Fairy Grunge Aesthetic Setting the World of Fashion on Fire!
Fairy Grunge is of the most influential and must-know fashion trends right now.
In this article, I’ll introduce you to the best Fairy Grunge clothing brands and stores to shop from right now.
In This Article |
| Fairy Grunge Aesthetic |
| Fairycore Grunge Outfits |
| Fairy Grunge Online Stores |
Before we start, we’ll have a look at the Fairy Grunge aesthetic and explore its origin, the aesthetic’s roots, and the most important stylistic elements.
We’ll also look at the best Fairy Grunge visuals and colors you can use to make your own clothes, or customize your bedroom.
But, if making your own clothes or Fairy Grunge wallpapers is not your thing, jump right to the top 11 best Fairy Grunge clothing shops right now.
Without further ado:
What is Fairy Grunge?
As the name suggests, Fairy Grunge is a modern aesthetic resulting from mixing Fairycore and Grunge aesthetics.
Fairycore – also called Fairy Core, Faecore, or Fairywave – is an aesthetic exploring natural themes of butterflies, soft fluffy animals, flowers, and a bit of magic.
Grunge – also known as the Seattle sound – is an alternative rock genre and subculture that emerged during the mid-80s in Seattle, Washington, USA.
Grunge aesthetics fuse punk rock and heavy metal elements such as visuals of vinyl records, cigarettes, black color, and neon lights, and were very popular in the mid-90s.
The style – thrift clothing worn in a loose, androgynous manner aimed to de-emphasize one’s silhouette – was popularized by music bands Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains.
A combination of the two aesthetics above, the Fairy Grunge aesthetic is very trendy right now with TikTok and Instagram influencers.
Initially, fashion critics described the Fairy Grunge aesthetic as a natural evolution of the Kinderwhore aesthetics, but with an ethereal twist.
Kinderwhore was a clothing style popularized in the mid-90s by a few US-based female grunge bands.
However, compared to Fairy Grunge, Kinderwhore has a profound sexual vibe.
The Kinderwhore look consists of torn or ripped tights, low-cut babydoll dresses, slip dresses, Peter-Pan-collars, chokers, chains, barrettes, knee-socks, and chunky combat boots, or t-bar ”Mary Jane’Jane’ shoes.
The look is completed by overdone makeup and red lipstick, bleached blonde messy hair, heavy dark eyeliners.
Coined by music journalist Everett True in a 1993 interview with Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain, the term ‘Kinderwhore’ was used mainly by the media and musicians of those times.
”When I started Kinder-whore it was more of a ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’ kind of thing, But with an ironic angle. Now, I think, I’m TOUCHING some psychosexual aspects of rock music,”
said Courtney Love in a 1994 interview about her fashion choices.
Three decades later, Fairy Grunge emerged, just like cottagecore, light academia, dark academia, Y2K fashion, cyberpunk, e-girl, and other TikTok aesthetic clothing trends powered by the COVID-19 lockdown.
Fairy Grunge Aesthetic Inspiration
As an aesthetic so close (at least visually) to Fairycore, Fairy Grunge borrows many nature-inspired elements, from textures to colors and even styles.
The most predominant colors in the Fairy Grunge aesthetic are the dark, earthy tones, hence the mistake with the Fairy Goth aesthetic.
The choice of neutral natural colors can best position the Fairy Grunge aesthetic as the ‘darker version’ of Fairycore.
It would also mean that the Grunge side of this aesthetic is ignored, and that’s not right – not to mention the difference in patterns, styles, and cuts.
Best Visuals in Fairy Grunge Aesthetic
Given that the Fairy Grunge aesthetic is based on nature’s elements, the primary visual themes incorporate, as expected, natural colors, styles, and textures.
Some of the most essential Fairy Grunge aesthetic visuals in 2022 are:
- Rocks, stones
- Forests, woods
- Earthy highlands tones
- Night skies
- Walking paths
- Autumn leaves and similar pastels
- Abandoned houses
5 Fairycore Grunge Outfits & Accessories Ideas
The most popular Fairy Grunge sets right now are oversized shirts under lace cardigans, black skater dresses with chunky boots, and midi skirts with ripped tights.
While the materials of choice do not matter much, the colors must be in the ranges of grey, black, beige, and even purple, and ivory.
Most common garments, accessories and pieces of apparel you’ll need to construct your Fairy Grunge aesthetic include:
- Oversized t-shirts and hoodies
- Skirts (either long or mini)
- High knee socks
- Fingerless gloves and leg warmers
- Corset belts
- Fishnets or mesh tights
- Platform shoes (Demonia style)
- Nightgowns
- Mittens gloves
- Large stone jewelry
- Fairy wings and elf ears accessories (fluctuating popularity)
Overall, the main pieces of apparel and accessories required to construct your Fairy Grunge style are:
Jewelry, bags, skirts, tops, shoes, belts, fingerless gloves, leg warmers, ripped tights, and corset.
