AFTER PARTY

Grunge fashion is essentially nonfashion. The casual looks often include flannels, faded and distressed jeans, combat boots, T-shirts, oversized layers, beanies and other pieces, with many of these items being thrifted or vintage. To finish the look, messy hair and dark colored makeup are often a staple. With a rise in the popularity of thrifting, many are creating original looks that echo the unique “less is more” outfits inspired by grunge fashion. Young women are often seen wearing darker-toned garments featuring cut-outs, mesh and leather, first incorporated by grunge fashion.

Grunge fashion was first seen in Seattle following the rise of grunge rock music, also known as the Seattle Sound. With artists like Kurt Cobain, Pearl Jam and Mudhoney, the daring music spoke to the hungry youth of the 80s generation. In their efforts to redefine music, they heavily impacted pop culture on a larger scale. It was their influence on fashion and culture that became the era we know as ‘90s grunge.’

With phrases like, “you only live once” or “live while you’re young,” remaining popular in younger generations, it is clear the 80s and 90s grunge party scene’s have had lasting impacts on today’s culture.

However, back then the party scene was a more significant part of society. With the legal drinking age being just 18 in most states, drinking, drug use and hypersexual activities started to take over the nightlife scene. But without knowing the dangers this type of partying could cause, it resulted in a lot of young deaths nationwide, including high profile celebrities such as Kurt Cobain and Jon Bonham.

Being young is beautiful and liberating, and it is part of the reason why grunge culture and fashion became so popular in the first place. But even when having fun and engaging in party culture, it is still important to take care of yourself. After Party is a visceral depiction of not only the fashion parallels between adolescence today and from decades before, but to deliver caution to our generation on how toxic the modern party scene can be.

While society today is more aware of these dangers and the drinking age has been raised, in many ways the present day club and bar culture is more accessible than ever before. With the increase of fake IDs, pregaming, drinking games, the broader range in party locations and the rise in social media and the growing desire to “capture the moment,” partying is still a large part of society. And while the popularity of smoking cigarettes might have grown less significant since the 80s, it has since been replaced with the growing presence of vaping. Partying today is still dangerous in many ways.

Being young is beautiful and liberating, and it is part of the reason why grunge culture and fashion became so popular in the first place. But even when having fun and engaging in party culture, it is still important to take care of yourself. After Party is a visceral depiction of not only the fashion parallels between adolescence today and from decades before, but to deliver caution to our generation on how toxic the modern party scene can be.

Style: Lia Gabrielle Words: Kathleen Mahoney Photo: Karina and Trina Glam: Olivia Simmone, Evelyn Campau