What Is Emo

The definition of what emo is, both as a music genre, fashion aesthetic, and subculture are debated. The culture is considered to start in the hardcore punk scene of 1980s Washington, D.C., however mainstream emo of the 2000s is at most loosely connected to this movement.
As a Music Genre
The most important records in the development of emo were largely released on vinyl, in small numbers, and with limited distribution, back in the 1980s and 1990s, years before the style became popular.
In the 1990s, indie rock bands like Weezer were considered to be emo.
In recent years, the definition of emo has broadened. Today, some mainstream musical acts like Fall Out Boy are considered to be emo, however some of these bands reject the label.
Still, because these bands often have little connection to the original movement, many people do not consider them emo.
As Fashion
In boys, spiky black hair is considered to be an emo fashion statement.
Girls tend to have short, dyed-black hair with the bangs cut straight across, usually done by the individual herself or by a friend, shunning the processed, rubber-stamped appearance of mainstream hairstyles. Jewelry, including facial and other body piercings, is quite common and is kept as natural as is possible -- wooden and hemp accessories are extremely popular, and are, again, often homemade. Vintage articles are popular.
Emo dress is characterized as distinctly non-fashionable, keeping with the movement's theme of showing little to no interest in all aspects of society. Emo individuals perceive themselves to be outcasts and dress accordingly so as to avoid any appearance of attempting conformity and falling short, making emo a form of anti-fashion.

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