They were, I was NOT a fan of grunge music nor the look, Ive never looked at seattle the same way since.
I grew up in both actually, I moved from SoCal when I was 12 going on 13 then finished those last 5 years of kid life back here in chicago, MAJOR cultural changes between the two places.
I do agree, NEVER judge a book by its cover. The nastiest looking dude you see could be the nastiest richest dude you see.
I wore shorts mostly and t shirts till I moved here then it went to pants (moved here in sept of 93, big climate shock too)
I do have to argue the skater kids now are NOTHING like they were 20-25 years ago. back then we didnt wear skinnies, yes baggy but they did serve a purpose with all the activity of skating and BMX riding ect. But the skater kids I see wearing skinnies walk around like that pic you posted. Holding their boards. I dunno but back in the day those boards would be confiscated and other stuff by the skaters back then.
Best example I can give between then and now. Gleaming the cube.
And I agree, same can be said about any group or clique. Its just funny how things come back around that you used to do way back when and now its more of a "WTF" response from us old fogies.