Are you planning on adopting the grunge style in fashion? Do you want to dress in men’s 90’s grunge but don’t know how to start? We’ll tell you how.
Grunge is as much about the hair as the clothes. So each outfit below comes with the hairstyle in the photo, the other cuts that work with it, and how to style your hair to match.
Three Rules for Grunge Hair
Grown out, not neglected. Grunge hair is a cut that has been left to grow a few weeks past neat. It still gets washed and trimmed, it just does not get styled much.
Texture over shine. Matte paste, sea-salt spray, or nothing at all. Gel and shine products belong to a different decade.
Let it fall. Curtains, a center part, hair under a beanie, or a loose tie-back. Anything that looks like you pushed it out of your face with your hand.
Elements of 90’s Men’s Grunge Fashion
The main components of grunge fashion used to be loose clothing, white (or plain) shirts, combat boots, flannels, and beanies. Today a large number of clothing items are used too, and many different types of grunge fashion exist. They can be achieved through clashes and contrasts of shapes, designs, and color.
In this way, grunge is agreeable, yet a disruptor. These outfits do not attract attention, but they stand out among the crowd. In this post, we’ll tell you the best way to dress grunge.
1. Fedora with Skinny Jeans
From the black combat boots and tight skinny jeans, to the tank top, scruffy beard and classy fedora, this look screams grunge. This look says you just rolled out of bed… in a hot way.
The hair in the photo: Short dark hair tucked under a fedora, with a full beard doing the work.
Also works with: A grown-out crop, or shoulder-length hair tucked behind the ears under the hat.
How to style your hair for it: Keep the hair flat under the hat and trim the beard at the cheeks only. Grunge beards are full, not shaped.
2. 80s Jacket and Jeans
The classy color-block style of this 80s windbreaker paired with some light blue jeans is the perfect match for a long blonde surfer haircut.
The hair in the photo: A grown-out blonde cut swept to one side with a soft wave.
Also works with: Shoulder-length surfer hair, or a textured crop with length on top.
How to style your hair for it: Rake it to one side with your fingers and a little sea-salt spray. No comb.
3. Flannel Shirt Over a Band Tee
The outfit grunge is known for: a faded band tee, an open flannel shirt over it, worn jeans and boots. Nothing is new and nothing matches.
The hair: Grown-out layers to the chin or the shoulders, worn down and parted in the middle.
Also works with: A buzz cut, or curls worn loose.
How to style your hair for it: Wash it, let it dry on its own, and push it out of your face with your hand. A beanie on top when it is cold.
4. Scarf and Patterned Hat
Scarves aren’t just for women! Rock a black printed scarf with a black jacket and pair it with a patterned fedora to top off your medium length hair.
The hair in the photo: Chin-length blonde waves left loose under a patterned hat.
Also works with: A shaggy medium cut, or long hair worn down.
How to style your hair for it: Let the waves show at the sides and the back. Push the hat back a little so the front shows too.
5. The Layered All-Dark Look
This outfit is a simple, yet a layered style that stands out in the crowd. It looks intimidating with its dark tones, but there’s a level of effortlessness that attracts the eye.
How to Wear: The outfit is a simple overcoat thrown over a black tee and black denim. It also features a cowl over the beanie, which makes it intriguing. Every piece of clothing is dark. The boots are fashionably worn down by wear.
The hair in the photo: Hair hidden under a beanie, with a short beard framing the face.
Also works with: Anything. A buzz cut, a crop, or long hair tucked up into the beanie.
How to style your hair for it: The beanie is the hairstyle here. Keep the beard neat and let a little hair show at the hairline if it is long.
6. The Modern but Fancy Look
This grunge fashion outfit for men is a loud and obvious statement. It brings with it both grunge and industrial styles. The plain clothing contrasts with patterns and designs. But the boldness is toned down suitably by the dark colors.
