Campus Fashion, Student Styles, Style, Trend and Beauty

Normcore: Taking style from grunge to glamorous

Fashion bloggers everywhere are rocking styles that are completely unexpected: old running shoes, vintage band tees, sweatpants, ripped jeans – and it doesn’t stop there.

This up-and-coming trend of wearing vintage, unusual clothes has become affectionately known as “normcore,” and is a mix of sporty, yet grungy styles inspired by the ’90s.

With so many style icons and their followers creating ensembles with the newest “in” clothing, it’s hard to make a unique fashion statement these days.

Nomcore is a response to this. How? By creating a statement by going back to basics in order to stand out. Below are some examples of normcore clothing you may not have noticed your classmates wearing, but that are undoubtedly trending on Central Michigan University’s campus.

Vintage Band Tees

One of the best parts of normcore style is that it gives you an excuse to bust out that old AC/DC or Rolling Stones t-shirt. A great way to rock old band tees is to contrast the bagginess of the shirt with a pair of skinny jeans and some vintage shoes.

Sydney Shymkus, senior, of Cary Illinois, wears a vintage inspired Nirvana shirt. (Photo | Andrea Henk)
Sydney Shymkus sports her vintage Nirvana band tee as a part of the normcore style. (Photo | Andrea Henk)

Muscle Tees

Muscle tees, once popularized by men, are now making their way into the closets of many women. These can be made feminine with a pair of leggings and colorful flats, or you can grunge them up with some acid-wash jeans and combat boots.

Long Sleeves Tied Around Waist

The once popular trend we all loved in middle school is making an exciting comeback. This time, though, it is typically done with flannels rather than sweatshirts. A cute top, dark jeans and a flannel around the waist is a great way to add some curves to your outfit.

Brianna Clippert rocks a plaid flannel around her waist and ripped jeans, typical 90s grunge fashion. (Photo | Andrea Henk)
Oxford senior Brianna Clippert rocks a plaid flannel around her waist and ripped jeans – typical ’90s grunge fashion. (Photo | Andrea Henk)

Ripped Jeans

Ripped jeans are a trend that will always come and go, but right now, they’re in. Complement the outrageousness of your ripped jeans by pairing them with a basic top and simple shoes and you’ll be rocking the normcore look in minutes.

Old Gym Shoes

If you are looking to bring some normcore to a sporty look, breaking out the vintage gym shoes is the way to go. For guys, it can be done with a simple pair of shorts and a plain-colored top. Girls tend to rock their vintage shoes with a pair of yoga pants and something neutral on top. No matter what outfit you pair them with, make sure that all the attention goes to your cool shoes.

Brianna Clippert bought these white tennis shoes at Meijer almost six years ago. "They may have been cheap but they are still wearable," Brianna said. Her friend, Shelly, drew pictures on them a while back.
Brianna Clippert bought these white gym shoes almost six years ago. “They may have been cheap but they are still wearable,” Clippert said. Her friend, Shelly, drew pictures on them a while back. (Photo | Andrea Henk)

Floods

Have some cool sandals or tennis shoes you want to show off, but your pants get in the way? Roll up your pants and turn them into floods. While some of us may have been made fun of in elementary school for this, floods can actually help bring attention to your shoes and add some flair to a basic outfit.

Facebooktwitterpinterest