Is an emo kid indie? What makes a goth not emo? What is a scene style, anyway? Most people have a difficult time differentiating among indie, emo and goth, but members of each scene consider such blunders reprehensible and offensive. The truth is there are many simple distinctions and each scene has its own special level of intensity. The important thing to remember is each of these styles represent a different genre of music.

Indie
The term “indie” comes from independent underground rock, a genre of music in which the bands control all of their own writing, recording and music production. Some bands have crossed into the mainstream and signed with major labels, so indie has come to become associated with melodic or acoustic artists, such as Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Folds and Regina Spektor. These artists, with their unique sounds, proudly nerdy indie style and self-proclaimed music geek followers are now a huge part of the music scene.

Indie style is the least intricate of the three styles, consisting mainly of neutral colors, t-shirts and skinny-legged pants. With indie style, less is more. Simple dresses, high waisted skirts and cords are indie staples, as are cute flats, cardigans and funky jewelry. Hair is typically low maintenance, left natural and down or pulled back into a ponytail or bun. Bangs are also typical of indie hair, being either long and blunt, short and pixie-like or parted and side swept.

Indie kids are also artsy types and typically don’t like name brands. Thrift stores are popular shopping destinations for savvy indie shoppers.

Emo
Emo style refers to that of emo music bands and their followers. Emo was born as emotive hardcore in the 1980s. Emo bands Matchbook Romance, Senses Fail and The Used exemplify this sound and style. The emo look is typically more intense and vibrant than the indie style, typically identifiable by the distinct hairstyles and piercings.

Hair is typically worn pin straight and choppy with many layers. Long side swept bangs that cover one eye make for a very emo look, and even funky colored highlights of blue and pink can be incorporated into the style. The stick straight look typical of most emo kids is achieved with a flat iron and a lot of hair products. Use hair wax on shorter styles to get hair to stick out. Many emo followers have facial piercings, including the nose, lips or cheeks, Monroe or septum.

The emo kids basic wardrobe consists of band t-shirts, whether in basic black or bright colors. Tight pants worn with a carabiner clip keychain attached to a belt loop is an emo staple, as are as square glasses and Converse shoes. 

Goth
Not to be confused with emo, goth is the darkest and most intricate of these three scene styles. Characterized by an often all black wardrobe and thick makeup, goth kids follow the likes of The Cure, HIM and Fields of the Nephilim. A known goth style poster girl is Amy Lee of Evanescence, with her long black hair, dark eye shadow, red lips and extremely fair complexion.

A goth’s complete wardrobe should consist of some high knee high striped socks, a lot of items with zippers, chains, grommets and crosses. A long dark trench coat is a goth staple, as are fishnet stockings, tops and gloves. Pleather, latex and spandex are all great goth style fabrics; corsets, big belts and chokers are great goth accessories. The goth style can be very high maintenance, so some goth followers only dress this way head-to-toe for shows and special occasions.