How to wear: A jacket worn on a plain collared t-shirt, over black trousers, and features a men’s skirt. This one is patterned, which gives a nice contrast to the eye. The snapback and thick combat boots add to the grunge look.
The hair in the photo: Short dark hair under a snapback cap.
Also works with: A fade with a textured top, or a buzz cut.
How to style your hair for it: Nothing to style under the cap. A fade at the sides keeps the look sharp where it shows.
7. The Semi-Formal Style
This outfit looks smart with casually tousled hair, but once you dissect it, it’s a lot plainer than it seems.
How to wear: Add a pair of jeans to a neat thrifted jacket, shirt, and scarf. The jeans tone down the formality of the look.
The hair in the photo: A short, tousled cut with a little length on top and a trimmed beard.
Also works with: A textured crop, or a side-swept short cut.
How to style your hair for it: Work a pea of matte paste through dry hair and push it up and back. It should look done in ten seconds.
8. The Hoodie and Shades
Hoodies with designs are everyday attire that make a grunge statement while remaining subtle.
How to wear: Wear an oversized hoodie with a design and pants with stripes. Accessorize with sunglasses even on cloudy days.
The hair in the photo: A dark textured top with short sides, pushed up and forward.
Also works with: A fade with a messy top, or a buzz cut.
How to style your hair for it: Blow-dry the top forward and up, then rough it with paste. Keep the sides tight.
9. The Badges
Badges help you get across aspects of your identity. There’s no better way to show off your personality and your long curls.
How to wear: Wear dark pants, a light t-shirt, and a denim jacket. Add dozens of badges that represent what you stand for.
The hair in the photo: Full curls with bleached blonde ends over dark roots, worn loose.
Also works with: Natural curls at any length, or a curly top with faded sides.
How to style your hair for it: Scrunch with curl cream and let it dry on its own. The bleached ends are the grunge part, so keep the roots dark.
10. The All in Black
If you want to stand out in the crowd by being monochrome, then this 90s curtain hairstyle and the outfit are for you.
How to wear: Make sure your outfit is all the same color. A t-shirt, dark pants, and a smart jacket make a bold statement.
The hair in the photo: Dark 90s curtains: a center part with the front falling to either side.
Also works with: Longer curtains cut to the cheekbones, or a grown-out side part.
How to style your hair for it: Blow-dry the front forward and split it down the middle with your fingers. A little paste on the ends keeps the pieces separate.
11. The Tattoo Show-Off
Tattoos still raise some eyebrows, so showing them off is a great way to rebel in the grunge style.
How to wear: Go super plain with black jeans and a T-shirt. Wear short sleeves to emphasize your tats.
The hair in the photo: Long hair tied up in a top knot, with a full beard.
Also works with: A man bun, or long hair worn down.
How to style your hair for it: Tie the hair high and loose and leave the sides a little messy. The beard stays full.
12. The Casual Home Look
This is a simple yet fashionable look. It’s no less homely than comfortable home wear but looks novel on the streets.
How to wear: This grunge style in fashion for men is best with thin, loose sweaters over a plain white shirt. Pair it with a different color on half-trousers, and plain socks in sandals for more casual dressing.
The hair in the photo: Long, straight blonde hair with a center part, worn down past the shoulders.
Also works with: Shoulder-length hair tucked behind the ears, or long hair tied low.
How to style your hair for it: Wash it, let it dry on its own, and part it in the middle. Nothing else.
13. The Messy Painted Outfit
This messy, paint-splattered outfit is very close to what you would call 90s men’s grunge fashion. It’s simple and perfect for those who don’t mind the side eye, especially because you dig the comfortable clothing.
How to wear: This look can be created by wearing a pristine white shirt over battered jeans. It’s a plus if the jeans look like they’ve been splattered with paint and mud. Rips at the knees look great too. A beanie and a pair of beat-down Converse shoes will complete the look.
The hair in the photo: Hair tucked under a slouchy beanie.
