Fall 2025’s Prep & Grunge Mashup: 5 Outfits You Need Now
Intro — The Unlikeliest Trend Taking Over TikTok
This fall, fashion’s unlikeliest couple is taking over TikTok: prep and grunge. Once complete opposites — one polished and proper, the other raw and rebellious — these styles are colliding in ways that feel fresh, unexpected, and ridiculously wearable.
The hashtag #preppygrunge has already racked up over 8.7 million views on TikTok, with creators styling varsity jackets over ripped jeans, pairing cable knits with leather minis, and swapping loafers for combat boots mid-video. Pinterest boards are overflowing with moodboards that could be torn straight from Vogue or an old punk zine.
Why is this the Fall 2025 fashion trend to watch? Because it’s personal. The preppy foundation keeps your look structured and smart, while the grunge elements bring edge, authenticity, and a sense of rebellion. Whether your vibe leans “ivy league lecture” or “backstage pass,” this mashup makes space for both.
At Cordsmiff, we’ve been living in this crossover for seasons — think the Tennis Sunday Sweater Vest alongside the Velvet Static Rose Shirt. Here’s how to nail the preppy grunge outfit formula with five looks that work for men, women, and everyone in between!
Look 1: Varsity Jacket Meets Combat Boots (Men’s)
The Vibe: Imagine pulling on a varsity jacket that’s been with you through wins, losses, and a few questionable parties. The wool sleeves are a little faded, the patches slightly frayed, but that’s the charm. Underneath, a vintage graphic tee adds a flash of rebellion, peeking out from the preppy shell. Your trousers are plaid but perfectly imperfect — maybe a little rumpled, maybe cuffed twice just because. The combat boots? Scuffed from nights out, the kind that end at 3 a.m. with a slice of pizza. It’s the look of someone who can quote the school motto but prefers their anthems loud and distorted.
Celebrity Reference: Evan Mock layering varsity jackets over baggy jeans and skater sneakers; Tyler, The Creator’s bright letterman jackets with unexpected layering.
Social Proof: On TikTok, #preppygrungefit videos show thrifted varsity jackets thrown over vintage band tees, with creators swapping penny loafers for chunky boots in quick transitions.
Cordsmiff Tie-In: Layer the Tennis Sunday Sweater Vest under a varsity jacket, letting a Cordsmiff graphic tee peek through for that slightly messy grunge twist.
Retail Picks:
Dr. Martens 1460 Combat Boots – $170
Zara Tartan Check Trousers – $69
Pro Move: Add enamel pins, frayed cuffs, or hand-sewn patches to the jacket to make it yours.
Look 2: Plaid Skirt + Oversized Graphic Tee (Women’s)
The Vibe: Think first-day-of-school energy with a rebellious twist. The skirt is pleated, crisp, and unapologetically plaid, but instead of a fitted blouse, you throw on an oversized band tee that hangs loose over your frame. Maybe the shirt’s sleeves swallow your hands, maybe the hem nearly hits the skirt’s edge — either way, it’s comfort and confidence rolled into one. Loafers give the nod to academia, but knee-high socks and smudged eyeliner say you’ve got other plans after class. It’s equal parts hallway gossip and front row at the indie gig.
Celebrity Reference: Hailey Bieber pairing plaid skirts with chunky boots; Olivia Rodrigo rocking oversized tees and knee-high socks.
Social Proof: TikTok’s #plaidskirtoutfit tag features countless swaps from crisp button-downs to slouchy band tees — the mood changes instantly.
Cordsmiff Tie-In: The Velvet Static Rose Shirt tucked loosely into a pleated skirt keeps it flirty but not fussy.
Retail Picks:
G.H. Bass Weejuns Loafers – $175
Urban Outfitters Over-the-Knee Socks – $16
Pro Move: Play with proportions — the bigger the tee, the better the attitude.
