Alt ≠ No Rules (And Now I'm Forced To Get A Job.)

Hi y'all I'm back! YES, I skipped a day because I thought nothing interesting happened and then I realized I did have things to talk about. I'll split it into two parts because I know if anyone clicks this blog it's probably only because I'm complaining about the misinformation in the alt community and its subcultures. 

Before I start talking, let me make it clear that I am not an expert on any of the subcultures I talk about. I wasn't born during the era/too young to understand what they were of the main two I'll be talking about (Gyaru and Scene). On top of that, A lot of the opinions and controversies I see about the subcultures are on TikTok. Please, if you want to be part of a subculture... TikTok should not be your main source of information. KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE JUST OPINIONS AND NOTHING YOU SHOULD TAKE TO HEART! Also guys I just started giving up like halfway through so my fault. 

PART 1: Are There Rules To Being Alt?

In my honest opinion, no. I don't think there are rules to being alt. Before anyone asks, "What about political beliefs?". I agree that that should be the only rule... but again, being a good person shouldn't be a requirement for anything. You should be a good person on your own, not just to dress differently. I also think that being alternative is a spectrum. There is no wrong or right way to dress alternative. It's just presenting yourself out of the norm. When it comes to subcultures, my opinion changes. A lot of people think that being in a subculture means no rules, which isn't true. Many subcultures have certain requirements. You need the music and political beliefs for Goth, you need the makeup for Gyaru, and you need the hair for Scene. No, I don't mean straightening. Styling. These obviously aren't all the subcultures, these are just the main three that are talked about the most. It's just so weird how many people like to twist things and make it seem like you can be any subculture without looking or acting the part. If I say I'm green, why would I paint myself blue? 

Two of the biggest victims of this are Gyaru and Scene. I'm going to get into scene first because that's the community I'm in. I'm sure most scene/scenemos have heard about scenecore/colorpuke. I have no problem with this substyle! What I do have a problem with is the few claiming they are scene. The main arguments in the community are the hair and clothing. Scene is known for the side part and teased hair. I won't lie, a lot of scenes back when it was created had straight hair or something similar to that. Some scenes argue that you must straighten your hair to be authentic. This claim, in my opinion, is wrong. Straightening your hair isn't always an easy thing. It can fry and kill your hair. People with tighter curls can't manage this on a daily basis (Compared to those with straighter hair.) Or simply, don't want to damage their hair. This doesn't mean you're forbidden from straightening your hair, It's your choice! Unfortunately, A lot of people use this excuse to keep POC out of the community. You shouldn't be forced to straighten your hair and tease it just to get the volume you naturally had. What I do think is required is the side part and shape. It's one of the most iconic things about the look. I know there are some scene creators with straight bangs, but they still have the volume and shape. (I'm lowkey losing motivation to finish this so i'm gonna end this part right here ughghghghgh)

 The second argument is the clothing. There's a back and forth between you can't wear baggy clothes or you can. Personally, it all depends on what era you're talking about. Swag scene uses baggy clothes from time to time. A lot of scenecore people don't really dress that way. I mean, they have no Balenciaga, no Supreme, no Rick Owens... I mean ugh. Y'all my brain is melting writing this oh my god someone free me from this. There's also a lot of people who have sensory issues, which is totally fine. A great creator (Junebug or @cigsnvalentines) gave amazing alterative to skinny jeans. People who dress colorpuke also tend to over accessorize. There are many scene queens who used Kandi to accessorize. I'm too lazy to remember what the freak I was going to say so I'm going to give my opinion on the whole colorpuke vs scene debate. Colorpuke is a valid substyle (Just like any other substyle minus tribal goth. . .) and this whole argument is a whole horrible back and forth game of telephone. NO, scene isn't just a simple style. Some people like to accessorize and that's totally fine. NO, scene isn't baggy clothing and pounds and pounds of hot topic merch. It won't kill you to wear shorts, skirts, leggings, and anything else that's tight or flared. NO, scene isn't a poser subculture. A poser subculture doesn't exist. There are INSPIRED subcultures, but no such thing as a poser one. This comes from a lot of Emos (Mainly male) calling any alternative women 'posers'. It was a big issue in the alternative scene. Using that claim today honestly feels rude. Y'all I just ate and now I'm tired af.

This other section is going to be short because I'm not in the Gyaru community. If you want more information on Gyaru, I'd totally recommend following and reading シドちゃん ☆ ♪ #1 gakupo fan!!'s Blog | SpaceHey . I'm not gyaru but I loveee reading through the blog. 

The amount of baby gals who talk about "Gyaru is a subculture based of rebellion!! I don't need to follow the rules" is ridiculous. Most of the time, the rules are just older gals giving helpful advice. What's even crazier is the fact there are SO MANY SUBSTYLES and yet people still want to call themself one substyle and not look the part. The biggest argument is the makeup. I've seen so many baby gals talk about how they want to wear the makeup but it's too heavy, or their parents won't let them, or God forbid... They don't want to be judged. Maybe... just maybe... don't be gyaru! Gyaru was made to rebel against the beauty standards in Japan. You were meant to be judged; you were meant to wear different makeup. That was the whole point. I think that's the stupidest argument ever. "I don't want to be judged! I don't want to be bullied!" You shouldn't care what other people think about how you are or how you dress. 

That's all for my stupid rant about alternative and no rules. Also, I'm so sorry it kinda went into a stupid rant I really want to go rant lmao.

ANYWAYS! My mom is forcing me to get a job (I wanted to get one myself y'all im joking) So wish me luck on that. I'm also going to the gym more everyone say yay!! I promise I'll get back on the life blog grind. I just think all this is stupid TikTok drama and telephone. UMM let me know what y'all think! OKAY kiss kiss hug hug I love you guys 

RIRI ♡