Picture this: You’ve just arrived at a house party, dressed to impress in your best indie style —a thrifted T-shirt and colorful miniskirt with tights. Guests are mingling and bopping to the band. Everyone is wearing skinny jeans and no one is staring at their phone. In fact, there really aren’t any phones present at all, only the flash of digital cameras snapping group pics. Sounds amazing, right? It’s not a dream—it’s the indie era.
What is indie?
The “indie” period (aesthetically speaking) began in the mid-2000s and lasted nearly a decade, ending around 2014. It was also referred to as “hipster” style. The look evolved throughout the years with a variety of subcultures (more on those below!), but true indie style has close ties to the music world. Indie bands and musicians like Rilo Kiley, Bright Eyes, Phoenix, and Vampire Weekend were influential not just with their sound, but with their style too.
The indie era also collided with the birth of social media; in its early days, Myspace and Facebook were the big names in the industry, but by the end of the era, Instagram and Snapchat had taken over. At the dawn of the era, cell phones were super simple and bare bones and digital cameras were used to snap outfit and party pics. (Imagine that!)
Fashion icons of the era included Mary-Kate Olsen, Alexa Chung, British model Agyness Deyn, musician Sky Ferriera, and indie “It Girl” Cory Kennedy, but nearly every major star of the time put their own stamp on indie style; you’d often see famous faces pop up in the party photos by the Cobrasnake. American Apparel found major success during this time period and sold millions of V-neck T-shirts, hoodies in all colors of the rainbow, and stretchy, skintight Disco Pants.
What defines indie style?
Indie style was so much fun and long-lasting because a variety of subcultures grew within it. On the surface, it was defined by an interest in indie music and expressing your own personality and interests via your clothing. As the name suggests, it was all about independence and individuality, scouring the thrift and vintage stores for a special piece no one else would have and referencing your favorite musicians and movies in your outfits. It was about wearing what you wanted to wear and not caring what everyone else thought.
Indie style subcultures
Indie sleaze: Indie sleaze has made something of a comeback; you’ve probably read all sorts of headlines about the aesthetic. Kesha is a great example of the look: messy, wavy hair, lots of smudgy eye makeup, and party-ready minidresses, fur coats, and tights.
Boho indie: Mary-Kate Olsen put a bohemian twist on her indie styles in the mid-aughts, pairing slouchy beanie hats with flowy dresses or fringe bags with plaid shirts. Florence Welch and Sienna Miller were also icons of the time—and still wear similar styles today.
Twee: Twee is the “cutesy” sister of indie style. Think lace dresses, colored tights, cardigans, and the beloved slouchy beanie. Tavi Gevinson and Zooey Deschanel were both twee icons.
Indie pop: Striped shirts, colorful skinny jeans, and American Apparel deep V-necks and hoodies were popular on musicians of the time, often accessorized with chunky black eyeglasses or shutter shades.
How to dress indie
Since the indie look varies depending on the time period, there are a few ways to channel the aesthetic. However, these essential wardrobe items will help you get the look and pretend it’s 2009 again.
Skull scarf: Alexander McQueen’s sheer chiffon skull scarf was the go-to celebrity styling trick to make even the simplest outfit edgier.
Slouchy beanie: Stars like Rihanna and Mary-Kate Olsen loved wearing an oversized beret hat with their 2000s looks, typically placed at the crown of the head so your long, sideswept bangs could peek out.
.png)
Striped shirt: The Breton striped shirt was an essential foundational piece of the indie era. Inspired by French New Wave films, it looked great with skinny jeans and black tights.
Denim shorts: Denim cutoffs, as worn by indie era stars like Alexa Chung and Kate Moss, were another must-have, especially with booties and ripped tights.
Black or sheer black tights: Ripped sheer tights are more indie sleaze, while opaque black tights with a minidress feel a little more twee. Colorful tights a la Gossip Girl also made an appearance.
Skinny jeans: Duh! The tighter, the better. Popular brands included Cheap Monday and Urban Outfitters’ BDG. Colorful skinny jeans were encouraged too, especially in the 2010s.
Boots: Ankle boots were the most popular style, whether it was a pair of Doc Martens, a Chelsea boot, or a flat bootie with pointed toes. If you’re going for a Kate Moss at Glastonbury vibe, you need a pair of Hunter wellies—best paired with cutoffs.
A minidress: Whether it was skintight and paired with a vintage fur or shrunken blazer or a babydoll style paired with Converse or boots, a minidress was an absolute must.
Glasses: Oversized, chunky black glasses popped up in countless party photos—and most of them were fake plastic glasses, not actual eyeglasses.
Leggings: Leggings were another foundational piece of the indie era, especially leather or leather-like leggings and colorful metallic leggings like American Apparel’s popular Disco Pant.
Deep V-neck T-shirt: The deeper the V, the better!
Indie style inspo
This photo of Kate Moss at the Glastonbury music festival was on everyone’s moodboard in the indie era. The combo of Hunter boots and short shorts is still imitated nearly 20 years later.
This snap of Kravitz from 2012 is the perfect example of a “casual” indie ensemble, complete with layered shirts and a beanie.
Off-the-shoulder top? Check. Black tights and boots? Check. Red beanie? You know it. This is a classic Olsen outfit you could definitely wear today.
Ferreira’s outfit is a picture-perfect snapshot of indie style, from her striped shirt to her rooty blonde hair.
RiRi’s airport outfit of skinny jeans tucked into fringe booties, a giant bag, oversized cardigan, and—you guessed it!—a slouchy beanie was the ultimate day-off vibe.
British model Deyn was everywhere in the late 2000s and early 2010s and everyone copied her outfits and hairstyles. Did you really “dress indie” if you didn’t have a band tee and shrunken leather jacket? Nope.
Shorts-as-formalwear was a popular look for the latter half of the indie era, as It Girl Alexa Chung demonstrates with her dressier outfit. Chunky platform heels and an equally chunky necklace were trending accessories of the time.
