2014 TUMBLR GRUNGE MAKES A COMEBACK

Referred to as 2014 Tumblr Grunge, or Indie Sleaze, there is a resurgence of the early to mid-2010s aesthetic and THANK GOD this time it's not the galaxy leggings and the dark side of Tumblr because we do not need to bring that back. 

If you weren't there for it, you really missed out- Listening to Arctic Monkeys and the 1975 (on vinyl, of course) while wearing creepers, fishnets, shorts and a striped top with an alien on it for whatever reason because we were so quirky. A time of questionable Wattpad fanfic and unhealthily tight skinny jeans. Okay if you're under the age of about 19 reading this- I promise it was way better than it sounds. 

And as the Tumblr grunge aesthetic is regaining popularity, and I never completely grew out of that phase, I feel somewhat qualified to advise on achieving the 2014 grunge look. 

The first thing you're going to want to do is dye your hair- specifically lavender, generally thrown into messy space buns- the darker the root regrowth, the better.  Your other option for hair is to go full fringe, dyed jet black but you do run the risk of looking like Edna from The Incredibles- but to each their own. 

Next, throw on a denim pair of shorts and a black skater skirt, with a pair of fishnets underneath- bonus points if both the shorts and fishnets are ripped. Black boots, Doc Martens preferably, should be paired with this. 

For the top, you'll want a band top- not the ‘TikTok preppy’ Nirvana ones, classic Nirvana, or a floral crop top. The Nirvana one requires a flannel shirt tied around your waist and the floral one needs an oversized denim jacket. 

Optional extras include a black long sleeve top under the other, shorter sleeve top, a flower crown (very clearly plastic) and a black fedora. 

This was written to be assessed as part of my Journalism course. This was in Semester 2 of Level 6 and was for the Undergraduate Major Project, where I created a (primarily) music magazine, aimed at Gen Z. Below is the page design for this article.