A trend forecaster has revealed how the mid-noughties trend of indie sleaze is set for a return, with the likes of proactive advertising, outdated technology and lengthy nonsensical Tumblr-style quotes set to take over Instagram feeds, the high street and catwalks.
The aesthetic - which sees people dress in a sexed up version of the classic 'indie' style - is largely associated with the first series of Skins in the UK, while internationally it's been linked to MySpace, and the early days of Tumblr and photographers Terry Richardson and Cobra Snake.
Mandy Lee, a trend cycle analyst from New York, said there's an 'obscene amount of evidence' that the style is coming back.
It's already been seen in advertising, with Megan Fox and Kourtney Kardashian breaking the internet last month with a very provocative shoot for Kourtney's sister Kim's brand Skims.
The images saw the underwear clad pair pressing against each other while holding an apple between their mouths. More recently, Kim also launched a collaboration with Fendi where she posed in sheer underwear.
The adverts will remind many of the sexually-charged billboards which were popular in the early 2010s. US brand American Apparel had dozens of adverts banned in the UK and US in that time period as they were branded'gratuitous' by the ASA.
Pictures showed models posing topless or bottomless with provocative captions - focusing on their bodies not the clothes they were selling. One image to advertise a body suit read 'now open' showing the model's leg spread. Another showed a topless South Asian model pose in jeans with the caption 'Made in Bangladesh' covering her modesty.
Popular culture expert Nick Ede told FEMAIL the over sexualised styles which were once popular on VICE media owned i-D magazine and famed by photographer John Rankin Waddell are now 'carefully curated pieces of fashion' set to become a mainstream trend.
A trend forecaster has revealed how the mid-noughties trend of indie sleaze is set for a return, with the likes of proactive advertising, outdated technology and lengthy nonsensical Tumblr-style quotes set to take over Instagram feeds and catwalks.It's already been seen in advertising, with Megan Fox and Kourtney Kardashian breaking the internet last month with a very provocative shoot for Kourtney's sister Kim's brand Skims.
More recently, Kim also launched a collaboration with Fendi where she posed in sheer underwear
Pictures showed models posing topless or bottomless with provocative captions - focusing on their bodies not the clothes they were selling
Banned ads: The company has come under fire in the past for sexualised models who look underage
'The resurgence if indie sleaze has started to filter from the parameters of peoples memories to now a full on trend,' the expert explained.
'Taking the details of Y2K fashion and making it relevant for Gen Z is a really clever way of creating retro style modern visuals and creditability,' he went on.
'The over sexualised styles that scream of old i-D mags and Rankin shoots are now carefully curated pieces of fashion styling and brand association.
'With Megan Fox and Kourtney Kardashian causing a storm on the red carpets with their partners creating indie sleaze looks it's a trend that will only become increasingly more popular in the next few months.
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The hyper-sexualised trend also ties into a new phenomenon dubbed 'Horny Girl Autumn' which has taken over Hollywood's elite and seen A-listers pose in barely there 'naked dresses' and PVC - while also engaging in very raunchy PDAs
But it's not just people showing their sexed-up side that is part of the indie sleaze movement.
After almost two years of lockdowns and no nightlife, young people are also returning to nightclubs with opulent displays of clubbing that was popular with the indie set of the mid aughts.
In July, revellers were given the long-awaited green light to party in a night described by some as 'feeling like New Year', eager party-goers across England piled onto dance floors of venues including Fabric,E1, Ministry of Sound and Egg nightclubs in London,Pryzm in Brighton,Powerhouse Night Club in Newcastle andMoon Acre in Dorset re-opened on the stroke of midnight - the very second that most legal restrictions on social contact were removed.
@oldloserinbrooklyn Trend forecast: indie sleaze revival #trendcycle #nostalgia #tumblrfashion #indiekid
♬ Sex and the City (Main Theme) - TV Sounds Unlimited
After almost two years of lockdowns and no nightlife, young people are also returning to nightclubs with opulent displays of clubbing. Revellers are pictured in a queue in Newcastle this summer
Friends in real life! The cast of Skins were often pictured partying off-screen too. Left to right: Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Larissa Wilson, Joseph Dempsie, Daniel Kaluuya, Dev Patel and Nicholas Hoult
The aesthetic - which sees people dress in a sexed up version of the classic 'indie' style - is largely associated with the first series of Skins in the UK. April Pearson is pictured as Michelle in the teen drama, which ran from 2007 and 2013
Laya Lewis is pictured asLiv Malone in Skins. The show was famed for its sex-scenes, drug taking and indie style
TV history:Kaya is best known for her role as Effy Stonem in Channel 4 series Skins
Mike Bailey (Sid) and April Pearson (Michelle) are pictured in the first series of Skins which was famed for its club-kid counter culture
Authentic: Skins ran for seven series and followed the lives of a group of teenagers in Bristol
And pictures soon followed, with scantily-clad young people posing up a storm as they let their hair down for the first time in months.
