Emo fashion is a style of music that originated in Washington, D.C., in the 1980s and is a combination of pop punk and indie rock. The name “emo” is short for “emotional hardcore.” More than just music, emo is used to describe a particular fashion style popular with the emo subculture — typically teenagers. Emo fashion usually includes tight T-shirts, hoodies, skinny jeans, sneakers, punk accessories and specific hair and makeup styles.
Most emo outfits include a band T-shirt that is often wore tightly. The band has to be considered “cool,” which means it should be an emo band or a band that emo fashion followers think is ironic, such as Journey. The T-shirts are usually short-sleeved and paired with hoodies, another name for sweatshirt jackets. The hoodie should have the name of an emo band, skulls or stars on it or be in a plain, dark color. In emo fashion, hoodies are acceptable year round, no matter the climate.
One of the most important aspects of emo fashion is skinny jeans. These types of jeans are tight from the hips to the ankles, and males can wear girls’ jeans. The goal is that jeans should look painted to the legs, and they can be dark indigo, black or even bright colors, but never the color of regular blue jeans. Black Converse sneakers or skate shoes, such as Vans, are the common shoe choice in emo fashion. Females can wear black buckle shoes, but the main key is to wear simple, flat shoes.
Emo fashion includes many fashion accessories, such as fingerless gloves, studded bracelets, studded leather belts and backpacks or totes with emo band logos. Many people add pins to them. Males and females often wear thin, long and striped scarves to complete an outfit. Multiple ear piercings are part of the trend, and many males wear thick black horn-rimmed glasses, as well.
Hair is an integral part of emo fashion, and the main look is straightened, black hair with long bangs. The bangs usually are swept to the side and cover one or both eyes. Many people add blue, pink or bleached-blond chunky highlights to their hair. Both males and females usually wear black eyeliner in emo fashion, with males creating a smudged look and females wearing straight, clean lines on the top and bottom eyelids. Both sexes also sport black nail polish on chipped nails to compete the overall emo look.
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Emo Fashion for Girls
Female emo fashion is a little more varied and fun to experiment with. You can mix and match different elements to create bold, unique ensembles.
Casual Scene Girl
If you’re feeling androgynous, you can copy male emo style through band t-shirts, skinny jeans, and studded belts. However, if you want to put a playful, feminine twist on a casual scene, opt for a plain tank top in a classic hue and a frilled ra-ra skirt with long striped socks or ripped pantyhose. To finish off this punk-inspired aesthetic, wear Converse on your feet and multi-colored beads necklaces around your neck and wrists.
Smart and Sassy
To dress up the female emo look for a smart casual occasion, you can stick with your skinny jeans and studded belt; however, swap your band tee for a white button-through shirt under a black tank top. You should also swap your Converse or Vans for cute ballet flats and add lace fingerless gloves to amp up the sass.
Color-Pop Your Hair
Emo fringes are just as much of a hair staple on girls as they are boys, but there’s also another factor you need to consider: color. Essentially, the brighter your locks are, the better! Use vivid alternative colors, like blue, purple, and pink, to accent your hair for a quirky, individual look.
Accessorize Accordingly
Just like emo boys wear guyliner, emo girls wear smudged black eyeliner on their waterlines. However, female emo makeup is typically more dramatic, featuring black and gray smoky eyeshadow and feline-like liquid eyeliner along your upper lashes. For a fierce finish, combine your bold emo makeup with facial piercings. Furthermore, if you’re heading out for the day, take a messenger bag with you that’s covered in patches and badges consisting of your favorite bands to give off the ultimate scene impression.
Makeup Tips for Emo Girls
In general, emo girls have more freedom with their makeup choices than their male counterparts. Dramatic eyes and dark or pale lips are the hallmarks of an emo girl’s makeup look, but metallic colors or outlandish accentuation can go along with the emo aesthetic. Use makeup as an expression of your creative side.
Getting the Emo Look
Emo fashion for teens is a fun way of showing off your music interests and personality. Simply experiment with different aspects of this style movement to find out what works for you. Regardless of the look you decide to go for, one thing’s for sure, you’re guaranteed to turn heads.
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