Gina Speed
Admittedly, we are suckers for a trend. How fast does time fly when club-goers start sporting “indie sleaze”—a style that hails from a mere 15 years ago? Did hipsters go out of style and come back already without us realizing it? Entirely possible. (And whatever happened to Alice Glass?)
The Wolf Cut
Girls got us howling in our boots again. Not quite mullet, not quite shag, the wolf cut is a result of cropping the front half of hair short and leaving the rest long and shaggy. The disconnected layers turn up the volume in the front and dial it down in the back. If you can commit to anything, commit to your hairstyle.
Bring Paparazzi
If you didn’t get pictures, it didn’t happen. To accurately capture the indie sleaze look, be sure to use flash and overexpose your photos a bit. This mimics the on-site club photographer who can transform a grunge girl into a Courtney Love-level celebrity. Make sure you pick the right background and pretend like you didn’t want the photo taken while you show off your exquisite dark mani.
Layer on Leather
Look to 70s punk singers like Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, or Gaye Advert for style cues. Indie sleaze is a delicate balance of freestyling with fabric essentials like cotton, leather, and faux fur. Shorts and skirts should be micro while coats are best at mid-lengths. If you’re starting to feel too dressed up, it shouldn’t be anything an old pair of Converse can’t solve.
Indie Sleaze = Meow.
If you’re someone who worries about the staying power of trends, invest in an animal print faux fur coat. You will be able to work a cropped or mid-length faux fur coat in cheetah or leopard print with any style past or future. How can one item combine the power of glamour and sex appeal so adequately? Add a little back dress to dial up the glamour—fishnet tights to dial up the sex appeal.
Vintage American Apparel
If you are too young to remember American Apparel ads, think sport socks, bodysuits, and a budget. An indie sleaze staple, American Apparel did a terrific job offering affordable basics that were both provocative and body positive. The oversized graphic tee trend carries over here with the simple addition of boy briefs and/ or tights.
Winter Boots
Combat boots also aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Another good indie sleaze staple to invest in, Dr. Marten’s are comfortable, durable, and perfect for winter. Dr. Marten’s help dress a dress down and give the right punk rock attitude to an otherwise meek and meager little outfit. Feel free to take a pair of shears to an animal print dress to ensure your feet get some camera time.
Life in the Underground
As today’s youth progressively reject “alternate universes” and “new normals” they are heading down to the basements of club life as a way to experience music and art. The fashion of indie sleaze is a style statement that projects the rejection of virtual reality and perfectionism. Remember, flippant glamour and intentional/ unintentional sex appeal should always be less important than who someone is or the cool new things they’re doing.