FYI my “style” is fluid but before anything I was emo asf!! So here are my tips and things I wore/did.
I started dressing emo when I was around 10-11 and the first thing I did when slowly transitioning into the style was wearing darker colors bc if you grew up with strict parents like me, you weren’t allowed to wear black. Instead I opted for shirts, pants and sweaters in dark colors like burgundy, grey, charcoal, navy blue and dark blue jeans.
- Remember to layer, layer, LAYER!!
- Lots and lots of bracelets and necklaces
- Checker and striped patterns
- Don’t be scared to add vibrant colors, you don’t always have to wear black!!
- Mix matched patterns
- Cute and impractical accessories such as stuffed animal backpacks, fingerless gloves, layered belts, big bows, caps, beanies and suspenders
- I wore a lot of videogame/animated styled shirts. Great if you don’t have bands tees or want to switch up your usual style
- Tight fitted tops with rhinestone designs and flared bottom pants with rhinestones on the butt were EVERYTHING at that time!!
- You don’t necessarily have to cut your hair or give yourself a fringe. Personally I had super long hair and I had it parted to the side.
- If you want to take a more “traditional” route, there’s videos on YouTube for how to give yourself a fringe/side bangs.
- Tease the f*ck outta your hair and make it super big at the top and straighten the bottom, this was usually done by scene kids meanwhile emos flat ironed their hair or slightly teased it
- Scene hair included a lot of extensions and patterns/colors. Try adding a raccoon, zebra or cheetah print. Again, DON’T BE SCARED TO USE COLOR!!
- Dry shampoo and hairspray
- I wore mainly vans and high top converse. It was even better when they were extremely beat up and practically tearing at the seams, I would even draw on them
- Thrifting and buying second hand is great. I would suggest eBay or Etsy if you have no available thrift shops or prefer to buy online
- If it’s more affordable for you, you can try Amazon or AliExpress
- You can also DIY, being alternative is about creativity and making things yourself when there’s no other way to get them
- Piercings aren’t necessary but growing up I wanted them so bad XD I think it brings it to another level but it’s absolutely not necessary. Get them if you want tho
- If you reallly want to go back and be bold, mustaches. The mustache print had everyone by the balls. The Eiffel Tower as well.
- If you’d like to wear makeup it’s up to you and what you’d like. Winged eyeliner wasn’t really popular at that time, usually you’d use a black pencil liner on your bottom waterline and smudge it maybe even throw in a slight smudged black eye look. If you prefer winged eyeliner it’s totally okay though, I started doing it when I got into middle school.
- For some reason pale lips were cute, so go ahead and slap some concealer over them. Or if you wanna leave them plain just wear chapstick
- When posting pictures, the lower the quality the better!!
- LISTEN TO THE MUSIC!! Alternative subcultures are MUSIC BASED!! Even if you dress the part, listening to and enjoying the music is a huge part of it as well. You may dress emo but you’re not truly emo if you don’t listen to the music. This can be said for punks, goths, rockers, metal heads etc. as well
I have so many other tips and core memories from my childhood if anyone wants more lmk!! I hope y’all like this. :D