It might be time to try out indie fashion
You may have seen them swaggering down the streets of Belmont: girls, barely standing under pounds of bauble jewlery and more layers than a wedding cake. And the guys? Well, they pretty much look like the girls. There’s a word for it: indie.
While originally the goal of indie was to express oneself by not letting mainstream culture dictate likes and dislikes, today this subculture has become merely a side culture, with movies and music and clothing being specifically targeted at this group. Two words: Urban Outfitters.
Because of this commercialization, there are certain clothes that can make you the next Seth Cohen.
But first, a glossary:
Indie: An abbreviation for the word “independent.” Describes anything that departs from the mainstream, especially movies, music and clothes.
Hipster: A sometimes-derogatory term used to describe people who follow indie trends.
Emo: Unmentionables.
Now that you know the lingo, it’s time to dress the part.
Crash course in hipster style:
- First and foremost, Chuck Taylors are out for true hipsters. You could wear them ironically — which is possibly more hip (just make sure people know it’s ironic). But lately high-top Nikes, Reeboks and Adidas have been in style. For girls or guys, these can be worn with a pair of skinny jeans — preferably black, because black jeans are just naturally more hip.
- A staple in indie clothing is pairing patterns or colors that absolutely do not go together. Why? It goes back to the original purpose of indie kids. No one else is doing it (for obvious reasons).
- If you don’t want to commit to clashing patterns, you can essentially make any outfit indie by getting the accents right. A non-utilitarian scarf or bandana around the neck almost instantly indie-fies any t-shirt jeans combo. Add a necklace (not a cross) or some bangles and you’re set.
- As far as hair goes, the less you do the better. You’re going for that just-rolled-out-of-bed-aftergoing-to-the-most-pretentiously-awesome-concert-ever vibe. Just don’t dye it black. That would be emo.
- For bags: The good news is that boys can carry them and it’s not even a “man purse” (put a couple of buttons on it to make sure). The bad news for girls is that you’re probably not going to be able to find them in a traditional store. You want your purse to be unique, so you might even want to make it out of laminated playing cards (just an idea). Other than that, just go for the weirdest patterns.
- For guys: A quick, automatic indie outfit is pairing a pretentious band t-shirt (meaning it can’t be Fall Out Boy or Kelly Clarkson) with a blazer and jeans.
- For girls: Layer, layer, layer. Put on as many pieces of clothing and accessories as possible. Basically you don’t want boys to be able to make out where your breasts are (a perk for the less-endowed). Then put on about five bracelets, two necklaces, and three rings—maybe an ankle bracelet.
If this is all too much, you could just shop at Urban Outfitters or look at the mannequins, which outline what you need to buy each season.
For more clothes and information on the hipster-lifestyle, click here.
| Print
Stay indie with our pretentiously lovable music blog. Or you can return home.
I hope this is supposed to be ironic otherwise I want to throw a textbook at your eye.
No.
April 30, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Kake, you’re giving away all of your secrets!
And I think disinterested stare counts as an accessory.
Sarah Hayden
May 1, 2007 at 12:24 am
Go read Thomas Pynchon and then kill yourself.
Andrew
May 1, 2007 at 12:43 am
What the fuck does Thomas Pynchon have to do with this?
Carlos
May 1, 2007 at 12:44 am
Guys she’s being ironic, right? Irony is totally indie and she’s being sooooo subtle and clever about it. Which makes her like the ultimate hipster! How meta.
Mia
May 1, 2007 at 2:15 pm
were you high when you came up with this?
jenny
May 6, 2007 at 1:29 am
i don’t get it..
j
May 6, 2007 at 2:57 pm
lord have mercy
jon
November 27, 2007 at 3:10 pm
What journalistic skills!
What research and observation!
I have never read an article exactly like this before! No, never!
Quick, someone give this woman a Pulitzer…
You might want to practice your “wit”.
Just a tip.
ahaha
November 27, 2007 at 3:13 pm
no offence
but americans cant be indie
sorry
you dont have the music or the looks talent wit or dress sense
leave it to the brits why dont you
kate
January 19, 2008 at 11:39 am
Hmmm even if americans aren’t quite as witty as the Brits, at least we’ve developed concepts such as dental hygeine an we aren’t all inbreeding.
And this article? Pathetic. The only thing I stand by is Urban Outfitters, and on that note, I think most people who shop there would be really really pissed about somebody telling everybody else about.
Cheyenne
April 22, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Is this a joke?
Banana
April 22, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Really?
Bob
April 22, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Well i liked the advice u gave i can picture in my head what these tips could do to some people… Amazing
Sean
July 2, 2008 at 7:11 am
Hahahahaaaa, you obviously don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. Seth Cohen isn’t Indie! He’s American for a start, Indie is a British trend. Nike high tops are NOT Indie, they are more gangster/hip-hop. If this was meant to be ironic, it wasn’t funny because you’re using all the wrong context. Epic fail.
Ed
January 30, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I agree, indie is british people! aussies are good at pulling it off as well but americans are left with the uniform trends!!
caroline
May 11, 2009 at 2:30 am
Although this article is poking fun, that is exactly how indie kids dress themselves.
I shop at Urban Outfitters and don’t consider myself “indie” or “hipster”. They just have great clothes.
Freya
August 12, 2009 at 1:16 am