This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Jeanny Sánchez Gómez. Find them on Instagram at @jeanny_sanchez. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
One shared experience that most Zillennials can probably agree on having is an emo phase. Now whether or not you escaped that phase, a small part of us will always be transported back to the era of heavy eyeliner and all-black outfit-filled days after hearing the opening note for Welcome to the Black Parade. And every once in a while, you get the opportunity to go full emo and scream along to some old favorites. So whether you have been the embodiment of the It’s not a phase mom meme or just know someone who was, here’s your complete guide on what to wear to emo night.
Genre Influences
The fun part about emo nights is that sometimes they are centered around a specific subgenre, which can make it more fun when thinking out outfit ideas. So whether you’re just going out to get some drinks with your friends while listening to butt-rock, having your pop-punk moment, or ready to form a mosh pit, looking at specific bands can be a good way to figure out an outfit.
Butt Rock (aka divorced-dad music)
Divorced or not, this subgenre could be heard playing out of your dad’s radio at some point. Slightly watered down and more radio-friendly, butt rock is fun to listen to but the image and vibes you might get is full of jeans and an old faded t-shirt entwined with the slight smell of cigarettes. Probably being the easiest outfit to find in your closet, with an old pair of jeans and any old tee, you can fit right in as the fifth member of Nickelback.
Pop-Punk
Filled with the most recognizable- at least in my opinion- figures when you think of emo music. Pop-punk bands have a range of outfit ideas to steal. Specifically for my late 90s and early 2000s emos, we have iconic bands like Paramore, My Chemical Romance, Greenday, Pierce the Veil, and Avril Lavigne. While still somewhat similar to some butt-rock outfits, now we get heavy eyeliner, fun hair colors, and also ties.
But in case you’re still struggling to find any outfit inspiration, Hayley Williams of Paramore has been taking the stage in some iconic outfits since 2005. Whether your aim is to dress like you’re going to Warped Tour or just trying to look cute while you’re out, getting outfit ideas from a quick scroll on Pinterest or through Paramore’s Instagram will give you more than enough ideas. And if you’re really committed to the bit, you can never go wrong in getting some temporary hair dye to give yourself the Hayley Williams look.
Nu-metal
Defined by bands like System of a Down and Deftones, the Nu-metal sound is a bit heavier but the aesthetic is closer to a street skater style with baggy pants and some oversized t-shirts. Going to your local thrift store will make shopping for this kind of style the easiest to do if you don’t already own something along those lines.
Accessories
While some might think that simply wearing all black would be fine, let me assure you that it is, although accessorizing makes it so much more fun. So if you do decide to go the simple black tee, black jeans route, accessorizing will help your look go from “I might know who My Chemical Romance is “ to “I’ve had rewards at Hot Topic since I was 12”. One emo night staple that you can never go wrong with is some tactical boots, especially if they are knee-high. Other shoes that you might already have lying around are some old beat-up Converse, Doc Martens, or some checkerboard Vans.
Another great item to have is some fishnets. Whether you’re wearing shorts, a skirt, or a shirt, this is a great accessory if you want to add something fun underneath, this Pentagram patterned pair specifically, is a fun go-to. My favorite part about accessorizing an outfit is planning the smaller details. Adding jewelry can give you a lot of options to work with, chunky and dramatic rings on most of your fingers, long and layered bulky necklaces, dangly earrings, and anything in between. Skulls, knives, pentagrams, or just big chunky items in general tend to add a lot to an outfit. And how can I forget about adding studs, whether it’s a studded belt, earrings, or bracelets, you can never go wrong by adding this element to your outfit. Painting your nails is also another fun detail you can add, painting them a classic black or adding a pop of color can go a long way.
Whichever outfit you land on, just remember that accessories will be your best friend to help you go just a step further. With so many options to help you accessorize, not only will your outfit be ten times better, but it can also make the look more personalized and make you feel more comfortable in the final look if this isn’t your everyday wear.
Makeup
Last but not least, makeup is a bold element you can add to your final outfit to make your look certified emo. Heavy bottom eyeliner, winged eyeliner, smudged mascara, and a dramatic eye-shadow look can be a really fun thing to incorporate for your final look. If you decide to scroll on TikTok there are tons of emo makeup looks to get inspired by. I also recommend looking at icons like Hayley Williams, Gerard Way, and Avril Lavigne for inspiration. While black eyeliner and eyeshadow might be your first thought, don’t ignore using whites and red to help make a look more dramatic!
Whether you’re a regular emo night attendee or dragged there by all your emo music-loving friends there is a range of options for an amazing outfit. Choosing to go out in a band tee or choosing to make a fully inspired outfit, the emo night is your chance to go out and let your inner angry teen thrive while singing along with a room full of people who can probably agree that being emo is not a phase.
What are your thought on what to wear to emo night? Leave a comment below letting us know your favorite emo inspiration.
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