Last month I resurrected the monthly mix with Indie Sleaze after hearing a DJ on SiriusXMU point out that she wished they could have used a different word to describe the time rather than ‘sleaze.’ I wholeheartedly agree. The connotation of ‘sleaze’ is just so gross, and yet, looking back on it and the age I was during the heyday, it does kind of describe it accurately. If you lived through the era like I did, it wasn’t just a fashion moment - it was a whole lifestyle. Everything smelled like American Spirits, spilled vodka Red Bull, and the sweat on a dance floor at 2 a.m. As a generation who embraced MySpace it was a way of giving the middle finger to the bygone days of the preppy Y2K aesthetic. Why am I talking about this? Well, of course it’s back and giving us an opportunity to embrace the era that accompanied our years of self discovery. And if that is the case, here’s how to do it right. You know, so we don’t look like our parents did trying to keep the 1980s alive.

Welcome to Indie Sleaze

Indie Sleaze is the love child of the early 2000s hipsters and the electro debauchery. Unwashed hair, smudged eyeliner, and an ‘I don’t care’ attitude that required more effort than it seemed. It was the age of underground gigs, the best dive bars, and American Apparel ads that blurred the line between fashion and soft-core voyeurism (while also making you regret the burger you ate 2 hours ago). Tumblr was up and coming, we checked the Cobrasnake constantly, and Coachella was the mecca. You know, you were probably there too.

A Brief History Lesson

The era itself peaked between 2006 and 2012, fueled by the rise of digital cameras, hipster bloggers, and a music scene dominated by The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Crystal Castles, and Justice. It was all about being effortlessly cool or at least looking like you were. Layered vintage band tees, perfectly ripped rights, and, of course, American Apparel bodysuits were essential. Flash photography documented the whole thing, usually while someone was in the background making out or about to vomit. A grunge meets electro meets rock and roll glamour vibe.

Then came Instagram, influencer culture, and the rise of minimalism. The once-iconic indie sleaze vibes started to feel dated. As with many other things, fashion loves a revival, and Gen Z was all over it. Fully resurrecting it with a slightly modern twist.

The Bare Essentials

To truly embrace indie sleaze, you need the essentials:

Messy, bedhead hair and smudged black eyeliner - like you’ve been out all night.
Leather jackets - preferably thrifted and one size too big.
Slouchy boots or beat up converse.
Torn fishnets, ripped skinny jeans, oversized flannels, and vintage band tees.
A camera flash so bright it obliterates pores.

Indie Sleaze Today, Indie Sleaze Forever

(Without looking like an ancient relic)

Look, we aren’t 21 anymore and recreating our past verbatim would be almost tragic. And you know exactly what I am talking about. All of the times we saw adults rocking their favorite stuff we thought was uncool and outdated that we would point out. We don’t want to be those people, although, in my 30s I admire and understand those people now. Do whatever the hell you want, live your life on your terms, no one cares! But if you want to go with indie sleaze in 2025, the key is restraint. Instead of walking the planet like a living time capsule, take inspiration and refine it.

We don’t do greasy, slept-in makeup anymore. We smudge our eyeliner ever so slightly for the drama.
Keep that slightly oversized leather jacket going, but keep the rest of the outfit structured.
Trade in ultra-low-rise denim for something high-waisted and effortlessly cool.
Instead of a neon bodycon dress, try a vintage slip layered with a slouchy sweater.
Keep the attitude, but skip the PBR breath - okay, maybe this one doesn’t work entirely.

The Bottom Line: Indie Sleaze for the Grown and Much Hotter Now

Indie sleaze is more than just a TikTok trend; it’s a reminder that fashion should be fun, messy, and a little rebellious. Nostalgia doesn’t mean regression. It means embracing what was. Taking what worked, leaving what didn’t, and channeling that carefree energy into something that feels authentic to you now. After all, the best part of the indie sleaze eta was never the clothes or the music, it was the feeling that anything could happen on a Friday night.