Gone are the days when growing up meant admitting your alt years were ‘just a phase’.
While some people grow out of it (no judgement!) the rest of us old emos just can’t bear to break up with our largely black wardrobes, and why should we?
However, tweaking our style not just for the times, but for the workplace, can still be challenging. After all, there’s a very fine line between dressing like an adult with some edge and arresting your style development at around age 15.
Maybe that’s why TikTok is chock-full of fashion content for #ageingemos, #rockstargfs and overall alt hotties, with clips beyond reckoning getting tens, if not hundreds of thousands, of likes and clicks apiece.
It just goes to show there’s no such thing as too much outfit inspo.
But with so much advice out there, I wasn’t sure what was worth listening to. So, I turned to some fashion experts to dress me like their 2023 ideal of a chic elder emo – that would also be appropriate for the nine to five.
Megan Watkins, head stylist with SilkFred, says leaning into darker colours is key.
‘What’s more chic than black?’ she says. ‘And with emo or goth fashion deeply steeped in the darkest of hues, making the emo aesthetic work-appropriate doesn’t have to be a struggle or a worry.
‘You can easily keep up your desired vibe with office staples, like black suit trousers and a cool black shirt.
‘Other hues like deep red or forest green work in an office setting as well, and won’t compromise on your personal style.’
But then you have the potential problem of fading into the background in all these dark colours.
‘The emo aesthetic is also about being edgy and not looking like everybody else,’ she explains. ‘Although I’m not suggesting that you wear ripped fishnets or the biggest pair of chunky platforms you own to an important work meeting, there are ways to stand out from the crowd, without raising any eyebrows.
‘For example, a black shirt in a satin fabric adds a gothic edge to an otherwise classic look. You can also play around with silhouettes, and opt for a whimsical oversized sleeve or a blazer with exaggerated shoulders. All-black dresses with fun embellishments such as high necks and a skater skirt give a witchy feel to your regular black midi dress.’
Vivien, of @viviensvintage fame, gets dark colours to stand out by mixing textures, using ‘different fabrics and detailing individually that elevate a “basic” office outfit.
‘I would pair this with some silver jewellery and black boots or loafers, and a black headband.’
Top Depop seller Mariana Rebelo (@karakroa) says you can use some of your older emo items and pair them with office basics like blazers, midi/maxi skirts and trousers to make them more workplace-y.
‘A patterned top with a cobweb print, crosses or roses will be more subtle and easy to style into professional wear if it’s all black,’ she adds, ‘and I’d pair it with work trousers or a straight maxi skirt.
‘I’d also suggest getting yourself some elevated basics with a gothic twist. Choose basics that have subtle details such as lace trimmings, dramatic collars, small buckles, silver hardware, zips or hooks. A shirt with a big collar, trousers with buckle details, a leather blazer/skirt or a frilly shirt will also help you get the look while still being office-appropriate.’
Mariana stresses the importance of accessorising too.
‘For the office, keep it simple,’ she instructs. ‘Instead of lots of layered necklaces, choose one statement necklace such as a silver cross, or you could go for a rose brooch for some extra detail.’
As for looks you should probably swerve, Megan says band Ts, jeans with ‘obvious rips’ and micro mini skirts should probably be kept for the weekend.
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