Pastel Grunge

Pastel Grunge is an aesthetic that rose to prominence on Tumblr and Lookbook in the early 2010s. This aesthetic takes the edgier, more rough side of Grunge and other more hardcore aesthetics, and combines them with the softer, more romantic and feminine aspects of styles such as Pastel Goth. It's also influenced by the Heroin Chic style of the 1990s, and, as the name states, Grunge.

The aesthetic is also associated with 2014 Tumblr.

Visuals[]

tie-dye
neon lights
holographic
pastel galaxies
cartoon aliens
drippy texts
old records
crystals
weed

Fashion[]

Pastel Grunge style lays between the Grunge and Pastel Goth. It takes a lot of inspiration from the 2010's fashion trends. The style is characterized by a simple, basic color palette. Silhouette is fitted, especially the base layer of the outfit (tight top and bottoms), with oversized flannels and jackets being the distinctive loose element.

Makeup[]

Dark eyebrows
Black smokey eye
Eyeliner, usually thin
Dark lipstick - burgundy, purple, black

Tops[]

Tie-dye band or graphic teas
Black and white striped shirts
White, black and grey crop tops

Outerwear[]

Studded jackets
Flannel shirts, often tied around the waist
Long black cardigans or zip-up hoodies

Bottoms[]

Tie-dye shorts
Galaxy print leggings
Ripped jeans

Shoes[]

Black or white platforms - Doc Martens, Creepers
Sneakers - Converse, Vans

Accesories[]

Studded hairbands
Black tights, often ripped
Black fishnets
Chokers and necklaces with silver, or crystal pendants*
Silver rings, optional black details
Round black or pastel sunglasses

*with moon, sun, planet, yin yang and pentagram being common themes; crystals are usually smokey or rose quartz, amethyst, various black stones and marble.

Music[]

The Pastel Grunge aesthetic is influenced by a lot of music. It's common to see a lot of influence from Lana Del Rey and similar artists, as her music especially defines the pastel and coquette-based aspects of this aesthetic. We also obviously see a very big Grunge influence, as well as other 90s bands/artists falling under the same sort of umbrella.

Artists[]

Lana Del Rey
Arctic Monkeys
Halsey
Lorde
The 1975
Joy Division
Nirvana
Fiona Apple
MARINA
The Neighbourhood
Cigarettes After Sex
Melanie Martinez

Albums[]

Ultraviolence by Lana del Rey
Live Through This by Hole
Nevermind by Nirvana
Electra Heart by MARINA
AM by Arctic Monkeys
Born to Die by Lana del Rey
I Love You. by The Neighbourhood
Wiped Out by The Neighbourhood
BADLANDS by Halsey
Pure Herione by Lorde
Ghost by Sky Ferreria
Night time, my time by Sky Ferreria
Crybaby by Melanie Martinez

Media[]

TV Shows and Movies[]

Skins UK (2007)
Girl, Interrupted (1999)
Jennifer's Body (2009)
Thirteen (2003)
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
Lolita (1997)