Fashion Focus: Alt Core

If fashion were an unhappy boomer couple and they had a rebellious middle child, it would absolutely be the skater–punk–emo trifecta. This is a style universe built on personality, passion, and the freedom to look a little messy on purpose. I still remember the first time I asked my mom and dad for a new pair of jeans that were already shredded with holes in the knees. They were furious. Why in the hell would you PAY for clothes that look like….that?! They couldn’t even describe it. Needless to say, their shock and resistance only emboldened me like most other teens that didn’t want to be the dreaded “normie.” Now, as an adult my parents still chuckle at some of my clothing choices. But dad still asks if its okay so wear a patterned tie and mom wants my opinion on her new shoes. Oh how the tables turn. Am I fully a part of the alternative subculture? I’ve never been fully confident in the answer. But the Alt Core vibes? I love them, I feel them. Honestly? It’s never been more fun to literally wear your attitude on your sleeve.

Remember when you were in school and there were always those two or three dudes that always smelled like a mixture of high fructose corn syrup and hot chips? Well, at least those were the skater kids in my high school. Man, those dudes were 70% Sprunk and high on Ninja Straws. Nice guys. And if they actually showered they might have been decent to hang around. Now as an adult, I still think the skater style looks effortlessly cool. Oversized tees, baggy jeans, checkerboard anything, and sneakers that always look a little scuffed up. But it’s all part of the charm. The look says, “I might have a skateboard with me… or I might have just wanted an excuse to wear comfy pants.” Either way, it works. Do I own a skateboard? No. Did I listen to Avril Lavigne on repeat? Yes. And I’m stoked to have these pieces in the city.

So what comes next is stomping its way in with combat boots and more metal than a hardware store. Punk fashion stemmed from the rebels of the 70s, intent on disrupting mainstream materialistic culture and society. Ripped denim, studs, safety pins, leather jackets and all DIY spirit. Punk fashion is basically a wearable protest sign. It’s loud and unapologetic. Every ripped seam tells a story, and every patch is a shout from the rooftops: I dress for me. The tartan and politically charged slogans that decorate any staple leather jacket, backpack, or maybe even whatever exposed skin that’s available was solely worn to offend and challenge authority. Punk was often seen as rebellion for the sake of being contrary when in reality, it’s there to challenge our minds and evoke compassion. Pretty sick if you ask me. Sick in the cool way, obviously.

And finally, emo fashion, the dramatic poet of the group. Layered tops, dark eyeliner, skinny jeans, striped arm warmers, band tees that have been washed into softness to the point of disrepair. Emo style is moody in the best way. It’s heartfelt, expressive, and surprisingly intentional. I’ll never forget the day one of my baby cousins looked at me in my fishnets and converse and said, “Ew. Why are you dressed emo?” Now I don’t make a habit of putting children in choke holds but can you blame me? “EW?!” The audacity of these children. Gerard Way walked so Billie Eilish could run. The Black Parade is a calling that we all answer. And as anyone who has met me very well knows, I tend to be a tad dramatic. Hence why this style also feels very personal to me.

What makes this trio so iconic is how beautifully they overlap. Maybe you’re a skater kid with a punk jacket and emo hair. Maybe you’re punk at heart but thrive in skater-level comfort. Maybe you’re emo on weekdays and full punk on weekends. The magic is in the mix. This chaotic, expressive corner of fashion isn’t about perfection but it’s about passion. It’s about choosing outfits that say, This is who I am today. Tomorrow might be different. And that’s the fun of it. Whether you’re lacing up battered Vans, spiking your hair, or throwing on a hoodie that has exactly one too many zippers, skater/punk/emo fashion gives you the freedom to break rules and look great while doing it. Because at the end of the day, style is an artform and that should make you feel something. Even if that something is just the urge to scream your favorite song lyrics into the void.

So which one is your favorite? Or like me, do you feel connected to a mix of all three and maybe more? Check out the photoshoot below and shoutout to my amazing models. We had fun as always. If you’re interested in modeling, leave your contact info at the front desk of the JBTV news building in Little Seoul. Post your fave punk/skater/emo looks on Life Invader with the hashtag #FashionFocus for a chance to be featured on the website. And remember kids, being a normie is lame and Alt style is not a phase. <3