Alt Style Guide: How to show your mom it was more than just a phase

Written by Abby Garrett

If you were anything like me, you spent your adolescent years posting on your Tumblr blog, shopping at Hot Topic, and begging your parents for a pair of Platform Vegan Doc Martens. Perhaps you were never seen out of your My Chemical Romance band t-shirt, skinny jeans and that checkered belt that everyone seemed to have. Maybe you were a scene kid, an emo, a soft grunge pastel goth cry baby or a manic pixie dream girl. Maybe you grew out of it or maybe you never will. Whatever the case, alternative fashion is back in the spotlight. Here’s your style guide to look the part.

Let’s rewind a little bit. Back in the 90’s, grunge, punk and goth styles were widely popularized and worn by celebrities like Courtney Love, Drew Barrymore, and Winona Ryder. 

Flash forward to today, there’s been a major revival of 90’s fashion. To get this look, try pairing a band t-shirt and  flannel with ripped jeans. Add a cat-eye liner and bold red or black lipstick (this one's my favorite). For a minimalist look, try styling a plain white cotton t-shirt with thrift-able items like a leather or jean jacket, high waisted jeans and your favorite pair of boots. If you’re on a budget, try adding goth and grunge elements to simple dress and skirt outfits you already have with platform shoes, ripped tights, fish nets, and choker necklaces like this. Many subculture fashion styles like emo and hardcore/metalcore sport a uniform of simple all black outfits. Most style band t-shirts with Converse or Vans, and add accent colors or patterns to break up otherwise monochromatic looks. 

Inspired by the mid-2000’s scene and mall goth fashions, the “e-girl” and “e-boy” look has become popular, so much so that one could joke it’s a government PSYOP. The look often features chains, chokers, “lesbian earrings,” striped shirts (often layered), short plaid skirts, big pants and dramatic eyeliner with softer, anime-inspired makeup. While these looks are captivating and unique to the individual, a lot of the styles share similarities, such as bright colored hair, knee-high socks, fingerless fishnet gloves and even the iconic racoon tail hair dye — all updated Gen-Z versions items that would have been worn by Ellie on Degrassi or posted on Myspace. The key to this style is finding a good balance between the soft and colorful and the dark and edgy. Try pairing bright or pastel clothes (like this Sailor Moon inspired top) with something darkwave and witchy like a black pleated tennis skirt. Add tights or knee high socks and some accessories, and you’ll be TikTok famous in no time — or become a millionaire selling your bathwater. Consider a new hair color (or two) or even a new facial piercing— especially if it helps prove to your parents that it isn’t a phase.

Remember that “alt” fashion comes from the culture of alternative music. Not everyone who listens to alternative music dresses the same. Alt fashion is just as wide-ranging as alt music. However, it is important to recognize that the culture these styles come from are often anti-racist, anti-capitalist, and anti-facist. There are many different subgenres and niche communities that encompass the diverse alternative scene but the one thing they all have in common is inclusivity. The alt scene is a place for people of all races, genders, sexualities to express themselves and go against the grain of what society says.

For more ideas and inspiration, check out my Pinterest board. I hope you are inspired to try an exciting new look, but I’m not responsible if you get stared at by boomers in public or for any damage you do to your hair.