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Before we take the lunge into 90's grunge, a quick flashback

I have a feeling the 90's have only begun to haunt us.  Okay, so maybe haunt is the wrong word, I mean, my entire childhood spans the 1990's and I often look back fondly.  But I can't help but feel that the 90's will never go away; from rehashing the always dramatic, yet original soap opera for teens, Beverly Hills 90210 into a new hip, hot mix between Gossip Girl and Laguna Beach, 90210 on the CW Network.  Some 90's music just won't die: from the New Kids on the Block (should be called Old Dads in the Burbs) going at it again, hitting the road to promote their new album September 23 to Britney Spears being incapable of letting her poptart teen years go by releasing yet another over-produced pop-dance album, oh-so-cleverly named, Circus.

But what's really daunting is the fashion from the decade is making it's way back to the racks (or rather into certain celebrity's closets).  From the Sri Lankan Brit (currently residing in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn) Dance Hall Queen M.I.A taking 90's neon fashion straight from Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

                                             painfullyhip.com                                                     ultragraphik.com

The Lunge into 90's Grunge

But what's most astonishing is the grunge fashion reappearing on such fashionistas as Mary-Kate Olsen and Chloe Sevigny.  I, personally see nothing wrong with the grunge era.  Great, influential music game from it (Nirvana--Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains etc.). Plus, I still rock my black 10-hole Docs when the occasion calls.  But what I (semi) scoff at is that the grunge fashion in the 90's (by these bands) was fueled by their lack of money. Yet here is MK, one of the richest women in her age bracket rockin' dingy plaid (with a rather grungy looking dude). And successful actress, Sevigny apparently favors ratty cut-offs, lace-up boots, and Seattle-friendly plaid over fashion savvy styles.

                                         theinsider.com                                                          leblogdelagamine.blogspot.com

MK not only channels Kurt Cobain but also the 90's (and beyond) movie god, Johnny Depp.  He's known in his public and private life to lack an eye for fashion trends and virtually incapable of "cleaning up."  His love of messy layers is usually shunned by fashion critics but here we can see MK has fully embraced it.

                                                         theinsider.com                                                            latimesblogs.latimes.com

The 1994 movie, Reality Bites defined the generation by exploring the lives of four recent college graduates in the early 90's grappling with the reality of finding jobs, AIDS tests, (yuppie) success, and of course, love.  Clearly, the issues are still prevalent, but some are surprised to still see the fashion is still recycling through our wardrobes as well.  So I ask you, which image from below is a still from the movie?

                                                                                                 rottentomatoes.com

                                                                                            theinsider.com

Okay, what gave it away that the first image is from Reality Bites? It must be the graduation gown! Or possibly the oversized purse (which is a 2000's trend piece) or the fact that in 1994, when MK was only 13 or 14, she couldn't have passed for a post collegiat.  Sevigny, being 34, at least lived through the 90's, so her excuse may be that she just never got rid of her 90's appearal.  If you scroll back up the the Reality Bites still, take a look at Janeane Garofalo's flattering floral (note the neon tights paired with green platforms and her bangin' bangs...it's all hot now, after about 10-12 years) and then see how Sevigny is babygirl cute with her simple floral.

                                                                                                                          photobucket.com/HBDCBLO/02.jpg

So what's my point?  That if it's been in style before, that it will be again.  Agree?  Is "hipster fashion" the new grunge fashion?  What grunge trends have carried over into your style?