Indie Sleaze New Year’s Eve

With trends cycling at lightning speed these days, we have arrived at the resurgence of Indie Sleaze much faster than I could have ever anticipated. Not that I’m complaining but it is odd seeing the formative years of my life being put on a pedestal.

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I was in university during the pinnacle of era and it did feel like an exciting time. Watching Cory Kennedy go from an obscure it girl to a fashion darling with a regular column for Nylon Magazine was WILD. That was the power of interesting style meeting party photography.

This very blog began during this time. In my early style posts l was editing photos with ToyCamera software! I could wax poetic about this for many more paragraphs but I will save you the sappy nostalgia for now. Keep scrolling for my nod to my ~youth~ here’s an Indie Sleaze New Year’s Eve outfit and music playlist.

Indie Sleaze Style Inspiration

High flash photography is a MUST when trying to capture any Indie Sleaze looks. Popularized by party photographers like the Cobrasnake. I have a whole Indie Sleaze Pinterest Board for more references from the era. When I think back to this time, the trifecta of shopping really was thrifting, Urban Outfitters, and American Apparel. (I recently read a memoir from an AA head office employee; it was a WILD book. Check it out on my Reading List)

Polka dots, bows, Ray Ban Wayfarers, power clashing, neon, ripped clothes, red lips, leopard print, unbrushed hair. All of these elements combined in a haphazard way then worn out to a party or club to get photographed and share on your blog with a name like Glitter Marmalade or cigarettes.from.last.night. WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE!

Indie Sleaze Accessories

Accessories are the easiest part. Matte lipstick, preferably in a red or pink shade – the Stila Stay all Day shades were my favourite if I was going out partying, but a classic Mac Russian Red was in rotation too. Handbags were either massive like the Marc Jacobs Stam, a bag that I COVETED to no end. (it was re-launched earlier this year!) Or envelope thin, enough room to fit your Motorola Razr and some cash.

And of course tote bags from record stores like Amoeba or Rough Trade to show off that you were ~into music~ for real. (Yes I do own both.) This should go without saying, but the Wayfarer style of sunglasses were the frame of choice with the Clubmaster following it later into the era.

And remember to bring a small Pentax Optio digital, Polaroid, or disposable camera to capture all the happenings and a few outfit shots in a back alley next to a dumpster.

Indie Sleaze New Year’s Eve Playlist

What’s an indie sleaze New Year’s outfit without an accompanying playlist to really set the mood? Everyone knows the best part of the night is getting ready with your friends in your bathroom while pre-drinking wodka’s (water + vodka for those who don’t know.) Imagine a baby pink iPod mini hooked up to computer speakers blaring out these tunes while the countertop is littered with makeup from Stila, MAC, Cargo, and Hard Candy (before it became drugstore.)

Sing into your hairbrushes and remember to take at least 30 of the same photos to post on your myspace page otherwise it never happened. If Mylo’s Drop the Pressure or Cut Copy Hearts on Fire doesn’t make you want to dance, I can’t help you. Much of this music was on heavy rotation at Urban Outfitters the summer I worked there in 2006.

Indie Sleaze New Year’s Eve

I do wonder if the Indie Sleaze era, much like the 80s, will be distilled down to the most obvious elements when it inevitably becomes a halloween costume. I guess we shall see! In the meantime, we can enjoy the music and incorporate the hero pieces from the era into our looks in hopes of having a serotonin boost. If the clothes won’t do it, the playlist certainly will.

Did you have an ultimate going out song from this time or a staple clothing item you couldn’t live without? (I still wear my American Apparel zip up hoodies with the white zippers which is a testament to the quality of the product but certainly not the founder.) I’d love to hear about them in the comments. Happy New Year!

photographs – jesse sand + sandy joe karpetz