Anyone present on any form of social media in 2020-2022, would have experienced the spike in alternative fashion becoming trendy. This trend started from the “Turning into an E-Girl” trend, where the user would give themselves or someone else a more alternative leaning makeover. This trend continued to grow in popularity, and the fashion used in these TikTok’s became incredibly popular as well. During this same time period fast fashion sites such as Shein, Fashion Nova, and Aliexpress also became popular. The increase in traffic to these websites was partly due to the extensive amount of trendy clothes for any aesthetic and the jaw-droppingly low prices. As the ¨E-Girl¨ fashion continued to grow, these sites began to cater more and more towards the E-Girl style, continuing to increase in popularity. I´m all for creative expression, especially in fashion but there is a major issue with this trend. Alternative fashion has existed since the early 80´s, and has resurfaced again every few years. The difference this time is the same core alternative values had watered down, and completely lost. One of the main core values of any alternative subculture is DIY, and not supporting major exploitative corporations. When fast fashion companies, such as the ones previously mentioned, that not only are big corporations but exploit child labor and other unlawful work practices, it continues to not be alternative.
As alternative fashion continued to be a trend the community continued to become more and more watered down. I´m not often one to judge others for their choices, but with select communities such as the alternative communities, there are things that qualify you as alternative beyond fashion. Many alternative subcultures have their own guidelines per say of the community. For example some alternative subcultures, such as punk, share political views and ideas, and to be a punk you must share those same political beliefs. An example of this would be a upper class person, who buys clothes from large corporations, and is a Republican, would not at all be punk. Other alternative subcultures are solely music based, such as goth. No one is limiting anyone from expressing themselves through whatever style makes them comfortable, but certain labels won´t quality unless you align with the beliefs or lifestyles. While it may not seem important to share beliefs or same music taste to be part of an alternative subculture it all goes back to the roots of any alternative movement. All alternative subcultures were founded in some sort of rebellion, and if you don´t share those same rebellious ideologies, then what’s the point of presenting as an alternative person? I don’t think there’s a need for people to go out of their way to belittle others over it, by calling them a poser, faker, etc. I think the important part is educating others to uplift them instead of putting them down. Almost all communities are about uplifting each other and there´s no difference in alternative subcultures.
The alternative community has definitely bounced back from the darker days of 2021-2022. With more people understanding really what being alternative means. I think it’s amazing to see how styles that originated in the early to mid 80’s are still relevant today, carrying the same important beliefs.
