Buzz
Embrace your inner country-rocker (y’all)
Yallternative is a playful subculture that fuses classic country and cowboy aesthetics with edgy elements from emo, goth, and alternative fashion. This trend has gained traction on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, but it actually started making waves nearly a decade ago on Tumblr. In this guide, we’ll show you how to craft your own unique yallternative style, and we’ll also share tips on finding music that captures the vibe perfectly.
What exactly does “yallternative” mean?
Yallternative is a subculture that blends Southern influences with alternative and emo styles. It's all about expressing individuality and creating an inclusive space for marginalized groups. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from mainstream Southern culture (or simply want to dive into the fun), yallternative could be just the thing for you.
How to Get Started
What exactly is the yallternative trend on TikTok?
Yallternative is a cultural blend of Southern and alternative influences. It gives a rebellious twist to the traditional Southern and Southwestern vibes. Yallternative can encompass everything from clothing and accessories to music and attitudes. The key is expressing individuality, making this trend one you can truly personalize.
- Yallternative could merge cowboy culture with goth influences, farm life with emo fashion, or outlaw country with rock—there’s no one right way to approach it.
- If you’re considering embracing the yallternative look, don’t worry about replicating a specific aesthetic—whether you’re more country or alternative, you’ve got it.
- Celebrate diversity—yallternative is all about inclusion, so reflect that in your own style.
The Yallternative Fashion Vibe
Infuse emo and goth elements by wearing black. Emo and goth influences are central to yallternative, so start by layering black items into your look. A favorite black t-shirt, bodysuit, or pants are a great starting point. For a pop of color, pair them with black accessories like boots or a cowboy hat.
- There’s no such thing as “too much black” in these outfits, so feel free to go all in. But don’t shy away from mixing in colorful pieces that nod to the Southern side of yallternative.
- Band tees and black lace are staples in many yallternative outfits.
Balance out your goth look with jeans and denim shorts. Your favorite jeans aren’t off-limits in the yallternative style. If your look is more goth, try pairing flared or straight-leg denim with a large belt buckle. Or, for a more alternative touch, go for black skinny jeans with cowboy boots or denim cut-offs with fishnets.
- Give it a Southwestern touch with a denim vest, or channel classic Southern style with denim overalls.
- Mix in materials like flannel, corduroy, and leather for extra texture.
Switch up your style with different boot options. Boots are essential to yallternative fashion, but as with many elements of this culture, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Boots can become a standout piece in your outfit, so consider how they can complement or contrast with the rest of your look.
- If you’re rocking cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, balance out the classic look with alternative touches, like all-black attire, chunky silver jewelry, or a leather jacket.
- Pair platform goth boots with a sundress and a cowboy hat for an interesting feminine take on yallternative style.
- For a TikTok-inspired look, try combat boots, cut-off shorts, fishnets, and a crop top.
Accessorize with silver, turquoise, and leather jewelry. Accessories complete any look, and jewelry is key in both Southern and alternative styles. Start with simple silver rings or layered necklaces, and then experiment with body chains, belt buckles, piercings, and more.
- Silver is a common choice in yallternative fashion—perfect for both goth, emo, and Southwestern influences. Likewise, turquoise jewelry draws from the Southwest roots of yallternative.
Mix gothic and western accessories to create a distinctive style. Accessories can be the final touch that elevates your yallternative outfit. Think about adding something extra to complete your look, whether it’s a hat, jacket, cross-body bag, belt, or fishnets.
- For a Southern touch, add a classic rodeo belt buckle, a lariat tie, or a denim jacket.
- If you want to emphasize the alternative side, opt for a leather jacket, cuff bracelet, or fishnets.
Enhance your goth look with black eyeliner and lipstick. Try bold black winged eyeliner or go all-in with goth makeup—think dark eyeshadow, black liner, and dark lipstick (either red or black). If you go more goth with your makeup, balance it with traditional clothing to perfect the yallternative style.
- You can also flip the script by pairing classic beauty makeup with a goth-inspired outfit and a cowboy hat.
Show off your tattoos and vibrant hair. If you love colorful hair, side-shaved haircuts, full sleeve tattoos, and facial piercings, wear them confidently. Yallternative celebrates pushing boundaries, so feel free to flaunt bold, edgy styles that might be considered unconventional in some Southern communities.
- If your tattoos, piercings, or hair are particularly daring, balance them with more traditional country clothing to keep the yallternative aesthetic.
Yallternative Music
Create a playlist with all your Southern and alternative favorites. Like many aspects of yallternative, there's no specific genre you need to follow. Feel free to mix and match classic and contemporary country with your favorite emo, goth, and alternative bands. If you're unsure where to begin, here are some artists to get you started:
- Outlaw country: Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr., Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, David Allan Coe, Charley Pride, Jessi Colter, and Steve Earle
- Modern alt country: Turnpike Troubadours, Tyler Childers, Dexter and the Moonrocks, Noah Kahan, Whiskey Shivers, and Colter Wall
- Emo essentials: My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Dashboard Confessional, Panic! At the Disco, Paramore, Jimmy Eat World, and Sunny Day Real Estate
