The awaited resurrection of ‘90s icon Kurt Cobain has manifested in the form of a fashion throwback. Styles à la grunge, crop tops, and overalls are hanging on the racks of local boutiques.
With the revival of inspired looks from the 1990s grunge music scene, people face the issue of toeing the line between wearing a vintage-inspired design or donning a look manufactured by a time machine. Fashionistas have tackled this with the trend of up-cycling.
This movement traces to the 1970s punk era, and is gaining momentum. When up-cycling, shoppers plunder thrift stores and consignment shops to find one-of-a-kind pieces. The clothing is then altered to give pieces an edgy appearance.
High-waisted and destroyed shorts are a common up-cycled look reminiscent of the time infused with Spice Girl songs, scented nail polish, and giga pets. To replicate this trend, find a pair of vintage jeans that fall on the midriff. The pants are then cut to shorts.
“The idea is to have the crotch of the pants lower than the edges that will fit on your hips,” says Vonnia Linceaga, local up-cycler. “By angling the cut, you get a far more flattering look than just a straight across cut.  It helps you cheat a desired hourglass frame.”
Once the shorts are tailored, bleaching, sandpaper, scissors, and razors can give them a ‘90s flare.
In addition to up-cycling, local boutiques are hopping on the vintage bandwagon. Unhinged offers a unique twist on local fashion. Located in both Sugar House and Provo, the store specializes in quirky and eclectic looks for men and women. It also offers new and vintage items.
“We call ourselves purveyors of the oddly beautiful,” says Corey Folster, owner of Unhinged.
When scavenging the shelves of Unhinged, shoppers can find frayed jeans, plaid shirts, and denim overalls — all looks carrying ‘90s nostalgia. And while Unhinged is paying homage to the decade of “Friends,” baby doll dresses, and snap bracelets, it brings a modern edge to its attire.
“We have a pastel sweater with an embroidered flower patch,” says Sara Tramp, co-owner of Unhinged. “It’s cropped, but it has a modern twist. It’s not slouchy and is fitted.”
Tramp also designs the clothing line Slingshot Pop, which is one of many local manufacturers on display at Unhinged.
“There are so many local artists that don’t have a place to have their goods featured,” Folster says.
Sling Shot Clothing is Tramp’s brainchild, and grew from her love of snowboarding. At first, she worked to design clothing practical for the winter setting. As her talent and eye for fashion evolved, Tramp began to editorialize her garbs. In fact, she is in the swing of the ‘90s fad, and has created crop tops for the spring season. Nonetheless, the plaid-heavy decade is not the main inspiration behind Tramp’s innovations.
From locally made clothing to seasonal fashion, Unhinged mixes it up. Folster has worked to highlight spring looks brushed on the pages of magazines. And while Unhinged stays up-to-date, it also has its own style.
“An Unhinged look would be a really fun floral dress paired with maybe a vintage grandpa cardigan,” Folster says.
The store also features items for men. For spring, Unhinged is utilizing masculine floral patterns — a quirky, odd, and fashion-forward trend.
This year’s trends are about blending styles. The twist between the delicate and destroyed is the key to nailing the ‘90s, as is mixing old and new.
“It’s a really fun spring,” Folster says.  “Almost anything goes in fashion. That’s sort of what we like to encourage here.” fm