The images could be right out of an episode of Skins, the cult teen drama that aired from 2007 to 2013 which focused on college students in Bristol drinking, drug-taking and having sex.
Another key trend making a return from the era is outdated technology, with Bella Hadid being spotted dozens of times in wired headphones stepping away from airpods.
In December, Vogue said the supermodel wasbringing back the wire headphone after being photographed using a pair - while now headphones with a wire are outdated, in the 2010s in was seen as the ultimate hipster thing to do to bring a typewriter to a cafe instead of a latpop.
Trend forecaster Mandy Lee went viral this week after sharing a TikTok video about the return of indie sleaze.
'There is an obscene amount of evidence that the indie sleaze tumbler aesthetics is coming back, we need to talk about it,' she explained in a video which has been viewed more than a million times.
Another key trend making a return from the era is outdated technology, with Bella Hadid being spotted dozens of times in wired headphones stepping away from airpods
In the late noughties and early 2010s people brought typewriters to coffee shops as the ultimate hipster move
'Indie sleaze took off in the early 2000s. So following the 20 year trend cycle this isn't too far off.
'Some key characteristics from this trend were provocative advertisements amateur style flash photography and opulent displays of clubbing (bonus points for watermark photography).
Last week Megan Fox joined her boyfriend Machine Gun Kelly for a shoot for British GQ, where she posed naked in nothing but a pistol holder.
Sharing an image of the cover to Instagram, Megan wrote: 'the tale of two outcasts and star crossed lovers caught in the throes of a torrid, solar flare of a romance featuring: feverish obsession guns addiction shamans lots of blood general mayhem therapy tantric night terrors binding rituals chakra sound baths psychedelic hallucinations organic smoothies and the kind of sex that would make Lucifer clutch his rosary'.
Referring to the post, Mandy went on: 'If you read Megan Fox's nonsensical Instagram caption it reads like it was straight from a Tumblr quote.
Last week Megan Fox joined her boyfriend Machine Gun Kelly for a shoot for British GQ, where she posed naked in nothing but a pistol holder
Referring to the post, Mandy went on: 'If you read Megan Fox's nonsensical Instagram caption it reads like it was straight from a Tumblr quote
The hyper-sexualised trend also ties into a new phenomenon dubbed 'Horny Girl Autumn' which has taken over Hollywood's elite and seen A-listers pose in barely there 'naked dresses' and PVC. Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly, Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker are pictured at the VMAs
Travis Barker was share a snap passionately kissing his fiancé Kourtney Kardashian in a photoset that he uploaded to commemorate her 42nd birthday
Kesha's debut TikTok was released at the height of Indie Sleaze - like many of the era she had smudged eyeliner
'Also the rise in outdated technology back then it was typewriters and Polaroid this time around, it's wired headphones and phone cases that mimic outdated technology.
'Mash-ups were really huge during indie sleaze and TikTok has single handily brought bad mashups into mainstream culture.
'The same way we saw Y2K and bling styles absolutely take over the last couple years pendulum will swing back to indie sleaze hipster in the next couple of years as someone who lived through it the first time around. I'm excited'.
Instagram account @indiesleaze, which 'documents the decadence of mid-late aughts and the indie sleaze party scene that [ended] in 2012' shares dozens of pictures everyday of people in the mid to late aughts rocking the trend.
One photographer connected with the era is Mark Hunter - also known as the cobra snake - who took dozens of A-listers photos in an amateur 'flash' style at house parties of the late 2000s.
This was reflected by many on an individual level, who would take a digital camera to a night club and upload hundreds of pictures online afterwards.
In one post, the account writes, 'The Cobrasnake's photos were Instagram before there was Instagram, capturing candids of celebs off-duty at the after party' accompanied by snaps of Katy Perry, Kesha, Lindsay Lohan and Steve Aoki.
It's one of the latest Y2K trends making a comeback.
This year teenagers who were children in 2014 have shared they are already nostalgic for the era and are taking toTikTok for praise their love for the fashion, music and style of the 2010s.
