Subversive and Cyber Fashion
Who said sci-fi can’t influence fashion?
by ALIANA JOHN ★ MARCH 29, 2023
The rise of Subversive and Cyber fashion has been taking over the media. Nowadays it’s all about the cut, asymmetrical designs, holes, and wrap-around shades. A style that once used to be laughed at for its unique layering and cuts is now your favorite’s newest fashion inspo.
Recently re-popularized by Mugler in 2021, subversive fashion serves as a gender-bending and dystopian type of fashion all about sustainability. It’s very easy to create an outfit within this trend as sustainably is the main part of this style, as it promotes upcycling and being creative. This DIY fashion makes it very accessible to anyone as it looks elevated by neutral-toned simple garments, almost like the revival of Y2K fashion. With that being said unique basics are essential and the input of cutouts, layering, shifting symmetry, and unconventional straps. Subversive fashion is very body conscious in a way that adapts to the world today. This style is partially known for contouring the body by using fabrics, as demonstrated by Casey Cadwaller, known for his neckline cutouts and symmetrical strapping in crop top trends.
Subversive fashion is always evolving. Instagram Influencers like Tomira (@tomira) and Aliyah (@aliyahsinterlude) are great examples of the multitude of possibilities within subversive fashion. More recently we have been seeing the addition of hats, vintage shades, and oversized crossbody bags to this genre of fashion.
The best part of this style is that, as stated before, you can easily do it yourself and switch up your look. You know those pants you order that ended up being too big for you? Don’t send it back! Pair them with a belt or even a drawstring to tighten the waist area, then throw on a corset you have laying around. Ripped your fishnet top after partying too much last night? Put a tight-fitted top underneath it and start layering. There is no wrong way to do this look. Be innovative. Your creativity and imagination will always win in the end.
If you’re not feeling the past, let’s step into the technology-filled future. The opposite of the dystopia that surrounds subversive fashion, is the Matrix-inspired futuristic utopia world that has recently been shaping fashion as well. Popularized by the now-controversial Balenciaga, Cyber fashion started off recently as a sleek black look with metallic garments, featuring signature wrap-around or mirrored shades. Futuristic footwear plays an important role and would typically be platformed shoes with unique designs, and geometrics.
Like many genres of fashion, it has been evolving. People have taken it a step further by adding more accessories to their AirPod Max, and incorporating more colors. 18-year-old designer Offgod recently blew up when he was just 17 years old for his AirPod Max attachments that contributed immensely to the overall vibe of subversive fashion, promoting the technophile approach of cyber fashion and for others to design their own attachments.