trends & subculturesTuesday, January 24, 2017

Teen Clique style tribes revealed

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Teenagers have come a long way in almost every way since the ‘80s and ‘90s. With more access to information than ever, teen clique style is no longer mandated by what teenagers see at school or on TV. Generation Z has grown up on technology like no other before it. Its constant access to information has morphed teen style and teen cliques into much more complicated groups.

 

That being said, teen fashion tribes haven’t strayed so far from their stereotyped roots that we can’t draw some parallels.

Fashion jocks

 

The extended moment that athleisure is having on the runway has bred a new kind of jock. Loyalty to particular brands and workout wear with visible logos are still desirable for the athlete. However, focus has shifted to form over function, at least when it comes to streetwear. Color-blocked leggings in neutral tones, long-line sports bras with mesh, and maybe even the occasional bodysuit, inspired by Rihanna’s Puma collection, are common fare.

 

Sneaker worship is a big part of the new jock’s fashion consciousness, whether the wearer is a fan of Stan Smiths, Nike Air Force 1s, or Yeezys, they probably have a favorite pair.

 

Cybergoths

 

Trends may come and go, but Goth teen style tribes, in some manifestation seem to be forever. Today’s cybergoths are still wearing a lot of all black everything and have similar moody tendencies, but unlike ‘80s goths, who preferred corsets and lace, reminiscent of Victorian styles, today’s goths are very aware of contemporary fashion. Preferring to eschew confining garments, goths today are in tune with the boundary-pushing fashion designers who are fighting the status quo. Brands like Vetements and Comme des Garçons are experimenting with fashion in ways that are interesting to teenagers who have a philosophy that’s all about nonconformity.

 

Modern mean girls

 

Named after the cult 2004 movie, mean girls style has become synonymous with the popular girl teen fashion tribe, even if these girls aren’t actually mean. Teen popularity has often been tied to ownership of the newest and most coveted brands, but in today’s fashion reality, great brands are just part of creating that perfect, Instagram-worthy look.

 

These girls belong to a number of teen clique style tribes, but some of the reigning filter queens are members of the “contour club”. Members of this teen fashion tribe learned how to apply makeup from watching hours of YouTube videos and they love to show off a great highlight, perfect brow, or freshly painted coffin nails. These teen cliques are all about head-to-toe neutral looks in body-conscious silhouettes. You’ll find them in Balmain dresses and Fleur Du Mal bodysuits.

 

GoPro girls

 

On the opposite end of the Instagram model spectrum are the “good vibes only” girls, whose teen style is reminiscent of the classic California girl but with more catch phrases printed on their tank tops. This teen clique style is a mash-up of boho chic and athleisure and they are firmly “pro” in the debate about leggings as pants.

 

Armed with GoPro cameras, these girl squads are off taking adventures and recording all of them for their followers to see. Not that they care all that much about how many followers they have. Unlike the contour club, makeup is minimal and just enhances their glowing skin and wavy hair. They worship For Love and Lemons and would love a great fringed shoulder bag by Elizabeth and James or Saint Laurent.

 

The young feminists

 

Refinery29 calls them the “Manic Pixie Woke Girls,” one of the teen cliques that’s more focused on their girlfriends and important social issues than attention from boys. Their style is still very feminine, but with an edge. Think Rihanna’s bubblegum pink ensemble topped with a Hood by Air T-shirt at the 2016 MTV VMAs, or most of Lena Dunham’s wardrobe.

 

Out of all the teen fashion tribes, this clique will be the most interested in fashion that has something to say. Tongue-in-cheek commentary on consumerism, like that demonstrated by Jeremy Scott in his own shows as well as those he’s done for Moschino, speak to these girls, who are as interested in fashion as they are in social consciousness.

 

Teenagers now are in tune with culture in a way they never were before. Teen fashion tribes are plugged into a never-ending wealth of references in the form of articles, videos and social media, and are all about taking trends and making them their own. Teen clique style is evolving faster than ever, and makes us wonder what the next wave of young designers from Generation Z will have in store.

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