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A melting pot of subcultures
The E-Girl draws on fashion influences from many style tribes. They are touted as the modern day scene queens, but their look is also blended with elements of emo, cosplay, anime, grunge, skater, hip-hop and BDSM. A contrast of dark and light, their wardrobes range from pastel color schemes to dark and grungy aesthetics.
The anti influencer
The E-Girl emerged as an antidote to the heavily-filtered Instagram influencer, challenging the standards of beauty often perceived through social media. While the ‘E’ refers to electronic, according to Urban Dictionary, the name also dates back to 2009 as a derogatory slur for female gamers. It’s been reclaimed with this movement and is now used with pride.
They’re thrifty
Unlike the VSCO Girl, their wardrobe isn’t made up of a specific set of brands. E-Girls enjoy vintage shopping and buying via resale platforms, where the term is currently attributed to over 70k items on Depop.
They’re building a brand
With 800 million monthly active users worldwide, TikTok is an enticing platform to achieve viral success. E-Girl’s are native to the platform and are purchasing items specifically for their video aesthetic.
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They’re digitally native
You’ll find this cohort on TikTok in a clip backed by Mac Demarco’s ‘Chamber of Reflection’ showing how he transforms from an ‘ordinary boy’ into an alternative E-Boy. Or he’ll be trying to woo E-Girls by lip syncing to Billie Eilish while rolling back his eyes and biting his lips. On TikTok, the hashtag #eboy has over 100 million views while Instagram has over 38,000 posts tagged with the term.
They’re not afraid of makeup or accessorizing
E-Boys champion gender fluidity and are comfortable incorporating beauty into their aesthetic with black nail polish, eyeliner and shapes like heart stamps under the eyes. Haircare is also important here as the E-Boy is known for his flopping lock.
Jewelry has always been part of the emo boy wardrobe. Now, instead of ear stretchers and snake bite piercings, singular earrings and accessories adorned in chains are must-haves.
Skating inspirations are key
Like the E-Girl, the E-Boy aesthetic is a melting pot of subcultures, drawing influences from many style tribes. In addition to evolving from the emo subculture of the early-mid 00s, nods to 90s grunge are of note here with Thrasher tees an essential part of the uniform.
Gaming is important
A key activity for E-Boys who are also present on the live streaming platform Twitch. Their love of gaming influences the relaxed, oversized silhouettes in their wardrobes, differing from the skinny jeans synonymous with their emo and scene predecessors.
Menswear
Chain belts
The studded belt was an essential accessory for emo boys, paving the way for chains to enter the mass market. Not just for belts, this detail can also be incorporated into jewelry to further resonate with this subculture at an entry-level price point.
Earrings
As one of the most accessible items to buy into to capture the E-Boy aesthetic, earrings arriving in the US and UK are up 26% and 51% YoY, respectively. Zara and Topman currently offer the largest selection of earrings categorized for men. To emulate the E-Boy aesthetic, invest in singular earrings or mixed packs with crosses, daggers, small hoops and spikes.
Plaid joggers
With the emphasis this cohort places on gaming, relaxed trouser styles are essential, shifting away from the super skinny silhouettes favored by the emo boy. E-Boys are tucking joggers into combat boots and, like the E-Girl, checks are a popular print. The US and UK are currently seeing a 68% and 21% increase in new plaid jogger styles.
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