The number one goal of scene fashion is to call attention to the wearer, and neon colors are worn to that end. Scene also takes a lot of cues from anime influences, further pushing their over-the-top and colorful fashion sense. A zip-hoodie in a dark color is a crucial clothing item in emo fashion. The hoodie can be plain or be covered in icons characteristic of the emo culture, such as bleeding hearts, skulls, ribs, stars, and broken hearts. Scene fashion also champions hoodies, but they will generally be paired with neon drainpipe jeans. [4] X Research source Cartoon- and animal-printed hoodies are especially popular. [5] X Expert Source Regina DunnGoth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. Scene fashion also includes cartoon- and animal-printed shirts, tutus, mismatched socks, mismatched leggings, and graphic band shirts. [6] X Expert Source Regina DunnGoth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
Emo hair is often dyed black, with stripes of color (usually bleached blond or blue) sometimes added in, and very straight. Emo silhouettes are thin, smooth and flat, occasionally featuring sharp angles and asymmetry. It is popular for the hair in front to be long, while the hair in the back is short. Scene hairstyles are exaggerated versions of the emo look, often dyed in a rainbow of neon colors, and backcombed to be bigger and fluffier. [8] X Research source [9] X Expert Source Regina DunnGoth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. Hair extensions in bright colors or animal prints are prevalent, especially among scene girls. [10] X Research source Scene hairstyles often include choppy, layered, and teased hair, along with extensions and tiaras. [11] X Expert Source Regina DunnGoth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
This nerd style undercurrent is not present in scene fashion at all. The popular choices in scene eyewear are brightly colored sunglasses with very large frames, sometimes referred to as party sunglasses or party shades. [13] X Research source
Scene, on the other hand, is usually viewed as a fashion trend or stylistic choice. Because of emo’s powerful link to music, tight-fitting t-shirts featuring bands and band names are one of the most commonly seen clothing articles in emo fashion.
Tattoos are popular in emo circles, with less emphasis on piercings. Tattoos of stars are considered emo, as well as “sleeves” (full arm tattoos that stop at the wrists).
The typical emo sound is dramatic in its emotional range and often features a dynamic of alternating loud/soft extremes. It tends to emphasize emotion rather than socializing and partying. Fast, punk-derived drum beats and heavily distorted guitars are common elements in the emo sound. [14] X Research source
Later emo musicians developed a slightly softer, more mainstream sound, but the lyrical content remained just as brooding and contemplative. Scene music does not put any particular emphasis on lyrical content and doesn’t feature the inward-looking, thoughtful vibe that is characteristic of emo.
Some of the flagship bands in emo culture, both past and present, are: Rites of Spring, Embrace, Moss Icon, Drive Like Jehu, Fugazi, Jawbreaker, Sunny Day Real Estate, Dashboard Confessional, Jimmy Eat World, Get Up Kids, The Promise Ring, Brand New, My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy. [16] X Research source Scene band names to look out for are Blood on the Dancefloor, Owl City, Dot Dot Curve, Brokencyde, Scene Kidz, Millionaires, Jeffree Star and Hollywood Undead. Scene music also features a lot artists from electro-pop, dance-pop, dubstep, and house/techno genres. Names to recognize are Skrillex, Knife Party, and deadmau5. Occasionally, mainstream pop stars like Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj are also embraced by the scene subculture. Scene music also includes genres like crunkcore, metalcore, post-hardcore, and hip-hop/trap. [17] X Expert Source Regina DunnGoth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
By contrast, emo culture is far more introverted. A social media presence is common, but the sharing isn’t excessive and friends and followers are usually obtained through connections through music and shared interests in particular bands. Online communities are frequently created by those of the emo culture, and they often use the internet to seek out other emos that they can connect to. [18] X Research source Emo posts and status updates are often cryptic and emotional. [19] X Research source Quoting song lyrics as a way to explain to the world how you feel inside is a common emo characteristic. Members of the emo community might use slang, spell words correctly, and style their usernames on social media a certain way. For instance, some users put “xX” at the beginning and end of their usernames. [20] X Expert Source Regina DunnGoth Subculture Enthusiast Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
While the emo subculture in no way condemns androgyny, there is no emphasis on it at all. In fact, in the past emo has been criticized for being incredibly male-centric. This criticism is debatable, as all criticisms are, but the members of emo bands are predominantly male. However, there is no gender dominance among the fans of emo music, which appears to be enjoyed by all equally.
Scene culture focuses on fashion and socializing and, generally speaking, its members are more outgoing and friendlier than those of the emo culture. There is no particular emphasis placed on emotions in scene culture. [22] X Research source Emo culture is sometimes criticized for promoting self-harm, suicide, and death in general. This is exaggerated and largely incorrect. Emo culture’s emphasis on emotion is often misinterpreted negatively by those outside of the culture.
Emphasis is placed on visual communication and experimentation in scene culture. Emo culture, on the other hand, finds self-expression mostly through music, and to a lesser extent, other types of art.
