BY JULIA DEGREGORIO
Staff Writer

The potential presidential showdown of Bush versus Clinton in 2016 would not be society’s only flashback to the ‘90s: the fashion of that decade has come back in a big way.
The ‘90s are characterized by a series of trends and fads that have shaped what is now thought of as typical teenage culture. Grunge, a testament to teenage rebellion and self-expression, originated in the ‘90s only to come back in the 21st century.
Students at Baldwin are not exempt from these trends, sporting typical grunge staples such as flannels, Doc Martens, dark lipstick, and choker necklaces.
Grunge’s newfound popularity could partly be due to its easy layering.
Changing temperatures make layers practical and make any wardrobe more expandable. Flannels and oversized cardigans, classic ‘90s grunge staples, can be worn with anything from dresses to jeans to leggings, or they can be tied around the waist, making it easy to transition through the changing seasons and unpredictable weather.
More and more Baldwin students have ditched the monotony of the mall for thrift shops where they can find something more original. This is not a new trend. In the ‘90s, teenagers would commonly raid thrift shops to embrace the low budget, anti-materialism philosophy of grunge. At the thrift store, there are many archetypal ‘90s grunge clothing items, such as worn-in flannels, vintage t-shirts, and nightgown-esque dresses.
Thrift shopping brought about the DIY trend, also a tribute to classic ‘90s grunge fashion. “Do it yourself” fashion originated as a way to create an effortless, slovenly style. DIY inspired by the ‘90s allows teenagers to reimagine their coveted thrift store finds as something original and new. Grunge’s DIY accessibility makes the style limited to no demographic, making it ideal for teenagers.
Grunge has its roots in the fashion philosophy of comfort and effortlessness, but that does not exclude dresses and skirts. T-shirt dresses, effortlessly stylish yet extremely comfortable, have popped up in the hallways, paired typically with high socks and combat boots. Floral skater dresses, contrasted with black combat boots, make another popular look with strong ‘90s origins.
Grunge can be as subtle as a Nirvana t-shirt or a flannel around the waist. Fashion trends through the decades become immortalized by the newest teen fad. Who knows? Maybe in 30 years Baldwin students will once again resurrect this trend.