Indie sleaze and grunge aesthetics seem to be back from the dead in recent fashion and music trends as the predictable trend cycle makes another loop through time.
The early 2000s to 2010s were the era of the hipster, according to Harper’s Bazaar: faux authenticity, looking messy on purpose, bad flash photography, American Apparel, combat boots, ripped tights and Tumblr. The grip that black chokers had on people is unforgettable.
All of the trademarks of that era are right back on the explore page of Instagram and the For You page of TikTok.
Vogue’s Alex Kessler defines the aesthetic as “a messy amalgam of ’90s grunge and ’80s opulence with a slightly erotic undertone, topped off with an almost pretentious take on retro style.” There’s a certain disheveled organization of the look that makes it so recognizable – and desirable.
Usually, a trend cycle is dependent on whatever was ‘in’ 20 years ago. However, due to the speed and wasteful nature of fast fashion, this cycle has shrunk into a 10-year rotation instead, according to Forbes.
As Meryl Streep’s cerulean blue monologue in “The Devil Wears Prada” explained so eloquently, it still takes some time for high fashion trends to trickle into the mainstream eye.
There is no better example to use than the 2022 Met Gala after-party looks. Kourtney Kardashian’s corset mini dress, Kendall Jenner’s sheer black two-piece set and Bella Hadid’s open corset top and disheveled lace were all the talk of Elle in May. Now, these “high fashion” pieces are all over campus in personalized variations.
With new releases in music that echo the dissonant tones of 2000s grunge hits, the revival can be heard as well as it is seen. The 1975 released their most recent album, “Being Funny In A Foreign Language,” on Oct. 14.
The band’s cult following has proved to be just as faithful since the debut album, “The 1975,” dropped in 2013. This time around, the music tastes like nostalgia.
Sydnee Newsome, a junior Media and Entertainment major at Kennesaw State, helped weigh in on the recognition of the trend in music over recent months. Newsome plays the bass guitar and noted that the genre grew her interest in her musical passion.
“I think definitely one of the leading trademark characteristics of this aesthetic is the somber lyrics yet upbeat music,” Newsome said. She cited artists like The Neighbourhood, The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys for their heavy influence in the genre.
Artists that have not dabbled in grunge are joining the movement too. Taylor Swift, recognizable country and pop icon, rings all the same bells on the “Midnights” album cover. Slightly blurred and out of focus, Swift poses with an open lighter and expertly smudged eye makeup.
The music itself resonates with familiar themes such as angry love and party culture. The album even features indie icon Lana Del Rey, who released the poignant albums “Born to Die,” “Ultraviolence” and “Lust for Life.”
Just because the look is back as a result of fast fashion does not mean it needs to be continued through those means. Indie sleaze has always been about seeking imperfections and sticking to ‘the fringe.’
Sustainable fashion has been a long-time practice of the aesthetic before Depop took the reins as a peer-to-peer resale app. Shopping secondhand and altering clothes to match personal aesthetics are recommended by Vogue to get in on the environmentally friendly side of the trend.
KSU students can just as easily participate in OwlSwap, a clothing swap program that provides students with gently-used apparel in a campus-wide sustainable fashion event.
