When it comes to modern alternative fashion, there is a pattern of basic similarities and influences.
It seems that regardless of the genre or a label we weirdos are attracted to the same general aesthetic.
We are all attracted to the badass and discarded looks no matter which weird group we chose to belong.
Some of the most notable influences include:
Visual and performance art: mostly film, comic and painting.
Personal attitudes: we wear stuff that show to the world our opinions toward individuality, various social constructions, consumerism, teddy bears….
Dress styles of other cultures: from Vikings to modern day Japanese street fashion
Celebrities: they are the trendsetters, for mainstream and alternative alike.
Vintage fashion: fallen from grace with general population, every style of bygone era has been revived and incorporated by new generations of weird creatures like ourselves.
And then, there is music! Various bands and musicians have influenced fashion in multiple ways. Who can forget the explosion of cargo pants in the early 00’s for which I blame Korn and Limp Bizkit.
There is a certain elitist feeling in belonging to a subculture! I will not deny that walking down the street and looking down on regular people for being so “conformist” isn’t a great feeling. It is like belonging to a special club of awesome!