Indie Sleaze is Back
Indie Sleaze is Back
By: Bella Duncan
Indie sleaze is back and better than ever. Whispers and rumors of indie sleaze’s revival have circulated throughout the fashion community for the last few years, but with the recent release of movies like Saltburn and the reconception of leopard print and ballet flats, it is safe to say that indie sleaze is back.
As the trend of “clean girl” aesthetics and quiet luxury dissipates into the near past, heavily applied makeup, miniskirts, and excessive accessories step into the spotlight. Recently released Saltburn’s Venetia perfectly portrays early 2000s indie fashion with smudged eyeliner, grown-out roots, and novelty jewelry.
Formerly pioneered by icons such as Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, and the Olsen sisters, quintessential indie sleaze style consisted of oversized accessories, tights, and layers of effortless yet perfectly curated pieces. A decade out from the height of this trend, both Moss’s daughter Lila and the Olsen sisters’ brand, The Row, now grace the runway while Chung remains a fixture amongst fashion publications.
More than just a style movement, indie sleaze was a subculture, rich in community and creativity. Those who made New Year’s resolutions to spend less time doom-scrolling on their devices may unintentionally find themselves immersed in the world of indie culture. The renaissance of the arts in recent post-pandemic years - whether that be frequenting live music shows, attending new movies and theater productions, or engaging in local art scenes - has certainly contributed to the revival of indie communities. Small digital cameras litter the purses and pockets of young students and new members of the workforce, looking to obtain the joy that seemed to emanate from the generation before them.
Indie sleaze, a style of excess, plays off of personal style and expressing individual interests, looking to find a common denominator amongst those around you. Pull out your favorite wardrobe pieces, style them without formula, emulate your favorite carefree chic it-girl or it-boy, and make a friend along the way.
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