Keep Alternative Subcultures Alive!

(Something I wrote for my english course)

Have you ever felt out of place in this world? There are people who have and try to find a community that they belong to with people have the same beliefs, same interests, same values, or same identities. Many communities in this world to bring people together who think alike for example alternative subcultures. Alternative is a umbrella term for groups such as emo, scene, goth, gyaru, punk and many more. Some of these alternative subcultures are divided into many subcategories. An example is goth, it has trad goth, romantic goth, pastel goth, cybergoth, deathrock goth, gothic lolita, and many more.

(Photo above is an example of victorian goth)

People may enter for different reasons but the main reason is the same nevertheless is that to embrace their differences and being proud of it! These people has these labels and values connected to them. Additionally, music is a part of the community and having an unique look too: distinctive clothing style, makeup, crazy hair, and body modification. Let's look at an example like gyaru. The subculture was born due to resist against harsh beauty standards of women in Japan so instead of dark hair, modest clothes, and pale skin many high schoolers and young women would have dyed hair, more revealing clothes, and tanned skin.

(Photo above is an example of agejo gyaru)

Unfortunately, these days alternative subcultures is starting to get watered down. Those within who claim to be in the subculture but spread hatred anything that is different goes against the ideology of the subculture you’re in. It's starting to be seen as just dressing up. People come in the subcultures just to look the part but don't care about the politics, ideals, or history. Fast fashion like Shien jump on the opportunity to make alternative clothing because the alternative subcultures are getting more recognization and seen as a "trend." It's a horrible choice when thrifting and DIY is a thing that people can do and making your own clothes has been apart of the subcultures history.

(Photo above is an example of emo)

I know people weren't born listening to knowing many underground music and black eyeliner as a baby. Of course people will be new to an alternative subculture they're interested in and want to genuinely try to learn everything they can; they are not harming the community. It's those who don't stand up for human rights for everyone and hate on anything that seem odd. In conclusion, alternative subcultures are important to gatekeep sometimes only if that's the case. Now....tag you're it! I would love to hear your feedback/blogs regarding to this topic!

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XxxSoftSorrowxxX

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I think what you wrote was really good!! Alternative subcultures have always thrived and existed in spaces where people are outcaste and treated different and so long as those people continue to stay active in their communities, they will always exist.

I find the phenomena of trends, especially ones online concerning fashion interesting because of the grey areas surrounding it. Even more so when it comes to specific fashion styles that aren't based in DIY and making your own outfits and accessories such as Punk or goth , which are. Many fashion styles such as Lolita , thrive on people from Lolita communities keeping expensive brands afloat, such as Baby the Stares Shine Bright and etc. Many Gyaru brands are also expensive and hard to get overseas as well and with these specific fashion styles often having "rules" or "etiquette" surrounding how to properly dress as Lolita or Gyaru ,that can lead to new members running to Shein or other overseas 3rd party sellers to find fashion that fits the style and inadvertently watering it down when they ditch those communities after realizing that those fashion styles are also an entire lifestyle , with specific political beliefs and lifestyle changes attached.

All alternative fashion styles have history of being Diy-ed or hand made at some point, but as the styles become more popular, companies started to make clothing specific to those communities which made them more affordable and accessible, but also less unique to the individual. And because these companies are pushing their clothes for profit the meaning and movement behind the original fashion styles become lost or purposely ignored in order to be more palatable to the masses.

Thats not to say that mass made clothing is evil, because most if not all clothing was or is mass made. Even a lot of vintage clothing was and now a lot of vintage clothing that was mass produced in the past is worth a lot currently. But the way social media pushes fashion and micro trend after micro trend, with companies following suit to make a quick buck off of those trends , does a lot of harm. You also have to keep in mind the ages of the people who are consuming these trends as well as their financial limits. Many of the fashion trends made online and pushed towards teens and young children are specifically made to catch their attention and make them spend their money, by big brands and influencers who rely on these trends to stay relevant , get brand deals and make money.

I think there's a middle ground between being unique and authentic, but also using what you have available to u , even at cooperates store like ur local Walmart or whatever.

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