So, what defines the male grunge aesthetic outfits? In this article, I’m going to break down this bold and daring fashion style and show you how to achieve the grunge aesthetic for guys.
What is the grunge aesthetic for men?
The grunge aesthetic for men is characterized by tattered or ripped clothing, such as jeans, flannel shirts, and music T-shirts, as well as combat boots, gumboots, and creepers.
The grunge fashion style is a complete absence of intention that gives a cool, effortless vibe and is often described as “untidy” and is meant to de-emphasize the silhouette of the body.
To put it simply, grunge style didn’t reject fashion, it ignored it. The grunge color palette for men is typically dark and earthy, featuring shades of black, gray, brown, and green.
The different types of grunge fashion for men
Contrary to popular belief, the grunge aesthetic is not all flannels and Doc Martens. There are different types of grunge fashion for men. Let’s talk about each one.
1. Classic grunge (vintage)
Classic grunge is the original grunge aesthetic that everybody knows.
This style is characterized by a mix of old-fashioned and grunge features such as vintage flannel shirts, oversized sweaters, denim jackets, ripped jeans, and combat boots.
The colors are often muted, like browns, grays, and blacks.
Men can sport messy long hair for the classic vintage grunge aesthetic, as it celebrates nostalgia and individuality, which is a style that is both comfortable and edgy.
2. Soft grunge
The “soft grunge” aesthetic emerged on Tumblr in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
It’s a fashion trend that combines the edgier, rougher side of grunge fashion with softer, more romantic, and feminine elements, such as pastel colors, floral patterns, and lace.
Soft grunge is often associated with the mid-2010s Tumblr era and is characterized by oversized flannel shirts ripped denim, and combat boots, as well as elements of emo style.
3. Punk grunge
This style is characterized by bold and edgy features such as studded leather jackets and combat boots, piercings, tattoos, chunky jewelry, dark makeup, big hair, and distressed clothing.
It often includes vintage pieces and grunge staples such as plaid shirts, graphic t-shirts, ripped jeans, and fishnet stockings. Think darker colors, dangling chains, and bold accessories.
Similar to the edgy aesthetic, the punk grunge aesthetic is raw, intense, and edgy to the core, which is a fashion style that is often associated with rebellion and nonconformity.
4. Hippie grunge
Another fusion of two retro styles, the “hippie grunge” aesthetic is a style that blends elements of hippie fashion from the 1960s and 70s with 90s grunge fashion.
This style is characterized by a mix of bohemian and grunge features such as carefree flowy outfits, floral motifs, flannel shirts, denim jackets, and comfortable footwear.
The hippie grunge aesthetic celebrates individuality and is a relaxed and effortless style that goes against the norm, featuring darker colors, like browns or dark blues.
5. Comfy grunge
The “comfy grunge” aesthetic is a fashion style that is all about being comfortable in a variety of ways, and it can be combined with many other different fashion styles.
This style is characterized by loose clothing, such as oversized t-shirts and loose jeans, as well as multiple layers of clothing, all of which are prevalent in Y2K fashion.
Canvas sneakers are also a popular choice for footwear. The overall vibe is vintage and relaxed, inspired by musicians like Kurt Cobain.
6. Street grunge
The “street grunge” aesthetic is a combination of grunge and streetwear. This style is characterized by baggy clothing, such as oversized hoodies, graphic t-shirts, and ripped jeans.
The color palette is subdued and features earth tones like moss green and sand, as well as muted or washed-out colors. Think of faded rock band graphic tee shirts.
Footwear often includes eye-catching sneakers or combat boots. Overall, the “street grunge” aesthetic is edgy and effortlessly cool, inspired by the grunge music scene of the 90s.
7. Dark grunge
The “dark grunge” aesthetic is a subcategory of the grunge aesthetic that emphasizes darker colors, such as black, dark gray, and deep red, as well as distressed and ripped clothing.
This particular fashion style for men is often associated with a punk-rock attitude and features elements such as leather jackets, combat boots, and studded accessories.
The overall vibe for this style is usually dark and bold, with heavy details, bold outfits, and dark colors. Overall, the “dark grunge” aesthetic is characterized by a rebellious and edgy look.
