11 Funky Grunge Summer Styles: Back In The Day Ideas

Summer’s knocking at the door again, and I can't help but drift back to those steamy Southern afternoons when style was loud, layered, and just a little creative in the ’80s and ’90s. 

Back in the day, I didn’t call my style grunge, I didn’t label my looks. I  just knew what felt good. And what felt good was dressing funky, mismatched, and all over the place. Honestly, I had no real fashion sense.

But, in high school, summers in Louisiana meant trying to stay cool while still trying to look cool. I  didn’t have the money for trends or big shopping trips. What I did have was imagination, hand-me-downs, and whatever I could pull from the back of my closet. Sometimes that meant rolling up old denim shorts until they looked like they were made just for me. Sometimes it meant wearing a lace top meant for church and pairing it with combat boots and a wild necklace. I lived by no rules, I was genuinely just putting on clothes that I liked. 

Looking back, some of my favorite pieces weren’t even mine. My granny’s jewelry box was a treasure chest of pearl necklaces, gold rings, clip-on earrings, and tangled necklaces. I wore all of it when she wasn’t watching. Even now, the memory of those chunky bracelets dangling down my arms brings me joy. I’d sneak into her room, digging for anything shiny or unusual. To me, style was a kind of play. I didn’t need it to match. I needed it to speak. Oh, how I wish I had kept her jewelry once she passed. 

My uncle helped shape that, too. He was a reseller way before that word hit the internet. His little side hustle meant his house always had bags of random clothes and accessories, belts, boots, denim jackets, lace gloves. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was learning how to build outfits out of nothing. To create something fresh from leftovers.

That’s what funky grunge means to me. It’s not just a look. It’s a mindset. It’s showing up in a pair of torn shorts, a mesh top, a flannel shirt tied at the waist, and feeling like you just invented a new trend. It’s not about looking like someone else, it’s about expressing you, in all your texture, mood, and messiness. 

Living in Texas now, the sun feels just as cruel as it did back in Louisiana. Summer heat doesn’t leave much room for layers, but it doesn’t have to mean boring. Funky grunge works in the heat because it’s flexible. You can wear less, but say more. That’s the beauty of it. You can throw on a vintage tee, knot it at the waist, add cut-offs and boots, and suddenly you’re telling a story with your clothes. A story that’s part past, part present, and all attitude.

Even when I  wore less clothing, I would layer and layer. #always

I remember the way girls in the neighborhood would show up in granny boots yes, actual lace-up, high-ankle boots in the middle of summer. Paired with crochet tops or old-school tanks, it somehow made sense. The heat didn’t stop us. If anything, it pushed us to be more creative. The less we could wear, the more we made each piece count.

That’s why I love funky grunge for summer. It gives you permission to mix it all up. It’s the freedom to wear fishnet under shorts, or to drape yourself in layers of silver even when the sun is high. It’s a secondhand tee, a big pair of shades, and confidence that doesn’t ask for approval.

When I dress this way now, I’m not just putting on clothes. I’m remembering who I was back then just a a curious girl, who was a little unsure but always ready to experiment with my style. I didn’t have a name for what I was doing. I just knew it felt good. It felt like me.

So, as the sun rises higher and the days stretch longer, I say bring back those funky grunge vibes. Dust off the boots, dig through that forgotten jewelry box, layer that slip dress over a ragged tank, pull out the denim jackets and flower shorts. Wear that fringe even if you don’t have anywhere to go. Make an outfit that turns heads or raises eyebrows. Not because you're trying to impress anyone, but because you can. And that’s on every Funky Thang!

This summer, I’m celebrating the old school with a fresh spin. Not by following trends, but by honoring the mix-and-match spirit that made me fall in love with style in the first place. Whether you're pulling from memory, your closet, or the back of someone else’s, there’s comfort in putting together something that feels personal. (not copied)

Stay tuned because I’ll be sharing more style photos soon, inspired by these memories and built from that same funky grunge foundation. Until then, I hope my post today reminds you that style doesn’t have to make sense to anyone but YOU. It just has to make you feel like yourself.

And if you’re sweating in the sun with too many rings on your fingers and a scarf tied around your belt loop? You’re doing it exactly right.

Which summer funky grunge style do you like the best? Stay tuned, something is coming.

-Tangie