Alternative fashion styles are becoming increasingly popular as more people choose to express their individualism and creativity through their clothing. From streetwear to punk, there's something for everyone who wants to create a unique and stylish look. Here, we'll explore the top five alternative fashion styles and discuss what makes each of them so special. Keep reading to find out the best style for you!
Fashion is one of many outlets for personal expression. The term alternative fashion is associated with subcultures like grunge, goth, street, steampunk, punk, and hipster. Although alt fashion encompasses many different genres; each style, at least for a time, stood apart from the mainstream and the mass appeal of commercial fashion.
Members of these subcultures have been related to a disinterest in common moral order; a revolt against structure, social class, and attitudes towards mass production and behavior restrictions.
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These days there are many alternative choices, and even these are being reinvented every day. As with any new style, what began as a revolt against mainstream can catch the eye of the masses and become a popular trend. Many of those who utilize modern alternative fashion may not actually identify with any of the concepts that originally inspired the style.
From the extremely shocking to the just slightly askew; there are hundreds of styles and cultures to pick from. Alternative fashion is all about expressing who you are, not fitting into a category.
Whether your reasons are politically based or simply comfort preferences, alternative fashion allows you to decide what you wear instead of being force fed a new style by mainstream media.
Here are just a few of those alternative fashion styles to select from.
Goth:
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The Goth movement originated in 1970's England, rising from the British rock scene. It made its way over to the United States, where it continued to branch out into various subcultures of gothic. Goth is now making a steady appearance in the mainstream fashion industry internationally.
The Goth movement was started by a group of young people who were disillusioned with the materialism and consumerism of the 1980s. They rejected the traditional values of society and instead embraced a dark, mysterious aesthetic.
The more widely known gothic clothing consists of corsets, handkerchief hems, pale makeup and dark colors, specifically black. A large number of gothic dresses have a corset-inspired bodice with a full, lacey handkerchief-hem skirt.
Anyone can feel like a real gothic beauty cloaked in this mysterious and exotic style. Whether you're a goth yourself or just someone who appreciates the aesthetic, there's no denying that the goth movement has had a significant impact on popular culture.
Street/Urban:
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Street or urban fashion is a distinctive and often rebellious style of dress originating from young, working-class African-American, Hispanic, and Asian-American cultures. Unlike the fashions of the past, which were often dictated by rigid social conventions, street fashion is characterized by its creativity and self-expression. WIthout the restrictions of traditional gender roles, street fashion has allowed both men and women to experiment with their personal style.
In recent years, street fashion has been heavily influenced by the rise of social media. Influencers and bloggers have helped to popularize certain looks and trends, giving rise to a new generation of fashion-savvy consumers. As a result, street fashion has become more globalized than ever before.
Nevertheless, certain cities and regions still have their own unique take on street fashion. In Tokyo, for instance, you’re likely to see more colorful and eccentric styles, whereas in London the focus is on classic and timeless pieces with a modern twist.
Urban fashion identifies a certain look that sways to Hip-Hop and R&B music. It puts an interesting twist on ready-to-wear items by mixing high-end and low-end effortlessly. Also called urban-chic or streetwear fashion, the style is often multicultural with a largely African American influence.
These days, the sportswear look jazzed up with jewelry is still a popular fashion statement. There are many more street items to choose from, some more mainstream than others. What urban style is really about, however, is sporting everyday items any urban kid might find accessible and throw on. It’s fashion suited to city life with a little extra bling.
Hipster:
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Hipster fashion has been on the rise in recent years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. What exactly is hipster fashion? It's a style that is both stylish and quirky, often featuring vintage or handmade items. Hipsters are known for their eclectic taste, and they often mix and match different styles to create their own unique look.
While some people might think hipster fashion is all about looking cool, the truth is that it's also about being comfortable and expressing your personality. So whether you're rocking a pair of skinny jeans or a floral dress, as long as you feel good in what you're wearing, you're doing it right.
Hipsters are people who enjoy riding bicycles outside, picnics in the park, long coffee chats, and listening to music. Their clothing is a reflection of their inner eclectic personalities and their unspoken vow to live outside the mainstream.