The bizarre trend sees teenagers playing music from the era, with hits from Lana Del Ray, Five Seconds of Summer, Arctic Monkeys and One Direction among the big hitters.
Seven years ago may feel like yesterday for many, but teenagers who were children in 2014 are already nostalgic for the era and are taking to TikTok for praise their love for the fashion, music and style of the 2010s. Pictured: A TikTok users tribute to 2014
In dozens of clips, Gen Zers show videos and pictures of styles and images from the time including thigh high socks, tennis skirts, ripped tights and over-saturated photos - as was also popular during indie sleaze.
Some are also dressing up in the trends with matte lipstick, American Apparel clothes and posing with cigarettes and multicoloured Starbucks drinks.
Those in their mid-twenties have also joined the trend, with many reactivating their Tumblr profiles to show what they wore as teens, while others have joked the era shouldn't be romanticised as they cringe at their own fashion choices from the era.
Many have pointed to the social networking site Tumblr -'and cult of Tumblr girls' - to glorify the aesthetic - with#2014tumblr racking up more than 47 million views on TikTok, while #2014 has more than five million views and #2014aesthetic has a further 1.5 million.
The term Tumblr girls refers to women who often became 'famous' on the website - and usually considered attractive and interested in fashion, particularity hipster and alternative dressing.
They were characterised by posting many photographs of themselves, and having a grungy look.
The rise of indie sleaze is part of a wider trend for seriously sexed-up pieces post-lockdown, with ultra-slashed dresses, bustier tops, sheer 'naked' dresses and low-rise jeans with exposed thongs all on the rise.
FAQs
What is the indie sleaze trend? ›
Indie sleaze was a fashion aesthetic popular in the United States and United Kingdom from approximately 2006 to 2012. Often called equivalent to the hipster, indie sleaze has been described by some as an optimistic response to the Great Recession.
Is indie sleaze coming back? ›As happens with every movement, the culture moved on. But as Gen Z begins to adopt Y2K aesthetics, indie sleaze has returned. From the beginning of 2022, numerous trend pieces prophesied that this year would mark a comeback.
Is indie sleaze The new Y2K? ›Kleigh is a Filipina journalist based in New York City. She is the co-founder and editor of online literary magazine, Kindergarten Mag. The beauty trend cycle is moving quicker than ever, thanks to TikTok.
What came after indie sleaze? ›The ever present “casual Instagram” movement embraces the unreserved nature often associated with indie sleaze. While fashion revival is only part of the trend, the technology, attitudes and culture make up the rest.
Is indie fashion coming back? ›The hipster aesthetic, now dubbed “indie sleaze,” has been tapped for a comeback. Trend cycles have sped up to such a degree that the vanguard cool kids are now idolizing a time that was barely 10 years in the past.
What makes someone a sleaze? ›morally bad and low in quality, but trying to attract people by a showy appearance or false manner: He's a sleazy politician who ignored his responsibilities in order to make his friends rich.
Is indie kid Alt? ›Related aesthetics
Indie Kid centers around bright colors, 2000s-style fashion and a skater lifestyle. It rose to fame in 2020 through the app TikTok. This resurgence differs from the original Indie style which did not include such bright colors and was considered more "alternative" by today's standards.
Y2K aesthetic has a slightly retro edge but with a futuristic touch that includes shiny materials, chunky sneakers, pleated skirts, baguette bags, wide-leg jeans, and colorful sunglasses.
What is the twee aesthetic? ›The term twee, as defined by Miriam-Webster, means "affectedly or excessively dainty, delicate, cute, or quaint." Pieces like mini skirts, dresses, Peter Pan collars, bright tights, Mary Jane shoes, loafers, ballet flats and cardigans are all at the foundation of the style, Dina Scherer, wardrobe stylist and owner of ...
What is the 2000's aesthetic called? ›The Y2K aesthetic is an aesthetic that was prevalent in popular culture from the late 1990s to early 2000s. It comprises futuristic design, synthetic tunes in music, distinctive hardware design, encapsulating fashion with fur and plastic, and cyber-inspired movies and video games.
Who is the biggest indie artist? ›
- The Smiths. 3,091,768 listeners. ...
- The Killers. 5,244,881 listeners. ...
- Florence + the Machine. 3,024,057 listeners. ...
- Arcade Fire. 2,955,843 listeners. ...
- The Neighbourhood. 2,002,810 listeners. ...
- Sufjan Stevens. 2,640,037 listeners. ...
- Imagine Dragons. 2,656,665 listeners. ...
