twenty years later, the grunge look is less about being authentic and more about making a chic statement. Grunge has been revamped with a dressier feel paired with textures and subtle touches to make it contemporary. The key is a juxtaposition of soft, flowy fabrics and tough elements. A muted, neutral palate of black, grey, navy and burgundy is key to this trend with shocks of color to add a modern statement.

Mixed patterns are nothing new to the fashion world, especially lately, and mixed motifs are key to the grunge trend. Of course, to qualify as authentic grunge, these mixed patterns have to look like they “just happened.” Here, your clothes are supposed to clash. A go-to pattern to start your look is the classic flannel; pile on updated prints such as leopard or paisley for a feminine look that’s right on-trend.

**The Essentials:**
The LGD (little grunge dress)
Forget about the LBD; this fall, it’s all about the LGD (little grunge dress). Slipdresses were the staples of the grunge movement —think Courtney Love. The ‘underwear as outerwear’ look was, and in my opinion has always been, huge. One of my favorite looks is a simple and feminine slipdress with tougher accessories — sexy 90’s minimalism at its finest. Layer with oversized sweaters and coats or, of course, an awesome leather jacket.

**The Plaid Shirt**
Plaid has been all over the runways this season and it’s hard to ignore — basically everything this fall features checks from plaid shirts and coats to simple shift dresses and scarves. Plaid was the ultimate unisex motif from the grunge era and now it’s back with a vengeance. You can’t go wrong with faded, neutral colors on an oversized button-up. You can find them anywhere: grab a classic shirt at the local vintage store for $5 or check out one of the boutiques downtown for brands like BB Dakota and Free People, who have great plaid pieces with a twist. Throw your shirt on over a T-shirt and faded denim jeans over your LGD or layered with jackets and vests. Top your look off with a slouchy hat and twists on classics like a pair of heeled combat boots or creepers.

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