Look 3: Blazer + Distressed Denim (Men’s)
The Vibe: You walk into a coffee shop in a sharp blazer, and heads turn — not because you’re overdressed, but because you’ve made it look effortless. Underneath is a graphic tee with cracked ink from years of wear, and the jeans are the kind you don’t mind kneeling in to fix your bike chain. The blazer gives you that put-together base, but the rest of the outfit says you’ve got a playlist full of garage bands and no fear of a little rain. Sneakers ground it all, keeping the vibe approachable instead of uptight. It’s the sweet spot between professor’s office hours and the dive bar you’ll hit after.
Celebrity Reference: Harry Styles pairing blazers with printed tees; Bad Bunny mixing tailoring with sneakers.
Social Proof: TikTok’s #stylingblazers shows creators swapping trousers for ripped denim to instantly change the mood.
Cordsmiff Tie-In: The Trash Romance Tee under a sharp thrifted blazer hits the perfect contrast.
Retail Picks:
Levi’s 501 Original Fit Jeans – $89
Converse Chuck 70 High-Tops – $85
Pro Move: Push up your blazer sleeves and stack some rings or bracelets.
Look 4: Cable Knit + Leather (Women’s)
The Vibe: You start with a cable knit sweater so soft it could belong in a country estate — thick stitches, maybe a little oversized, in a shade of cream or heather gray. But instead of pairing it with slacks or a skirt suit, you throw on a faux leather mini that immediately flips the mood. Add sheer black tights, stomp-worthy boots, and maybe a bold red lip, and suddenly you’re the one turning heads at the late-night poetry reading. This look is cozy, confident, and just dangerous enough.
Celebrity Reference: Janelle Monáe layering knits over leather; Kristen Stewart mixing cable knits with leather minis.
Social Proof: #oldmoneygrunge on TikTok showcases chunky knits with edgy textures like leather and mesh.
Cordsmiff Tie-In: The Vintage College Knit Sweater over a faux leather mini is pure prep-grunge gold.
Retail Picks:
Aritzia Babaton Faux Leather Skirt – $98
ASOS Platform Chelsea Boots – $75
Pro Move: Keep the sweater untucked for a relaxed feel — then add a plaid scarf for cohesion.
Look 5: Rugby Shirt + Ripped Jeans (Gender-Neutral)
The Vibe: Picture a vintage rugby shirt with bold stripes — maybe navy and forest green — that looks like it’s seen both practice scrimmages and late-night jam sessions. It’s slightly oversized, so it layers perfectly over a fitted long-sleeve or a thin turtleneck when the weather cools. The jeans are light-washed and ripped in all the right places, not for fashion’s sake but because you’ve lived in them. Sneakers or beat-up loafers finish the look, making it adaptable whether you’re heading to the bookstore, the skate park, or your favorite bar’s trivia night. It’s a wear-anywhere, be-anyone fit.
Celebrity Reference: Timothée Chalamet rocking rugby shirts with sneakers; Bella Hadid pairing them with distressed denim and vintage caps.
Social Proof: The hashtag #rugbyshirtoutfit is gaining traction, with creators styling them equally for men and women.
Cordsmiff Tie-In: Try the Cordsmiff Debate Club Sweatshirt in place of a traditional rugby for a sport-meets-street upgrade.
Retail Picks:
Levi’s Baggy Dad Jeans – $98
Adidas Samba OG Sneakers – $100
Pro Move: Roll up the sleeves and layer a thin long-sleeve tee underneath for depth.
Wrap-Up — Your Turn to Break the Rules
The beauty of the prep-grunge mashup is that there’s no wrong answer — only your answer. It’s about pairing something polished with something imperfect, something intentional with something spontaneous.
Fall 2025 fashion trends are moving fast, but this one’s easy to make your own. Start with a preppy base — a blazer, a pleated skirt, a cable knit — then disrupt it with something that tells your story. That could be scuffed boots, frayed hems, or a vintage tee you’ve had for years.
And here’s the thing: the sooner you try it, the more you’ll own it. By October, prep-grunge will be everywhere. Do it now, and you’ll be ahead of the curve.
Style your own look, tag @Cordsmiff on Instagram or TikTok, and we might just share your fit on our feed. Browse our latest collection to find your perfect mashup piece — made just for you, no waste, no stockpiles, just style with intention.