- The 1975. 1,570,042 listeners.
- Bleachers. 665,120 listeners. ...
- Los Campesinos! 680,411 listeners. ...
- FINNEAS. 583,188 listeners. ...
- Soccer Mommy. 487,965 listeners. ...
- Camera Obscura. 904,230 listeners. ...
- boy pablo. 557,745 listeners. ...
- Maggie Rogers. 528,735 listeners. ...
- King Princess. 578,106 listeners.
Mainstream popularity: Limited prior to the success of grunge and Britpop in the 1990s. Widespread since then, although many artists remain underground. Alternative rock (also called alternative music or simply alternative) is a genre of rock music that emerged in the 1980s and became widely popular in the 1990s.
What is trending now in fashion 2022? ›2022 is trending to go beyond basic sweaters in favor of crochet sets and styles, like ankle-long dresses, and crop tops work with wide-legged pants. “A knitwear set is something that has become a fashionable take on glam leisure,” she says of the alternative to the traditional jogging suit.
What Old trends are coming back? ›- Mom jeans – 90s. ...
- Round glasses – 20s. ...
- Corduroy – 70s. ...
- Chunky sneakers – 80s. ...
- White boots – 70s. ...
- Chokers – 90s. ...
- High waisted jeans – 80s. ...
- Silk scarves – 50s.
“Next in Fashion” rears its most problematic side during the critiquing segments of its two Black contestants, Kianga 'KiKi' Milele and Farai Simoyi-Agdebe. In the aforementioned suit challenge, the judges criticized Kiki and Farai's practical interpretation of a women's power suit.
What does looking sleezy mean? ›: lacking firmness of texture : flimsy. : carelessly made of inferior materials : shoddy. : marked by low character or quality. sleazy tabloids. : squalid, dilapidated.
What is a sleaze party? ›Follow. SLEAZE is a DC-based LGBTQ+ party from DJs Lemz and Keenan Orr blending dark disco, future techno, and everything in between. @ djlemz @keenanorrdc. www.eventbrite.com/e/sleaze-tickets-406955373477.
What is a Zazzy person? ›Adjective. zazzy (comparative zazzier, superlative zazziest) (slang) shiny or flashy quotations ▼
Was Billie Eilish an indie? ›Billie Eilish's music is classified within alternative pop, indie pop and electropop genres. Billie has been making music since her first debut single “Ocean Eyes” which was written and produced in 2015 by her brother Finneas.
How can I look more indie? ›
- Stay away from trends. ...
- Avoid fast fashion. ...
- Shop for vintage clothing. ...
- Add colors to your indie outfits. ...
- Put on original layers. ...
- Simplify your indie outfits. ...
- Wear well-fitting clothes. ...
- Show your best features.
Indie is an aesthetic based on individuality and independence. There are two camps of Indie, as the aesthetic underwent a modern resurgence in 2019-2020 labeled Indie Kid.
Are the 90s coming back 2022? ›In fact, lots of your current favorite trends were actually born in the '90s and you might not have even known it. 2022 staples like leather blazers, mom jeans, vest tops, and varsity jackets were faves for your parents' generation and now they can live in your closet, too.
What are Gen Z looking for in clothes? ›Gender-fluid clothing is also more popular among Gen Z
Interest in gender-fluid or neutral clothing has only increased as this generation has aged up. It's also interesting that some of the other top styles they're interested in, namely streetwear and loungewear, are very gender-neutral friendly.
While personal memory drives a love for '90s fashion among Millennials, for Gen Z, it's more an appeal of aesthetic tastes. The '90s represents a far-off fashionable fantasy depicted in film photos and polaroids for the younger generation, whereas the 2000s are a distant but recognizable reality.
What are the 3 aesthetics? ›The three aesthetic theories of art criticism are most commonly referred to as Imitationalism, Formalism, and Emotionalism.
What is Princesscore aesthetic? ›Princesscore is an aesthetic based on the life, fashion, and mannerisms of a princess. It is about the visual: looking like a princess, but also the behavior: being poised, educated and well-mannered, but most importantly, having all the qualities to take reign.
What are the top 5 aesthetics? ›Dermal fillers, microneedling, thread lifts, chemical peels and profhilo are amongst the top 5 most popular facial aesthetic treatments for the better version of ourselves.
Why is Gen Z obsessed with aesthetics? ›This is because Gen Z wants to see real people, not just models or actors who may or may not represent them. They want to see their friends and family members – the people they look up to – and they want those same faces at events where brands are present.
