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real emo

Everyone is always talking about what is means to be a ‘real emo’, and there are loads of quizzes and polls on the Internet that try and define this, but in reality emo is just another convenient label which people use to tag on those who are a just a little bit different from the norm.

The emo scene started off being all about the music, but these days those that are truly into the music have become a little group on their own, referred to as ‘scenesters‘. Emo’s also started off with the exploration of emotions and the darker side of the human psyche, and although the music and emo vibe still reflect this is does seem that to truly be emo these days you have to wear the right clothes and have the right hairstyle as well.

Acceptable emo clothes are skintight jeans/trousers and dark colours that might have flashes of neon pink, electric blue or some other super bright colour. Emo hair is pretty uniformed too, it should be jet black or white blonde, dead straight and glossy with sharp spiked bangs and streaks of bright/dark colour. Emo fashion also encourages experimentation with accessories, so expect a lot of very individual uses of bows and belts, and also lots of cartoon skull motifs.

Most people truly in the emo scene hate labels and will probably become enraged if you call them an emo! It can be very frustrating when you are trying to express yourself individually for someone just to stick a generic label on you and think they have you all sussed out. The emo subculture is also very closely linked to a number of other subcultures such as goths and punks, but the main difference is that emo’s have always been more sensitive and interested in the emotional stuff. Basically even if you wear all the right clothes and listen to the right music you will never be a true emo unless you are in touch with your feelings, and understand what it is like to experience not only the good happy feelings, but also the darker, more depressing feelings as well.