Alternative fashion is an endless collection of offbeat and unique aesthetic trends, so it’s difficult to narrow the best ones down. But considering the cultural impact of these albums brought up a few specific alt fashion moments. Here are three iconic rock albums and the corresponding fashion trend that best suits their singular sound.
‘Disintegration’ by The Cure
This is either the only correct answer, or way too easy, but The Cure’s 1989 album Disintegration represents goth fashion. Specifically, the traditional goth style that was popular when this album came out. Although, mall goth counts as well, it’s just not typically as well received.
The trad goth style of many The Cure fans was often more understated than some of the goth subcultures today. Mall goth aesthetic is often considered more interested in the fashion than the culture of traditional goth. As such, it’s more likely to suffer from overconsumption and commodification. In contrast, the 80s goth culture was more about the music and lifestyle. Fashion was important, but it was influenced by the music, instead of being the center of it all.
‘Weezer (Blue Album)’ by Weezer
When Weezer released their debut self-titled album in 1994, it would start a chain reaction that would eventually give rise to geek chic. As an aesthetic, geek chic was a product of the 2000s. But Weezer was one of the proponents of nerd rock in the 90s. Their image made it cool to be a nerd, which we could argue led to bands like Vampire Weekend. The articulate, nervy sound of 2000s indie rock can be directly linked to Weezer.
Geek chic was characterized by thick-framed glasses (real or not), school uniform-esque attire, preppy sweaters, and an overall academic influence. In a way, geek chic was the extravagant forebear of dark academia, simply trading its bright, whimsical elements for a more serious, melodramatic color palette.
‘Enema of the State’ by Blink-182
Blink-182’s 1999 album Enema of the State is the musical equivalent of a tuxedo t-shirt. A look for a formal event that says you’re still here to party. The adolescent humor of much of Blink’s early albums also works for a t-shirt and tie, which has a similar sartorial presence.
While the tuxedo t-shirt has become something of a nostalgic novelty, it should really be considered among the great fashion innovations. A tuxedo tee says everything it needs to with one look. It hides nothing, but paired with the right elements it can actually be quite elegant. It’s truly the mullet of formal wear. And the correct way to wear a tuxedo tee is with jorts and a sport coat, in case you were wondering.
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