What is the future aesthetic called? ›Retrofuturism (adjective retrofuturistic or retrofuture) is a movement in the creative arts showing the influence of depictions of the future produced in an earlier era.
Who is the #1 independent rapper in the world? ›
Tech N9ne
The number one independent hip-hop artist of all time is Tech N9ne.
Top-selling artists worldwide as of 2022. Perhaps unsurprisingly, British rock band The Beatles are top of the list for best-selling artists worldwide, with 183 million units certified sales. Second is Garth Brooks with over 157 million units sales, followed by Elvis Presley with 139 million units.
What is the highest selling indie album of all time? ›The Offspring have performed over 1100 shows across the globe and sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. Their 1994 release Smash remains the highest-selling album of all-time on an independent label.
Who is the king of indie pop? ›Chris Robley: The “Stephen King of Indie-Pop”
Which is the No 1 pop group in the world? ›BTS also hold the record for the most consecutive weeks at number one, with 180.
What makes indie music unique? ›Indie music carries a DIY attitude. Without the capital of a major label, independent artists are left to design their own art, create and direct their own music videos, and promote themselves however they can. Many indie artists are passionate about creating a supportive DIY scene that cooperates and works together.
Who made the first indie song? ›The story of indie music as we know it begins with Buzzcocks' Spiral Scratch EP. First released in April 1977, this influential four-track 7” from the iconic Manchester pop-punk quartet is widely recognized as rock's first independently-funded and distributed disc.
Is alternative music becoming more popular? ›Alternative music has become popular due to the inclusivity it expresses. The audience has become more widely diverse with more minorities, as the music can give them an outlet to express their struggles.
What is the target audience for indie pop? ›The indie pop genre is generally targeted at audience members at the age of 16-22.
What does sleaze mean in slang? ›noun Slang. a contemptible or vulgar person. a shabby or slovenly person. a sleazy quality, character, or atmosphere; shoddiness; vulgarity. sleazy behavior, content, appearance, or the like.
What is sleaze disco? ›
"Sleaze" (or "Morning Music", as it was sometimes called) was the term for the slow disco stompers that got played in the wee hours, after 6am or so, when only the hardcore dancers were left.
What is Cheugy style? ›Minggu, 19 Jun 2022 18:00 WIB. Wikipedia describes Cheugy as an American neologism coined in 2013 as a pejorative description of lifestyle trends associated with the early 2010s and Millennials. Cheugy is an aesthetic described as the opposite of trendy or trying too hard.
Whats a Chuggie mean? ›Noun. chuggy (uncountable) (slang) chewing gum quotations ▼
How old is Sleazyworld? › What does Zazzy mean in slang? ›Adjective. zazzy (comparative zazzier, superlative zazziest) (slang) shiny or flashy quotations ▼
What does Hot Rod mean in slang? ›(colloquial, slang) To modify a vehicle for enhanced driving performance, top speed, and/or to accelerate faster. Are you going to hot rod [the vehicle] or leave it stock?
What does Skeezy really mean? ›slang. : morally or physically disgusting or repulsive : skeevy, sleazy. In Sleeping With Other Friends, Matthew has slicked hair parted to the side with a thin mustache. He looks like a skeezy guy that you wouldn't trust.
Where is rapper sleezy from? ›Sleazy, also known as SleazyWorld Go, has moved around quite a bit in his life — letting every place he's been to define his artistry in some way. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the now Los Angeles-based artist later moved to Kansas City where he spent a majority of his time growing up.
What is disco slang for? ›| Rank Abbr. | Meaning |
|---|---|
| DISCO | Dancer's Integrated Sonic Celebration Oscillator (gaming, World of Warcraft) |
“Sleazebag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleazebag.
What does push P mean? ›
What does pushing P mean? Pushing P (usually styled as pushin P or pushin' P) is a slang term that's most commonly used to roughly mean acting with integrity and style while maintaining and displaying one's success (similar to the meaning of the slang terms keeping it player and keeping it real).
What is the opposite of cheugy? ›Cheugy (/ˈtʃuːɡi/ CHOOG-ee) is an American neologism coined in 2013 (allegedly by zoomers) as a pejorative description of lifestyle trends associated with the early 2010s and millennials. This aesthetic has been described as "the opposite of trendy" or "trying too hard".
What do Gen Z say is cheugy? ›Cheugy: Gen Zs use the term to roast millennials for being 'basic' and uncool, and having old-fashioned aesthetics.