I used to sell a lot of clothes that I consider "emo" on eBay, and every week I get several bidders who want to know "just what the heck is emo?" So, I decided to put this little website together that would help explain the fashion aspect of emo culture. However, I cannot adequately describe emo fashion without giving you at least a very short background on the musical genre commonly known as "emo". Here's my condensed and opiniated summary. And now, a disclaimer. Everyone has their own idea of what exactly "emo" is. Emo fashion can vary greatly from region to region, and throughout the years has changed considerably, yet there are some constants that will always remain. However, an important thing to remember about emo fashion is that it has its roots in an anti-fashion, anti-consumeristic subculture. That being said, a general rule I like to follow is "if it didn't come from a thrift store, it probably ain't emo." Click an image to bring up a big picture! Vintage t-shirts are probably the most recognizable "emo" fashion item around, especially on eBay. A proper emo shirt should be tight-fitting, show at least a little wear, and be at least 10 years old, if not older. A funny/ironic slogan is definitely a plus. Here are some excellent examples of the classic emo t-shirt.
Now, don't forget the ever important "ringer" shirt! These were quite popular in the late 70s, and there was a recent resurgence the past couple of years. Don't get fooled into buying a new ringer shirt, the trained emo eye should be able to quickly discern between the two.
A close cousin of the ringer is the jersey. Jerseys are often sports-related, and although emo kids are notoriously unathletic, they have no qualms with sporting (no pun intended, I swear) classic soccer and softball duds.
Looking for something a little nicer? Another standby is the polo shirt, and ESPECIALLY the striped polo. Its a universal clothing item, you can wear it to an emo concert, to church with your mom, or even out on a date, even though true emo kids are too shy to ever go out on dates.
The crown jewel of the striped polo line is the IZOD striped polo, sure to dazzle and amaze just about anyone! Regular old IZOD shirts are cool too, as are their competitors, such as LeTigre, Sears Dragon, and The Fox.
Western shirts are a nice touch as well, and if you can find ones with fancy embroidery, you're sure to rule the scene. However, a nice plaid number is fine and dandy too as long as it has cool pearly snaps.
What about when it gets cold out? Several options abound. A personal favorite is the work jacket. Look for a jacket with a removable liner, that way it can be worn all year.
Also popular is the classic down-filled winter coat. It better be an old one, and multiple colors are a plus.
And don't forget the old standby, the hooded sweatshirt, or "hoodie". This is required fashion.
Strangely, Members Only jackets have been making a bit of a comeback the past couple of years.
Its not a trend yet, but I'd be really happy if it catches on. I'm all about vests. Denim, leather, whatever. Vests are where its at, if you ask me!
Pants? You need those too. Shorts are a no-no, even in the hottest of weather. But pants, now that's another story. Ben Davis and Dickies work pants are tre' chic, just look for a tag like this. Suggested colors: black, brown, blue. Make sure they're too small. A good rule to follow is one eternalized by the band Emo Summer (and paraphrased from Bart Simpson's best friend Milhouse): "My Feet Are Wet, But My Cuffs Are Dry." More pictures coming soon, I swear.
Need something for your head? Look no farther than the classic trucker mesh cap. You can easily find a billion of these with all sorts of wacky slogans, beer logos, or even plain old blank ones. Or, how about a nice warm beanie?
What about the feet? You've got to cover them up somehow. I'd recommened two avenues. The Converse Chuck Taylor shoes are classic alterna-wear that span many generations and genres. They are officially approved emo shoe wear. BUT, keep in mind two major draws Converse used to have. They were made in the USA (they were one of a few shoe companies that did not use sweatshop labor to produce their shoes), and they were cheap. Those are also the two reasons the company went bankrupt and got bought out by some multinational corporation. So, their shoes are now no longer made in the USA, and no longer cheap. Quality has gone down, price has gone up. Those emo kids in the know only buy MADE IN THE USA Cons, which can be found on eBay for generally cheaper prices. Or, if you're sick of having the same shoes as everyone else, hook up with a pair of 70s/80s athletic shoes. These babies are all the rage, especially off-brands, because they had the coolest designs. Some hip well-known brands are Nike, Reebok, Saucony, New Balance and Adidas. You can find a billion el cheapo knockoffs that are way cooler though, AND the knockoffs are usually all manmade, no animal products to offend the vegans, same as the Converse.
Now, you're probably asking "what about women's fashion, huh Aldroid?" First off, a good chunk of emo fashion is non-gender specific. Males and females can be found wearing any of the above clothing, however, there are some fashion trends that are specifically emogirl related. Keep in mind I am hardly an authority on emogirl wear, so for now I will just give you one example of an absolutely amazing top:
OK, hope this helps. Feel free to email me with your emo fashion trend questions, and feel free to send me a bunch of hate mail about how stupid I am and stuff like that. And lastly, here are few links to some more emo things. How To Dress Emo - A nicely illustrated how-to guide, for boys and girls! What the heck *is* emo, anyway? - A good resource on the early days of emo music. Emo Summer - Emo nostalgia band. Idiomism - Art, music, nonsense, and Emo Summer merch. Morse Code Heartbeat - This band thinks they're metal, but they're really just emo. And some of the emo models above are in it. Indian Summer - Finally, you can download some Indian Summer on the internerd. |
