How to wear: Grunge like Kurt and Courtney

Plaid shirts. Ripped jeans. Slouchy jerseys. Babydoll dresses. Doc Martens. No, you're not watching a Nirvana or Pearl Jam video: grunge has returned as a fashion favourite, with singers such as Rihanna, Sky Ferreira and Miley Cyrus channelling their inner Courtney Love.

The look made a comeback a few seasons ago, and shows no signs of disappearing from the bodies of the hip. At its core, grunge is about flipping the bird to ''society" (whoever they are) and really not giving a toss. So the first rule of pulling off grunge fashion is: don't look like you've tried too hard.

To some people the grunge look - scruffy and unbelievably cool - comes naturally, but unless you're in a band or are supermodel Cara Delevingne, it won't. Going grunge doesn't mean going full throttle and wearing every grunge element imaginable in one outfit. That's just overkill.

You don't have to wear a beanie teamed with an oversized camouflage jacket, ripped jeans and chunky boots (with a plaid shirt tied around your waist): you can do it in bits and pieces.

Throw on a plaid shirt (or plaid coat, one of this winter's key items) over a skirt, jeans or pants. Or team an otherwise chic outfit with flatforms (the shoes are very punk, but also work well with the grunge look). Wear an oversized jersey with skinny jeans and high heels. Wear a baby doll dress with Doc Martens.

Ripped jeans can be worn dressed up or down: they look as cool with high heels that show off some toe cleavage as they do with All Stars.

Though the original grunge fashion icons are now either in their 40s or dead, the look works best if you're in your 20s. But anyone can wear a plaid shirt.

Whatever you do, don't go out in your pyjama pants and a slouchy cardigan: you're not Kurt Cobain.