Words by: Miko Insame
Featured Photo by: Jeff Thomas
Admit it. At one point in time, between fourth grade and high school, you (or someone you know) underwent an emo phase.
For those who don’t know, the emo phase in someone’s life where black takes up probably 75-90% of your wardrobe and early 2000s bands like Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance were the mainstays on your iTunes playlists. Probably rocked side-swept bangs and thought about buying a pair of combat boots for fashion use.
Now wouldn’t it be nice to reminisce on that really fun phase of your life?
Here are 8 Things You Probably Still Remember From Your Emo Phase.
8. My Chemical Romance
Photo by: Alternative Press
Let’s start off strong with one of the icons of the early 2000s emo era.
MCR simply made emo music into a staple that people are still listening to it today. Their album “The Black Parade” is still celebrated today as one of the great emo albums of all time. Who else couldn’t help themselves when “Welcome to the Black Parade” began its iconic opening piano and everyone would just sing along with Gerard Way?
Most people who Way not as the charismatic frontman of the Black Parade, but as the creator behind the newest Netflix series, Umbrella Academy. Way created the comic book the series is based on.
Whatever the case, many people are still hoping for a reunion of the group after their 2009 goodbye.
7. Side-swept Bangs
Photo by: We Heart It
You’d be lying if you ever went through your emo phase and never once considered growing out your hair so you can style it into the side-swept bangs that hid your eyes done up with black eyeliner. You didn’t have to be a girl for this, either! Male or female, you have to admit that, at some point during your emo phase, you tried combing your hair down to rock the signature emo hairstyle.
P.S.: Bonus points for you if you added a non-natural hair color like blue, purple, or pink.
6. Band T-Shirts
Photo from: Pinterest
Nothing completes the emo look better than black t-shirts. Better yet, black t-shirts with your favorite band on them! Edgy, stylish, and a big statement on what you listen to and who you are as a music lover, band t-shirts are a staple of an emo kid’s wardrobe. The best part is that you’ll rarely ever find a band shirt that’s not black.
All you have to do after getting your band shirt is to pair it with your best pair of skinny jeans and you’re set! Bonus points if you pair it with a flannel shirt but it really doesn’t require it, the simpler the better.
P.S.: If you need or are looking for band shirts, the WIM Squad has got you.
5. Shoes
Photo by: Sochim International
Even more bonus points if you add lyrics or art to the shoes like the photo.
As an emo kid, you had/have two choices for footwear. ONLY TWO.
You will rock either a) Converse/Vans sneakers AND/OR b) combat boots.
When it comes to your emo footwear, the higher up it is, the better. That’s why if you can find Converse sneakers that go all the way up to your knees, get them now. Who cares if they’re a pain to put on and take off? They’ll look great with your skinny jeans and a black t-shirt.
Combat boots are great for those who need even more black just because their current outfit is still not black enough.
Now that you’re basic emo outfit is complete, it’s now time to complement that with…
4. Accessories
Photo from: YouTube
It’s time to accessorize.
Classic emo accessories include fingerless gloves, black leather wristbands (personal preference if you want it studded or not), and wide baller bands that feature your favorite emo band.
If fingerless gloves are your thing, you have a whole range of options to choose from. Short or long, striped or plain, lace or not, it’s up to you! Do you know what goes well with these accessories? Black nail polish. Why? Because black nail polish looks cool and works with all the accessories mentioned.
3. All the lyrics you thought about singing to your crush
Emo as a genre of music has clear characteristics of expressive, confessional lyrics. It became the calling card of all emo songs to talk about heartbreak or forbidden love they experience and it manifested to memorable lyrics like the photo, which is a lyric from Escape the Fate’s 2008 song, Harder Than You Know.
If you need any more emo classics, here’s a list (within a list!) of them if you want to reminisce or need to make that Spotify playlist ASAP:
- Faber Drive – When I’m With You
- The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – Your Guardian Angel
- Mayday Parade – Miserable at Best
- Fall Out Boy – Grand Theft Autumn
- My Chemical Romance – I Don’t Love You
- The Cab – Vegas Skies
- Paramore – The Only Exception
- Avril Lavigne – Complicated
- We The Kings – Skyway Avenue
- blink-182 – I Miss You
- Boys Like Girls – Thunder
- Chase Coy – Take Me Away
- Hey Monday – Candles
- Motion City Soundtrack – Fell In Love Without You
2. Pon and Zi
These two adorable characters were hallmarks of an emo phase it’s not even funny. You were more than likely to see a comic strip of Pon and Zi as someone’s Friendster or Myspace banner (remember those!) or the old banners of Facebook profiles before timelines were a thing.
What made them such great characters of emo was the hint of melancholic love in every comic strip they were in. It accurately reflected emo sentiments that everyone just wants to be close to the person they like/love and the things they would do for that special person.
And speaking of iconic imagery for the emo phase…
1. This Image
Photo from: Pinterest
You will always remember this image. Anyone who’s ever been an emo kid remembers this image. This image alone qualifies you for a veteran’s discount.
What do you remember from your emo phase?
