Subcultures known for their daring, rebellious looks, such as grunge, goth and punk are the origins of alternative (alt) fashion.
Many young people are wearing these styles again, but it’s still unclear if alt fashion is genuinely returning or if it’s just another fast fashion trend. Fast fashion refers to clothing that is rapidly produced to match the latest trends, often at low prices.
Students and young people are largely wearing this comeback, though it’s unclear if they respect the original meanings or just soak up the aesthetic value.
Today’s youth gravitate toward bold, subcultural outfits that often blend vivid shades, baggy clothing and unique accessories. Pop culture and social media have increased the exposure of these trends, which has made it easier for young people to access and follow them.
On the other hand, some enjoy wearing alt fashion as a popular style without fully understanding its true meaning, while others are genuinely embracing its essence.
“Alt fashion means to me anything that’s not conforming to society’s standards of conventional, so anything that’s different & unique,” Josephine Alekson, an animation major, said.
Bastian Morris, a mass communications and journalism major, felt alt clothing held deeper meanings beyond fashion and trends.
“I feel like it’s a sign of individualism. It’s kind of like a form of signaling, like, this is what I like, this is who I am, this is what I represent, and this is where I’m going to go in my life,” Morris said.
Alt fashion had roots in social and political movements like self-expression and rebellion. Many young people today wear these fashions without knowing this history. This makes one wonder if knowing the history matters or if it is enjoyable just to wear the aesthetic.
“I think the history is important to an extent. I don’t feel like it should be a deciding factor in how you’re going to go about styling. Fashion has changed just like music, theater and film. We need to look at what was there before but also expand on it and make it our own,” Morris said.
Could alt style be losing its meaning due to fast fashion? Alt clothing such as band T-shirts and leather jackets have become less unique due to new widespread availability. This leads to conflict between fashion as a means of individual expression and mass consumerism, which lessens the original value.
“Mass production, kind of losing their individualism in what they’re wearing… you lose that potential to go out and explore what you’re really about, what you really enjoy,” Alekson said.
Focusing on what one likes, rather than focusing on what’s trending seems to carry the most value, over fast fashion.
Balancing the effort of creating an outfit, understanding its history and embracing the ease of fast fashion can be difficult.
Some young adults spend time exploring the subcultures that influence their fashion choices, while others freely experiment with fashions, overlooking their roots.
The underlying significance of alt fashion may be fading as it makes a comeback, and many people might have no idea about the subcultures they are reflecting.
This raises the question: is it important for young people to show their individuality through fashion even if they are unaware of its origins?