Following, I’ll detail each of these Fairy Grunge aesthetics, and guide you where to find and order yours.
1.
Fairy Grunge Jewelry & Bags
If you like accessories, this style is for you as, given the darker look of most Fairy Grunge outfits, accessories are ideal so you can ”over accessorize” as much as you can.
Fairy Grunge jewelry includes handmade necklaces and earrings made from glass beads, glass pearls, clear quartz, and a charm to make them attractive.
In my experience, two of the best online stores for Fairy Grunge jewelry and necklaces are Depop and Etsy.
I prefer Depop for upscale Fairy Grunge jewelry and bags; beaded designs, satin, everything for a sleek look.
Etsy, in particular, stocks handmade fairy pendants and earrings in a variety of materials such as cork, quartz, dried moss, and glass.
Most fairy-inspired jewelry pieces on Etsy are elegant, albeit with a touch of Bohemian style that makes them so unique.
Most Fairy Grunge jewelry and earrings on Etsy are made-to-order and, therefore, great for special occasions and events.
Another great online store for Fairy Grunge jewelry (in particular rings) is Amazon.
There I’ve found some great Fairy Grunge rings made of stainless steel; tarnish-resistant, strong, and durable.
Also, on Amazon, there are lots of high-quality and very affordable Fairy Grunge jewelry and bags.
Two of my favs are the Fairy Grunge shoulder messenger purse for women (in white).
and the handmade purse made of a blend of linen and cotton with a polyester lining.
The latter has a flap design and zip closure with no inner pocket and is designed to hold basics such as your smartphone, a small comb, mascara, car keys, and even some mints.
2.
Fairy Grunge Skirts, Tops, & Sweaters
Some of the best online stores to order Fairy Grunge skirts, tops and sweaters are still Depop and Etsy.
However, you’ll find lots of budget-friendly skirts and tops on eBay, Amazon, and AliExpress if you search for ”fairy skirt or ”grunge mesh skirt”.
Another excellent online store/app for Fairy Grunge sweaters and tops is Gem.
Search for ’90s’90s grunge fairy core” and be amazed by their extensive offering of popular grunge tops with elastic band necklines, off-the-shoulder designs, and lace-up details.
3.
Fairy Grunge Gloves & Leg Warmers
Fairy Grunge fingerless gloves must be comfy, soft, well-fitting, almost elegant.
If you go for an elegant look, you can choose a high-quality leather alternative material (vegan leather is excellent).
But don’t forget, the style is fingerless.
The best Fairy Grunge legwarmers are made from a mix of acrylic fabric and wool.
These materials retain a great look while keeping you warm during the cold winter season.
4.
Fairy Grunge Shoes & Belts
First and foremost, make sure that your Fairy Grunge shoes are not just adorable but also comfortable.
That’s because the style primes chunky, heavy boots that will ruin your feet if not appropriately chosen.
Unlike ordinary heavy boots, most Fairy Grunge boots have rubber soles designed to reduce noise while walking.
Additionally, the insides are padded with soft materials to maintain temperature and provide a comfortable touch.
Two of the best stores for Fairy Grunge shoes and belts are Depop and Amazon.
5.
Fairy Grunge Aesthetic Wallpaper & Room Decor (Bonus)
Amazon has some of the best Fairy Grunge aesthetic room essentials such as beddings, canopy decors, and rags in natural and dark earth tones.
To further match the aesthetic of your room, you’ll need some high-quality Fairy Grunge wallpapers.
My recommendation goes to Etsy as it allows you to specify the type of wallpaper you want, be that of paper or fabrics, and customize it to your liking.
Also, check out Depop’sDepop’s adorable mini jewelry boxes designed further to augment your room’s overall Fairy Grunge look.
10 Best Fairy Grunge Shops
These are the top 10 online stores to shop Fairy Grunge aesthetic clothes in 2022:
1.
SHEIN
Shein is one of the largest online stores to stocks Fairy Grunge clothing in several categories.
Expect t-shirts, bottom-down shirts, blouses, sports shirts, and skirts – lots of skirts.
There are lots of fairy-esque, woodsy, dark, and classic grunge clothes in green, browns, greys, black, and beige.
Also, if you are looking for fine dark art or grunge goth clothing, this is the place to shop.
2.
DEPOP
Depop is an online marketplace for second-hand fashion through which you can discover unique and quality Fairy Grunge items.
The online app operates within a global community of celebrities, sellers, and buyers, making buying and selling fashionable second-hand apparel more diverse, inclusive, and less wasteful.
3.
ETSY
Etsy is an American e-commerce company focused on handmade or vintage items and craft supplies.
These items fall under a wide range of categories, including jewelry, bags, clothing, home décor and furniture, toys, art, and craft supplies and tools.
As such, given the construct and the aim of the marketplace, you can find some of the best Fairy Grunge aesthetic clothes here.
