«VI would hate to see you dressed in nothing”, sings Coez in one of his most popular songs, Jets (2015), which fall into the Indie music genre. A verse that in some ways summarizes the lightness that underlies the return trend which in 2024 also affects fashion: we keep talking about this style, which in 2024, however, be careful, is called “Indie Sleaze”.
In just over 10 years, the notes change, but the music is basically still the same as in 2010 and surrounding areas. At least in terms of outfitsand in some ways also of icons. But what is the real meaning? What are the must-haves to follow the trend today?
Indie Sleaze: what is it?
The big coming back of Indie style in the collections Spring-Summer 2024 and in street style/social looks it has a very specific name. The double term was coined recently on TikTok by Mandy Lee (@OldLoserInBrooklyn) and literally means “indie debauchery”. An expression that indicates the return of a very popular aesthetic in the first decade of the 2000s: a way of dressing between the scruffy and the eroticwith reminiscences of nineties grunge, made on one side of rock details and on the other of bold transparencies.
Waking up in the morning in the party outfit from the previous evening(s).messy hair and the strength to wear only a pair of boots and grandma’s enveloping maxi cardigan: a notable and casual mix at the same time, capable of making even the loudest of walk of shame.
Style icons
The music of the party, an album by The Libertinesof the Babyshamblesof the Arctic Monkeys. It is not a case that Pete Dohertylongtime boyfriend of Kate Moss in those years, he was the leader of the first two Indie groups; While Alexa Chung had an affair with Alex Turnerleader of the third, from 2007 to 2010. They are the Indie Sleaze icons par excellence, followed by the top Stella Maxwell, Alice Dellal, Agyness Deyn. When it comes to designers, it is above all who make Indie style cool Hedi Slimane: a passion, his, that has endured since the days in which he was creative director of Saint Laurent (2012-2016). And it still does not subside today, in his modern collections Celine.
A look from Saint Laurent SS2016.(Photo: Catwalking/Getty Images).
It’s impossible not to mention them Olsen twinswho today focus on minimalism with the Quiet Luxury brand The Row – but in the past they were followed rather for their personal style, made up of faux fur, large dark glasses, maxi or micro lengths with no middle ground. The new icons 2024 who most collect the legacy of the Indie stars of the past? Stella Maxwell, Suki Waterhouse, Camille Charriere, Beautiful Hadid. The looks are always valid, today as yesterday, by Chloe Sevigny And Sienna Miller. There TV series of yesteryear to be recovered, recently also landed on Netflix? Skinsthe TV series that photographs the dissolute and glamorous lives of a group of young people from Bristol, England, which not surprisingly kept teenagers glued to the screen from 2007 to 2013 (above all, the stage costumes of Kaya Scodelario in the role of Effy).
How to dress Indie style in 2024
And so, how to master the Indie Sleaze trend? In the background the right record, a sensual but who cares attitude, and a eclectic wardrobe which ranges from the Festival look of yesteryear (just dig up the photos of the time at Glastonbury) at the glamorous private party with highly selected guests. The desire to have fun is necessary to go from the very short t-shirt dress to the heart band t-shirt used for going out, as well as as pajamas.
Agyness Deyn in July 2007, in skinny pants and the perfect Indie accessories, from the thin scarf, to the hat, to the contrasting colored used-effect bag (Photo: MJ Kim/Getty Images).
To be combined with used effect leather bomber jackets and synthetic furs, skinny jeans black or grey, micro shorts or denim minis; inevitable, the sheer, run-free stockings. Total black but also touches of animalier, sequins, acid colours. On the face, maxi dark sunglasses to hide the dark circles, around the neck, a thin radical chic scarf, on the head a beret or a Fedora, and on the arm a worn, dark or colored bag (the advice is to dust off the Old School classics like the City Of Balenciaga and the Falabella Of Stella McCartney). On the feet, classic ballet flats used casually instead of slippers, biker boots or very high-heeled ankle boots to stagger on.
Suki Waterhouse in February 2022: fur coat and micro denim shorts, the Indie Sleaze details to copy (Photo by NDZ/Star Max/GC Images).
There is a fall, but that too ends up being seen as iconic. Just think of the 2010 post-party photos featuring the timeless diva, Kate Moss, “dressed” in only a white satin dress with wide slits and a matching fax fur fur coat.
Little or nothing has changed if we think of the shots of her recent 50th: black dress with bold dark transparencies and tonal suede coat trimmed with fur. Less dissolute, always sensual: the example of (Indie) style to copy, today like yesterday.
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