The phrase “alternative fashion” is often associated with styles that differ from mainstream trends. The phrase itself depicts fashion choices that are not only unique but constantly altered. Alternative fashion is typically linked to teenagers and young adults, although people of any age may participate in this style of dress. In the first decade of the 21st century, gothic and emo fashion are the most popular forms of alternative fashion, though grunge and rockabilly are also modes of alternative fashion. In fact, most any type of style can be considered alternative fashion to other people.
How do you dress alternative fashion?
If you love the idea of dressing in a simple alternative style, the first thing you need to do is decide what that term means to you. Wearing simple, alternative clothes can be fun and is good ways to express yourself. Some styles are complex and you might not feel they are for you. How you dress might be restricted by school or work policies, your parents, time limits and budget – a simple alternative look is very adaptable. This article will help you simplify down the alternative look, get started at step number one below.
Begin shopping for your new wardrobe if you want to. Check out high-street and mainstream stores such as Kohl’s, Gap, JC Penny, and even Macy’s to see if you can find anything that catches your eye. Make sure to always get the basics, and buy them good-quality so you don’t have to keep buying them again. Next, try some stores that are more in your style. Hot Topic has some good band tees and accessories, but be warned: many alternative people shop there, so you most likely won’t be “one-of-a-kind” unless it is very unpopular in your area. Zumiez, Journey’s, and even Claire’s all are good places to shop.
- Shop at thrift stores for old-fashioned, vintage, or cheaper clothing. Don’t be afraid to shop in unusual places or places that don’t look like they’d have any potential; it’s easy to miss a needle in a haystack.
Don’t forget to try shopping online! There are a lot of great websites that sell alternative accessories and clothing for fairly low prices, such as bluebanana.com, shanalogic.com, restyle.pl/, and shopplasticland.com. Be careful when shopping online; since you can’t try on clothes, you have to pay extra special attention to the sizing charts and what the material it is made of. One brand’s size large may be a medium in another brand.
Start trying on different outfits. Don’t be afraid to wear something you would think would never match; it may look really good. Have a friend who wears similar styles help you decide whether they look good or not. Some good examples would include:
- a ripped up tee, skinny jeans, any shoes
- a long-sleeve shirt, skirt, Doc Martens
- a simple tee, long skirt, “goth boots”
- plain tee, ripped up jeans, any shoes
- alternative dress, Doc Martens (depending on the style of the dress)
- tee with a vest, shorts, any shoes
- layers upon layers of different clothing
Be proud of your style. Don’t let anyone put you down no matter what they say. It’s your life and you should be able to do what you want.
Finish off the look with hair and makeup. While there is no typical alternative hairstyle, many people opt for thick, sweeping bangs over one eye, or a high ponytail with studded hair accessories. Alternative makeup is generally kept pretty simple and natural, with the exception of heavy eyeliner, smoky or cat eyes, and red lipstick. Still, these elements of your style are highly variable, so go with whatever you like best!
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