Embracing this lifestyle means embracing vintage finds, artisan coffee, and independent films. Skinny jeans and make up which is a pivotal wardrobe piece for both men and women hipsters. Male hipsters are actually more apt to wear these leg-hugging pants, while women opt for leggings and high-waist shorts.
Other classic hipster pieces include oversized framed glasses (even if they have perfect vision); shirts with images of animals, forests, or childhood characters; and a fitted well-worn hoodie. Plaid, floral, and checkers are welcome in any hipster wardrobe.
Steampunk:
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Steampunk fashion is not one defined look but an expression of what the style means to the individual wearing the clothing. It is a mashup of Victorian style and futuristic elements with some steam-inspired reinvention.
Steampunk fashion is all about Victorian corsets, gears, top hats, bustle skirts, and leather. But it is about exploring new ways to invent oneself through imagination and engineering. This is why most of the clothing and accessories have a few unique enhancements such as secret compartments, hidden weapons, and complicated contraptions.
Steampunk fashion is all about being unique, stylish, and imaginative. It's a way to stand out from the crowd and express your individuality. And it's not just for adults - kids love Steampunk fashion too!
There are no rules when it comes to Steampunk fashion. You can be as over-the-top or as subtle as you like. The key is to have fun with it and express yourself in a creative way. Steampunk clothing often features rich colors, bold patterns, and luxurious materials.
It's also not afraid to mix different styles and influences together. As a result, Steampunk fashion is always fresh and exciting.
So why do people love Steampunk outfits? Because they offer a chance to be creative, stylish, and completely unique. Whether you're attending a Steampunk event or just going about your everyday life, wearing a Steampunk outfit is sure to turn heads and get people talking.
Punk:
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Punk rock fashion is all about self-expression and individuality. It's about rejecting conformity and embracing your unique style. Punk rockers are known for their DIY attitude, and their fashion reflects this. They're not afraid to mix and match different styles, or to add their own personal touches to create a look that's entirely their own.
Punk rock fashion is often rebellious and provocative, but most importantly, it's a whole lot of fun. So if you're looking to make a statement with your style, punk rock is the way to go.
The staple pieces of a punk rock wardrobe typically resembles greasers from the 1950’s. Jeans, fitted tees and motorcycle jackets create the base and then creativity is layered into the accessories.
It’s a carefree style that says, “Don’t mess with me.” Show off your “take no bullshit” attitude with metal, metal, and more metal—bronze skulls, silver spikes, and gold snakes. Add checkers and bright colors too. Wear them separate or layer them all together. There are no rules with punk except to express yourself as you truly are and hold nothing back.
Grunge:
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In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a new style began to emerge in the underground music scene of Seattle. This style, known as grunge, merged elements of punk and heavy metal with a DIY aesthetic.
Grunge fashion takes a cue from 90's fashion in Seattle. It allows the wearer to channel their inner Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain, or rock the angsty teen spirit with layers of plaid button downs, floral dresses, oversized skirts, and of course Dr. Martens.
Grunge influenced clothing is all about comfort, sometimes an excess of such. With boyfriend sweaters a size too big, half clasped art-stained overalls, and other signature 90’s influenced fashion you can transport yourself to a time before smartphones and apps, back when mix tapes were a sign of affection.
Grunge clothes were often meant to look "unkempt" and "unpolished," reflecting the DIY ethic of the punk scene. For many young people, grunge was an opportunity to express their individuality and create their own style.
While grunge fashion has largely faded from the mainstream, it continues to influence modern fashion trends. Celebrities such as Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid have been seen sporting "grungy" looks on the runway and in casualwear.
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What society considers alternative is constantly changing because pop culture is constantly changing. These subcultures have all been considered alternative at some point, but many have also all spent time within mainstream popularity.
They have been seen on high fashion runways, as well as department stores. Even after they lose their mainstream steam, they are still readily available. The most appealing feature of alternative fashion is that, unlike mainstream fashion, the root influences never change.
If you are into fashion because you appreciate the lifestyle, you can dress in those styles long after the trend fades.
Cover photo courtesy of www.masha-sedgwick.com
