What is Indie Sleaze? 

It was an era of wearing what you want – without social media pressure or idealistic restrictions of “flawlessness” or “clean-girl” aesthetics. The Indie Sleaze renaissance refers to the time period around the early 2010s – which was fueled by festival life, messy afterparties and most likely documented by the bright flash photography from a digital camera. But like all fashion eras that circle back – we sift through the trends, repurposing and reimagining them for the present day. We are (thankfully) leaving behind the mustache motif and neon skinny jeans and instead bringing back classics like chunky jewelry and edgy leopard print coats. We analyzed the browsing and shopping behavior of our 90 million annual shoppers on Stylight along with Google search trends to understand just which trends from the Indie Sleaze era are making their return. We are proud to present our guide to Indie Sleaze – discover the latest trends and enjoy some nostalgic flashbacks along the way. 

Indie Sleaze Style Staples

The iconic trends that are making their return

Not all trends that came out of the Indie Sleaze era were worthy of comeback, but there are definitely a few style staples that we are happy to see make their return. An emblem of rebellious style, band T-shirts are one of the fundamental elements of the Indie Sleaze style. Often worn by icons like Kate Moss or Alexa Chung, there’s no doubt that this fashion trend was and still is a closet classic. Compared to last year, we’ves seen a 49% increase in demand for band t-shirts on Stylight.

Another somewhat controversial trend that has re-emerged (much to the despair of some Millennials), is the peplum top. This statement top was the “going-out” piece for many back in the 2010’s and in 2024 it’s making its glorious return. In the last month we’ve already seen a 19% increase in demand on Stylight. Another clear fashion staple of the 2010s was the striped top. It was giving a little bit “manic-pixie-dream-girl” with a touch of that Brit-rock chaotic energy. After seeing a 132% increase in demand for striped shirts we’re certain that this look will continue to grow in 2024. 

And finally, we’ve come to accept that low-rise pants are here to stay with a 152% increase in demand on Stylight confirming their arrival to the fashion scene. They were such a big part of the Indie Sleaze – but at least this time around we can avoid the neon-colored skinny jeans.

Indie Sleaze Outerwear

Hello faux fur and leather! 

Last year was all about eye-catching shoes, and this year is all about special jackets and coats. Rarely has an aesthetic been defined so much by its outerwear variations as Indie Sleaze. They can complete a casual grunge look or add the finishing touch to the perfect nonchalant cool-girl outfit. Starting with a real classic, while we have to admit that leopard coats have never really been completely off our radar, it’s hard to ignore their viral status right now – Google searches have already increased by 19% in the last month.

But one coat that we didn’t expect to see again so soon is the Afghan coat, also known as the Penny Lane coat. The vintage silhouette, the fur-lined collar and sleeves make for a striking piece of outerwear – signifying the end to the era of understated “Quiet Luxury” aesthetics that were trending last year.

Leather jackets, a key piece of the night-life scene back in the 2010s, must of course also make an appearance. On Stylight there has been a 21% increase in demand over the last year – with colored leather like red, green, and dark purple taking the spotlight this time. We also couldn’t go without mentioning (fake) fur jackets – which have seen a 15% increase in Google searches over the last month.

Indie Sleaze Accessories

Accessorize like an Indie-kid

Accessories are also entering their Indie Sleaze era, with more touches of rock and bohemian influences. Tights (in all styles and colors) are worn under shorts, a more normal version of the “no pants” trend that emerged last year. Google searches for “shorts with tights” have increased by 15% over the past year.

As for jewelry, subtle and simple styles are making way for chunky, maximalist pieces. “Jewelry stacking” with rings, bracelets, and necklace is becoming more popular and Google searches for chunky jewelry have already risen by 47%. Another key accessory of the 2010s was the skinny, bohemian scarf (think Chloë Sevigny or Agyness Deyn), and this too seems to be enjoying a spike in interest and traffic.

Last but not least, tinted sunglasses in colors like blue, orange, and pink, which were so popular at music festivals during the Indie Sleaze era, are also seeing an increase in Google searches.

Indie Sleaze Brands

Two classics return to the spotlight

When we think about the 2010’s it’s hard not to imagine a few iconic brands and the mark they left on the Indie Sleaze era. The controversial American Apparel ad campaigns, the must-have Givenchy Rottweiler T-shirt, and of course those Hunter boots that Kate Moss wore to Glastonbury.

But there are a few brands from that time period that are still going strong in 2024. Compared to last year, demand for Converse has increased by 24% – with low profile shoes like Adidas Sambas or the Onitsuka Tiger, it’s easy to see why Converse is gaining popularity again.

And another Indie Sleaze staple that seems to be returning to the spotlight? Doc Martens. The ultimate shoe choice for every Indie-kid, we’re happy to see that they are still going strong – with demand increasing by 223% on Stylight in the past year.

About this report

Stylight is the go-to destination for online shoppers to quickly, stylishly and easily find and compare premium fashion, beauty and interior products from top retailers and brands. Our website has over 1000 partner shops, 90 million shoppers per year and 14 international markets where our website is available. Stylight Insights publishes exciting fashion data and e-commerce key figures as well as statistics that provide insights into the search and shopping behavior of our users. For this report, we examined the clicks on Stylight and search volume on Google in a YoY comparison – between 15 October, 2023 and 15 January, 2024 vs the previous year. Certain trends that have become especially relevant in the last few weeks (peplum shirts, leopard print coats, and faux fur coats) were examined in a more time-sensitve window and were compared in a MoM analysis (November 15, 2023 – December 15, 2023 vs December 15, 2023 – January 15, 2024)

written by:

Rebekah Ortquist

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