Also works with: A buzz cut, a crop, or long hair pushed up into the beanie.
How to style your hair for it: Push long hair up into the beanie and let a few pieces fall at the front.
14. The Casual But Party Wear Look
This is a great and easily achievable grunge fashion for men. The dark colors and close fit leave a distinct impression upon an observer in the crowd.
How to wear: This outfit can be recreated using a graphic tee, a biker jacket, ripped denim jeans, and a hoodie along with simple sneakers. A black beanie will emphasize the grunge feel of the entire outfit. Using a set of lighter and well-coordinated tones will also leave a good impression.
The hair in the photo: Hair under a beanie, with a few light pieces showing at the front.
Also works with: A grown-out crop, or chin-length hair.
How to style your hair for it: Pull the front pieces out from under the beanie and leave them loose.
15. The Simple yet Drool-Worthy Look
This is a bold, summery men’s grunge style in fashion. It is more comfortable in warm climates, but it can be used on colder days by the men not afraid to show some skin.
How to wear: This look can be recreated by wearing simple denim shorts in complementary colors. Wearing an unbuttoned plaid in a contrasting color will emphasize the boldness of the outfit. It’s simple and thrown together but very cohesive.
The hair in the photo: Short dark hair under a wide-brim hat.
Also works with: A fade, or shoulder-length hair tucked behind the ears.
How to style your hair for it: The hat does the work. Keep the sides short and the top flat under the crown.
16. The Casual Wintery Look
This is a simple outfit that leans toward the original, 90’s men’s grunge fashion.
How to wear: This outfit can be thrown together with anything you have. A leather jacket thrown over a white shirt is the basic grunge look. Add to that another grunge classic, the baggy jeans, and a brightly colored plaid tied around the waist.
The hair in the photo: A short natural cut with a trimmed beard.
Also works with: A tapered cut, a buzz cut, or short twists.
How to style your hair for it: Keep the cut close and the lineup clean. The beard carries the grunge.
17. The Sophisticated One
This is an outfit that may seem pretty common but is a fantastic way to catch eyes without being too obvious about it. It’s simple and can be easily recreated. To add spark, try a short undercut hairstyle to complete this retro look.
How to wear: Throw a leather jacket over a pristine white shirt and a pair of black denim. The tight fit is simple but balances the loose jacket very well. Wear them over a pair of Converse for the best grunge fashion that guys can pull off.
The hair in the photo: A dark undercut with the top swept back.
Also works with: A slicked-back undercut, or a short textured crop.
How to style your hair for it: Blow-dry the top back with a little matte paste. Keep the sides short so the top stands out.
18. Comfortable Wintery yet Funky
This look is great for winter settings and extremely comfortable. The buzz cut makes it more exotic.
How to wear: Use an oversized sweater in stripes and loose denim jeans in a similar shade. Pick jeans that are washed out and roll them high on top of ankle-high boots. This makes the jeans seem baggier than they are, the classic grunge style in fashion.
The hair in the photo: A short blonde buzz cut.
Also works with: A crew cut, or a close crop with a slightly longer top.
How to style your hair for it: A number two or three all over, trimmed every three or four weeks. Nothing to style.
19. The Trend Setter
This is a daring outfit. It’s best with dark clothes and tight fit jeans and can be paired with simple accessories that you would always need on you.
How to wear: Pick a deep neck vest or tee, and pair it with a loose cardigan or jacket. Wear a pair of skinny or tight fit jeans over a pair of Doc Martens or any battered pair of boots. Top it off with a crisp hat.
The hair in the photo: Short dark hair under a hat, with a trimmed beard.
Also works with: A fade, or a crop with a textured top.
How to style your hair for it: Keep the sides short so the hat sits clean, and let the beard do the rest.
The grunge style in men’s fashion is based on being simplistic, mundane, yet completely you. To be true to grunge, all you need to do is find something comfortable and classic that also represents your style. Stay confident!
