The Contemporary Indie Uniform

Menswear’s got a fresh rock ‘n’ roll agenda, and it’s being pedalled by a slew of high-end designers this season – most notably Saint Laurent’s Creative Director, Hedi Slimane.

But while the new indie-rock aesthetic is still about constructing interesting, monochromatic looks from head to toe, the vibe has moved on from the skinny ties and side-sweeping fringes of your mid-teens. Today, ‘indie’ is sophisticated, and has a more eclectic feel to it that fuses influences from grunge, punk and rockabilly subcultures.

What’s more, the contemporary indie uniform is much easier to wear than you might initially think. Sure, the focus remains on skintight fits and an abundance of leather, but just check out the key pieces that underpin the trend, below, and see how simple it is to segue into the indie cult this spring.

Skintight Jeans

Back in the post-punk days of the early 1980s, indie kids used to sit in hot baths with their jeans on to achieve second-skin levels of snugness. Thankfully, in 2015, denim with high elastane content is now par for the course, so securing a pair of jeans that hug you tight doesn’t require any uncomfortable time in the tub.

For a contemporary take on the indie trend, scoop yourself a pair of stretch jeans with some artfully distressed sections (knee rips are optional).

Remember: if they don’t compromise your testicular health, they’re probably not tight enough.

Photo: Allsaints

Get The Look

Print Cigarette Jeans, available at AllSaints, priced £88.

Photo: AllSaints

The Leather Jacket

At the risk of mixing up our musical subcultures, a classic leather bomber jacket is key to nailing the contemporary indie look.

And a biker is the perfect silhouette. Timeless, edgy and effortlessly cool, a black leather biker will never fall out of fashion, so you will get good use out of it for many years to come.