What is Subculture and How Does It Reflect on Fashion?

When we are around certain groups of people for an extended period of time, you may find that you begin to talk like them, act like them and even dress like them. Subculture refers to a group of people, with like-minded attitudes and beliefs, who spend a lot of time with one another and begin to emulate different aspects of each other's personalities. This can be reflected in the way that a person talks and even how they may dress. Fashion and subcultures have been interlinked for quite some time as fashion has become a way for people to express themselves. 

As certain cultures and groups of people looked to define themselves through the clothes they wore, certain subcultures began to develop in ways that spanned out from this original group. Subcultures and fashion have been known to diverge from the rest as a way to separate themselves in a distinct opposition, looking to move away from what many call ‘mainstream’. Many of these changes were inspired by things like music and political unrest as subcultures looked to make statements about the world in ways that diverged from the norm. Fashion subcultures opened up doors for people to interact with like-minded people and create statements in new ways! Fashion was ultimately shaped by these subcultures as they became popular and more pronounced over the years. You can see how the different types of subcultures shape existing fashion trends, even today! 

What are The Types of Fashion Subcultures?

Looking at how types of fashion subcultures developed and were influenced, we can better understand the impacts that this had on trends and style. Many of the alternative fashion subcultures from the 70s, 80s and 90s have influenced the fashion world today and it is important to acknowledge how this happened. The following is a look at some of the most prominent types of fashion subcultures around the world over the years! 

Hip Hop Fashion Subcultures

During the late 80s and 90s, hip-hop and rap music was on the rise, with many introducing new fashion statements to go with it. Much of this music was created to reflect the instability and inequality in large cities in America, like New York, and fashion subcultures soon followed on from this newly defined genre of music. Much of the fashion that came out of this time period was distinctly different from the norm, as baggy clothing and more sports brands became more and more popular. The 80s subculture fashion was heavily defined by these different styles and looks! 

These types of subcultures in fashion have defined and influenced many of the trends that we see today. Some of the most popular associations with the hip hop fashion subcultures are backward caps, saggy clothes and of course, wearing the most expensive and flashy shoes! You can definitely see how the reflections of this subculture have worked their way into modern fashion trends today and how this influence was part of shaping trends within the industry! 

Goth Fashion Subcultures

During the late 70s and early 80s, the time of rock n roll was in full swing and with this genre of music, came a distinct fashion subculture known as the gothic style! As music artists of this era were trying to make a name for themselves within this new genre of music, they also had to make sure that they looked the part, and from this, gothic styles of fashion were born! From dark leather pants to chokers around the neck and hands, gothic fashion subcultures were defined by the rock genre of music in many different ways. Since this time period, the goth fashion subculture trends have become much more diversified, with small elements making their way into modern fashion trends! One of the most notable styles that continues to be popular is the wearing of leather pants. 

Hippie Fashion Subcultures

Unlike the above two fashion subcultures, the hippie movement was actually inspired by the political upheaval that was occurring during the 60s and 70s. As capitalism and western influence were beginning to take shape, the hipster movement looked to encourage ideals around ‘flower power’ and inspire others to think more about nature than capitalist venture. The style of hippie fashion subcultures was very flowery and flowy, with a direct shift from the modern styles that were becoming so common during this time period. 

Items of clothing like bell bottoms, long flowing dresses and kaftans were commonly associated with style trends over this time period. Hippie fashion subcultures have definitely influenced modern fashion and style trends today specifically among those who are still looking to move away from modern style! Long flowing dresses are often inspired by style trends over this time and things like kaftans have been associated with styling costumes and swimwear!

Minimalist Fashion Subcultures

While the above fashion subcultures were looking to make loud statements about the time period they were in, minimalist fashion subcultures were styles that were looking to do the opposite. Minimalist fashion is all about simplicity, styling that basic outfit in such a way that it was seen as fashion forward. When it comes to this kind of style trend, material and quality are everything, as straight lines and monotone colours like white, cream and brown were the most popular kinds of styles to go with this fashion trend. Minimalism is all about timelessness, it's as if wearing these kinds of outfits could place you in just about every time period without you looking out of place! The minimalist style is very much a new trend and it is only gaining in popularity. 

K-Style Fashion Subcultures

Korean pop culture (or K-Pop) has recently risen in popularity as Korean music has made a name for itself on international stages! Korean fashion subcultures have very much been defined by Korean styles and the famous K-Pop music genre, with things like trench coats, pastel colours and floral prints being favoured! K-style fashion subcultures have only risen in popularity over the last few years as bands like BTS took to the stage and became internationally renowned. This subculture has been heavily influenced in the last decade or so, and before this, it was relatively unknown unless, of course, you were in South Korea! This subculture has taken influences from many different decades and combined it into what it is today, revolutionising South Korean fashion in ways that have never been seen before. 

What Are The Trends of Fashion Subcultures?

Trends of fashion subcultures differ depending on the year they started and whether they are still popular today. Whether it is still a popular style or not, it is easy to see by looking back in time that these different styles and time periods have a heavy influence on fashion subcultures today. Trends are always changing, as different styles become more popular and others begin to fade away, but a fashion statement is a fashion statement, and many use these different subcultures that existed in previous years to develop new fashion trends! 

Looking back at different fashion subcultures and understanding how they were influenced, be it through political statements or through music, it is easy to see how these different trends were formed to compete against the norms of the time. Subcultures became an important part of expression and understanding, making them an incredibly vital part of how change was stimulated over the years. Fashion trends and subcultures are in no way over, and we are so excited to see what different styles are born over the years to come! 

What Are The Examples of Fashion Subcultures?

The different subcultures in fashion have been highly influenced by a number of different factors over the years. From 90s fashion subcultures being influenced by political unrest and the music that was developed within this decade to the flower child hippie subcultures of the 70s! There are many examples to look at when it comes to these different fashion subcultures and how they have shaped the way the modern world of fashion has grown. From the Rockin 60s to the 2000s pop, examples of fashion subcultures can be noted throughout recent history! 

Fashion Subcultures: From Past to Present

Fashion subcultures can be seen throughout the years, from the 1970s fashion subcultures hippie era to the 1980s hip hop period. Many assume that as fashion subcultures begin to fade away that their style will go right along with it, though this is definitely not true. You can see how different elements of different fashion subcultures have influenced modern fashion trends in exciting ways, creating new fashion subcultures as they rise and fall in popularity.