Emo is a style of music that originated in Washington, D.C., in the 1980s and is a combination of pop punk and indie rock. The name “emo” is short for “emotional hardcore.” More than just music, emo is used to describe a particular fashion style popular with the emo subculture — typically teenagers. Emo fashion usually includes tight T-shirts, hoodies, skinny jeans, sneakers, punk accessories and specific hair and makeup styles.
Most emo outfits include a band T-shirt that is often wore tightly. The band has to be considered “cool,” which means it should be an emo band or a band that emo fashion followers think is ironic, such as Journey. The T-shirts are usually short-sleeved and paired with hoodies, another name for sweatshirt jackets. The hoodie should have the name of an emo band, skulls or stars on it or be in a plain, dark color. In emo fashion, hoodies are acceptable year round, no matter the climate.
One of the most important aspects of emo fashion is skinny jeans. These types of jeans are tight from the hips to the ankles, and males can wear girls’ jeans. The goal is that jeans should look painted to the legs, and they can be dark indigo, black or even bright colors, but never the color of regular blue jeans. Black Converse sneakers or skate shoes, such as Vans, are the common shoe choice in emo fashion. Females can wear black buckle shoes, but the main key is to wear simple, flat shoes.
Emo fashion includes many fashion accessories, such as fingerless gloves, studded bracelets, studded leather belts and backpacks or totes with emo band logos. Many people add pins to them. Males and females often wear thin, long and striped scarves to complete an outfit. Multiple ear piercings are part of the trend, and many males wear thick black horn-rimmed glasses, as well.
Hair is an integral part of emo fashion, and the main look is straightened, black hair with long bangs. The bangs usually are swept to the side and cover one or both eyes. Many people add blue, pink or bleached-blond chunky highlights to their hair. Both males and females usually wear black eyeliner in emo fashion, with males creating a smudged look and females wearing straight, clean lines on the top and bottom eyelids. Both sexes also sport black nail polish on chipped nails to compete the overall emo look.