Emo fashion is a specific style movement inspired by the emo music of the early 2000s. The name comes from the emotional nature of this style of music, which was a mix of punk and rock, channeled by bands like My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, and Taking Back Sunday. A popular choice amongst teens who like to dress outside of the mainstream, adopting this style is easy once you know how to look emo.
Emo Style for Guys
To dress emo can also be classed as dressing "scene," relating to the fact that followers of emo music liked to keep up to date with the music scene. If you're a male, there are many ways you can use fashion to perfect your emo look.
Effortless Emo Kid
A closet staple when it comes to emo style, pair a band t-shirt with skinny jeans to achieve a cool, casual look. The tighter the pair of jeans, the better! In terms of accessories, finish this punk-inspired aesthetic with a multi-colored studded belt and beat-up Vans or Converse. If the weather is chilly, add an effortless layer in the form of a long white sleeved t-shirt under your band tee or a basic hoody over the top.
Dressed Up Emo
If you want to project a dressier image for a smart casual occasion with friends or family, you can stick to an all-black emo ensemble. If jeans are too casual, opt for dickies or cargo pants with a black fitted military jacket. Finish off this moody ensemble with a silver studded belt, combat boots, and a layered spike necklace or bracelet.
All About the Bangs
The best way guys can rock emo-style hair is through straight black locks with a huge side fringe. Whether it's short or choppy or grown out to your shoulders to match the rest of your mane, make sure it strategically covers one eye for the ultimate emo look.
Amp Up the Accessories
Made famous by influential band members such as Gerard Way and Pete Wentz, "guyliner" is a big part of the male emo style. This originally consisted of black pencil eyeliner on your waistline but has since developed to sometimes include liquid eyeliner above your upper lashes. Either way, be sure to wear your guyliner with an abundance of facial piercings to epitomize fun emo fashion.
Makeup Tips for Emo Guys
Emo is not the same as goth, so while some goth guys slather on the white foundation, dark eye makeup, and dark red or black lipstick, it's not necessarily an emo look. Emo guys should try out these items to see if they can pull together the look they want, playing with various looks to achieve something unique:
- Dark eyeliner is a must for emo guys who wear makeup, as is dark eyeshadow. It really is all about the eye makeup for emo guys.
- Foundation matching skin can conceal blemishes or other imperfections; liquid foundation is a good option for guys.
Emo Fashion for Girls
Female emo fashion is a little more varied and fun to experiment with. You can mix and match different elements to create bold, unique ensembles.
Casual Scene Girl
If you're feeling androgynous, you can copy male emo style through band t-shirts, skinny jeans, and studded belts. However, if you want to put a playful, feminine twist on a casual scene, opt for a plain tank top in a classic hue and a frilled ra-ra skirt with long striped socks or ripped pantyhose. To finish off this punk-inspired aesthetic, wear Converse on your feet and multi-colored beads necklaces around your neck and wrists.
Smart and Sassy
To dress up the female emo look for a smart casual occasion, you can stick with your skinny jeans and studded belt; however, swap your band tee for a white button-through shirt under a black tank top. You should also swap your Converse or Vans for cute ballet flats and add lace fingerless gloves to amp up the sass.
Color-Pop Your Hair
Emo fringes are just as much of a hair staple on girls as they are boys, but there's also another factor you need to consider: color. Essentially, the brighter your locks are, the better! Use vivid alternative colors, like blue, purple, and pink, to accent your hair for a quirky, individual look.
Accessorize Accordingly
Just like emo boys wear guyliner, emo girls wear smudged black eyeliner on their waterlines. However, female emo makeup is typically more dramatic, featuring black and gray smoky eyeshadow and feline-like liquid eyeliner along your upper lashes. For a fierce finish, combine your bold emo makeup with facial piercings. Furthermore, if you're heading out for the day, take a messenger bag with you that's covered in patches and badges consisting of your favorite bands to give off the ultimate scene impression.
Makeup Tips for Emo Girls
In general, emo girls have more freedom with their makeup choices than their male counterparts. Dramatic eyes and dark or pale lips are the hallmarks of an emo girl's makeup look, but metallic colors or outlandish accentuation can go along with the emo aesthetic. Use makeup as an expression of your creative side.
Getting the Emo Look
Emo fashion for teens is a fun way of showing off your music interests and personality. Simply experiment with different aspects of this style movement to find out what works for you. Regardless of the look you decide to go for, one thing's for sure, you're guaranteed to turn heads.
