Today's Strands clue is "It's back!". Use the hints below to find the theme words and the spangram.
INHIESNELCSCITCYNRESARSURTUITNETSNUENRKGRODACEGN
Theme nudge: What to look for
Look for fashion and culture comebacks from a memorable decade.
Hint 1: How many words to find
There are 5 theme words plus one spangram.
Hint 2: The spangram
The spangram has 13 letters, starts with N, and runs from the top of the board to the bottom.
Hint 3: Theme word lengths and first letters
- 6 letters, starts with G
- 5 letters, starts with L
- 4 letters, starts with N
- 10 letters, starts with S
- 10 letters, starts with T
Show the spangram
NINETIESTREND
Show all theme words
GRUNGE, LYCRA, NEON, SCRUNCHIES, TRACKSUITS
About this puzzle
- Made by Christina Iverson
- Edited by Tracy Bennett
Strands deep dive
More about today's puzzle. Everything in this section can include the answer.
The solved board
INHIESNELCSCITCYNRESARSURTUITNETSNUENRKGRODACEGN
Gold squares are the spangram, green squares are theme words.
What the theme words mean
- GRUNGE: (music) A subgenre of alternative rock, originating from Seattle, Washington in the early 1990s, which melds punk and...
- LYCRA: (uncountable) A type of synthetic elastic fabric and fibre (spandex) used for tight-fitting garments, such as swimmin...
- NEON: (countable, uncountable) Neon signs or lights, collectively.
- SCRUNCHIES: A small elasticated ring of fabric placed around long hair to hold it in place behind the head.
- TRACKSUITS: (clothing) A garment, usually consisting of a top and trousers (commonly known as tracksuit bottoms) worn as an outer...
Play today's Strands at The New York Times
More hints for September 21, 2026
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