And, if you can’t find anything to match your style, there are thousands of sellers waiting for your indications to start a custom-made order.
4.
FREE PEOPLE
While Free People specializes in women’s clothing and vintage collections, the brand’s latest trends for women are focused on fashion, travel, and art.
As such, the company has a lot of fresh Fairy Grunge aesthetic clothes you can choose from.
You can enjoy various products such as jackets, crop tops, jeans, maxi skirts, among many other similar styles.
To top it up, Free People has free standard shipping for orders above $100 if you live in the United States.
5.
ASOS
ASOS has a great offering of modern Fairy Grunge clothing.
As one of the few fashion online stores, ASOS recognizes the importance of freedom of expression and being adventurous through fashion experimentation.
The online store is also committed to sustainable fashion by supporting independent and local designers.
Moreover, the company’s support team is always ready to help you regarding the style you want to put together, your fit, or the different sizes of the brands they stock.
6.
UNIF
UNIF is a great Fairy Grunge online store known for offering a wide range of clothing for men and women at low prices.
The ordering process is transparent, the customer service is excellent, and you’ll find lots of attractive discounts for placing your first order if you search online.
7.
WHYNOTUS
Whynotus is a unique online shop for Fairy Grunge fashion of all kinds of looks and international styles.
Inspired by experimental paintings and movies, the company combines various cultural trends and styles in its super original clothing offering.
8.
H&M
While not a store dedicated to Fairy Grunge aesthetic, H&M has a wide range of clothing about this aesthetic, such as tops, dresses, pants, jeans, blazers, sweatshirts, blouses, shirts, coats, and more.
Driven by the desire to deliver great styles for every taste and every pocket – in a sustainable manner – H&M will make you feel inspired to express your style.
9.
THE MOUNTAIN
The Mountain is one of the best online shops for sustainable Fairy Grunge collections.
Each piece from The Mountain tells an ethical and eco-friendly story in the form of bold designs on hand-dyed apparel.
The company’s integration of art into sustainable apparel has turned it into one of the best tools of self-expression for conscious consumers right now.
10.
ALI EXPRESS
AliExpress is one of the best budget clothing online marketplaces right now.
From partywear to top workwear, AliExpress offers great women’s and men’s clothing that enable you to express your style.
The store also has a wide range of Grunge Fairycore clothing for various occasions, including sportswear, occasionwear, jersey basics, accessories, and shoes.
11.
TUNNEL VISION
Hailing from California, Tunnel Vision’s clothes are either designed in-house or collected from vintage collections and sold on their website.
The brand’s original Fairy Grunge designs are ultimate statements that’ll make you look great and stand out from the crowd.
Fairy Grunge Core – Conclusion
While the Fairy Grunge aesthetic is simple to put together, there are certain stylistic elements you have to respect and follow, giving this aesthetic unique flavor and beauty.
Above all, the Fairy Grunge aesthetic can be appended to clothes, accessories, and shoes, and bedroom décor for a holistic ”fairy-grunge” environment.
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Now it’s your turn…
Are you a pure Fairy Grunge aesthetic lover, or do you prefer to blend your style with other aesthetics as well? If so, which ones?
Are you more on the Grunge or the Fairy side (look-wise)? Why?
Which one of the Fairy Grunge clothing brands (and stores) in this article or stores have you tried and would recommend?
Are there any other great Fairy Grunge aesthetic online stores you know and trust, and want us to add them to this article?
Do let me know in the comments box below, please!
Who researched this? Grunge iconography in the ‘90s had nothing to do with neon or cigarettes. These are elements added in the last few years by bored girls on photo apps. We all smoked in the ‘90s, absolutely no-one was romanticising it or associating it with *aesthetics* because it was just a thing people did. Want an authentic’90s grunge look, try pine forests, tie-dyed long johns, and mud. Check out an album cover or two. Do a little bit more googling next time and those of us who were there will take you seriously.
I actually find the article spot on, and here’s why. I’m a 70s kid and grew up in the 80s listening to grunge bands like Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Mudhoney, Soundgarden, and Melvins in my parent’s basement.
The basement was a neon lights paradise, and we smoked and banged our heads every day. We had no idea what grunge culture was, but rock music, neon lights, alcohol, and cigarettes were some of the coolest things in our lives.
We also had no idea what aesthetic meant either – not that we cared tbh; we dreamed of becoming rock stars one day, copying everything they did.
Every t-shirt, jacket, jeans that resembled that look was praised in gold. We even used to make our own clothes, based on what we saw on tapes and MTV.
And talking about tie-dyed clothes, there’s more neon color in there than in any garment I can think of. About the mud and the pine trees, yeah, maybe it is part of the fairy element, so I won’t comment on that. Overall and without sounding disrespectful, no matter how much Googling you’re going to do, you’ll never be able to understand the times we actually lived in.
So trust me when I say it, this article is pretty bang on. Hey, author, thanks for resurfacing some long-lost memories!