Subcultures have always been a huge part of fashion and youth culture.
From the punks of the 70s (with their Sex Pistols t-shirts and Vivienne Westwood tartan) to the scene kids of the 2000s (with their bright blue hair and sweeping side fringes), subcultures hit a chord with (usually) young people who are exploring their identity and sense of style
In some ways, 2024 fashion subcultures are no different.
The year is in full swing and we’ve already seen several style tribes emerging, influenced by music, art, film, TV and culture.
In other ways, 2024 IS very different though.
Today’s style tribes are more niche. They come out of nowhere on TikTok, they’re usually a word+core and they don’t stick around for decades like they used to.
Now we don’t love trends, mainly because they encourage throwaway fashion. But, there are a few style tribes that we can identify with. And there are ways you can follow these trends without buying from any of our fast fashion enemies.
So, we’re going to fill you in.
TikTok's huge impact on fashion
Whether you’re on the platform or not, you can’t deny TikTok transformed the world of fashion and the way we follow trends. It’s had a much bigger impact than platforms before it, like Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
When a trend takes off on TikTok it usually comes out of nowhere. The trends are hard to predict and it’s almost impossible to pinpoint exactly where they came from.
Usually, someone will post something that others are interested in. If this post gets noticed by the algorithm, it’ll be shown to more people. Those people will then interact with it, add to it, create their own versions, and then suddenly that trend dominates the internet and mainstream culture..
So, let’s get into some of the subcultures that are shaping 2024.
The academia aesthetic
The academia aesthetic has brought us lit girls, dark academia and light academia.
Miu Miu’s last couple of runway shows might have kicked this one off. Models went down the catwalk in oversized blazers, specs, ballet flats and slouchy cardigans.
Followers on social media are adding to the trend with checkered coats, smart trousers, huge scarves and, of course, a literary classic underarm. Think Hermione Granger. Think the Dead Poets Society. Think Hugh Grant in Notting Hill.
For lovers of the lit girl look, we’ve got tweed blazers, smart tailoring and Versace reading glasses for the finishing touch.
The mob wife aesthetic
If you’ve not heard of this one, where have you been?
Even the director of The Godfather had something to say about the mob wife aesthetic, comparing it to Connie Corleone’s style, with the fur coats, oversized jewellery and red lipstick.
But it’s not just about the clothing. It’s about the accessories and attitude too.
How can you get the mob wife look?
Long red nails, perfectly coiffed hair, a (faux) fur coat or leather jacket, and plenty of sass. The mob wife aesthetic is nouveau riche, unapologetic and completely bad ass.
Give your wardrobe the mob wife look with a leather or Versace skirt and tights, with knee-high boots and a pair of OTT sunnies (preferably from a luxury fashion house like Prada or Bottega Veneta).
Gorpcore
Gorpcore really kicked off last year but it’s continuing into 2024.
Gorpcore is equal parts style and practicality. It’s an outdoorsy/hiking inspired aesthetic that’s functional but also cute. Gorpore is all about brands like Saloman, Arc’teryx and The North Face.
Props for wearing your Gorpcore fit up a mountain, in a forest or in the snow. But, being in the wild isn’t a prerequisite. Gorpocore is just as much a street style trend as it is a practical one.
Blokecore
Another one for the girls. This one is on a similar wave to Gorpcore but it’s heavily football-inspired.
Girlies are wearing football shirts, sporty tracksuit bottoms and knee-length denim shorts, styling them with feminine accessories to balance things out.
Remember Keira Knightly in Bend it Like Beckham? She’s the original Blokecore icon. Ahh, sweet nostalgia.
Pair baggy tracksuit bottoms (like this Puma pair) with a retro Man City football shirt and some adidas Sambas with little white socks and a cute scrunchie.
Britpop (the revival)
We know the 90s are in so it’s no surprise that Britpop fashion is back. Especially with Oasis announcing their new tour.
Britpop was born out of the 80s Madchester scene (more on Madchester here). Perpetrators like Bez from Happy Mondays and Remi from Stone Roses were big fans of baggy fashion, bucket hats and casual sportswear.
Flash forward to the mid-90s and the Gallagher brothers carried the torch with their Parka jackets, mod hair cuts and sportswear with the three stripes. And now, in 2024, we’re doing it all over again.
Seeing through the subcultures
Staying sustainable when following subculture style
Now, like we said earlier, we don’t tend to follow trends too much.
With so many people using social media platforms, like TikTok, these trends spread quickly. Then, once a fast-fashion house spots something they can jump on, they jump hard. They get new items in production quicker than you can say ‘are the 90s back in?’. And, before you know it, their sites are flooded with mom jeans and baby tees.
Then, once that trend has had its 5 minutes, they’re looking for the next one.
We prefer to take things slow. We want people to keep hold of their pieces for longer. But that doesn’t mean they can’t follow trends.
Just because you want to stay on trend, you don’t have to shop fast fashion. There are ways to follow style tribes that don’t involve throwaway purchases from brands like you-know-who.
- Experiment with different subcultures but make sure you stay true to your personal style. You can be influenced by trends without buying a completely new wardrobe every 3 months.
- Find versatile pieces that can be styled in different ways. You might want to invest in simpler denim and t-shirts, dressing them up with accessories to suit the style of the moment.
- Shop consciously, choosing sustainable brands or second-hand clothing.
- Swap clothes with your mates. If you want to plan an outfit for a specific event, why not browse your mates’ wardrobes instead of fast fashion sites?
Find your tribe
Whether you go for sporty bloke/gorpcore or sassy mob wife aesthetic, 2024 is delivering some serious style tribes. And, we’re only half way through the year.
We’re not sure what subcultures and style trends the rest of 2024 will bring, but we’re sure it’ll be just as random and fun.
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