Draft:Alt-girl or Alternative girl

• Comment: The sources, at least the Vogue one, appear to not actually exist (the Russian ones couldn't be verified as there was neither an original title nor a link). Did you use a large language model like ChatGPT to generate the article? They can easily create fictitious references. Chaotic Enby (talk · contribs) 22:09, 10 October 2024 (UTC)

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The Alt-Girl, sometimes called Alternative Girl and in Russian - альтушка (altushka), is a cultural-aesthetic archetype that became highly noticeable in the 2020s. The alt-girl represents a countercultural way of life expressed through distinctive fashion, interests, and worldviews that deviate from mainstream trends.

The term "altushka" originally spread as part of the internet memes ecosystem in the Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking internet, often related to various aesthetic and lifestyle currents rejecting traditional standards of beauty and behavior.

Overview

The alt-girl is a contemporary figure of counterculture, combining elements of punk, emo, goth, and indie. It aligns fully with an attitude of rebellion against societal expectations. The term 'altushka' in the Russian-speaking context sounds alike but originates from internet meme culture. The alt-girl displays an experimental approach to fashion, non-conformist views, and a predilection for niche music, art, and hobbies.

This includes a variety of subcultural influences, from skater punk to goth and soft girl aesthetic—things that have been reimagined inside the realm of the internet. This alt-girl archetype is an important angle on identity among members of that generation, particularly on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. They can be identified by their eclectic style, which may feature piercings, bold hairstyles, vintage clothes, and a mix of gender-nonconforming touches.

Fashion and self-expression are the most common mediums through which messages of individuality, creativity, and resistance to societal expectations are projected by alt-girls.

Aesthetic and Fashion

The aesthetic of alt-girls draws heavily from subcultures like punk, goth, emo, and scene with the addition of elements of kawaii culture or even more futuristically themed cyber aesthetics. Themes common to alt-girl fashion include:

• Hair: Unusual and bright colors, often dyed in shades like green, blue, and pink, or a mix of colors. Haircut styles range from shaggy mullet types to blunt bangs, often using extensions or clip-ins.
• Makeup: Alt-girls use bold makeup with heavy eyeliner, dark lipstick, and experimental designs like graphic eyeshadow or face stickers.
• Fashion/clothing: The style in fashion is a mix of various genres, including band tees, oversized hoodies, fishnet stockings, torn jeans, platform boots, chains, chokers, and beanies, which are used as accessories.
• Accessories: Body piercings, tattoos, chunky boots, and distinctive jewelry such as chokers or chain belts are also common.

Alt-girl fashion encourages eclectic experimentation with both masculine and feminine elements; it often embodies a do-it-yourself ethos: modification of clothes to make one's unique statement.

Origins and Spread of the Concept

The concept originates from early 2000s subcultures—emo, scene, and punk—which fought against mainstream culture with music and fashion. The term "altushka" gained popularity in meme culture circles in Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking internet culture around the year 2023 on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

The term "altushka" is often used humorously and reflects an exaggerated view of girls who adopt alternative appearances. The altushka trope found its inspiration in the reaction to the stereotypical gender roles found in slavic culture, celebrating women who were unafraid of diverging from conventional standards of beauty and behavior.

The resurgence of alternative fashion and lifestyles in the 2020s merged with the rising influence of social media, a key vehicle for propagating the image and identity of the alt-girl. This aesthetic represents community and belonging for young people as a visual and ideological rebellion against the mainstream.

Alt-Girls in Popular Media

Alt-girls are featured frequently in popular culture, especially in media that relies more on visuals, like movies, TV series, and music videos. The word "altushka" has been used in memes and visual novels; one example is Altushka for Skuf, which humorously contrasts the skuf and altushka archetypes.

Western television often portrays alt-girls as rebels, creative, or misunderstood characters who are either protagonists or secondary characters challenging social norms. Movies like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and TV series like Euphoria showcase specific alt-aesthetics, which influence real-life trends.

Comparison to Other Similar Sub-Cultures

The alt-girl has some parallels with a number of other subcultures, including:

• Emo/Scene Girls: The alt-girl has significant overlap with emo and scene styles—a love for expressive fashion, colorful hair, and an emotional worldview often flirting with nihilism.
• Punk Girls: Like punk girls, alt-girls embody defiance of social expectations; however, punk fashion is usually more aggressive and focused primarily on anti-establishment symbolism.
• Goth Girls: Many alt-girls incorporate goth-emo fashion elements, from dark-colored clothes to dramatic makeup. However, they tend to be eclectic and less constrained by dark or Victorian-based fashions.
• E-Girls: Emerging in the late 2010s, the e-girl aesthetic shares much in common with the alt-girl, particularly bold makeup and social media as a medium; e-girls, however, often emphasize anime and gaming culture.

Criticism and Reception

The alt-girl identity has received mixed reactions. For many, it represents a celebration of individuality and creative expression, allowing people—especially young women—to express themselves with alternative aesthetics without judgment. However, it has also faced criticism for becoming overly commodified; as the alt-aesthetic has been co-opted by big brands in mainstream fashion and social media influencers, accusations of inauthenticity have followed.

The term "altushka" has often faced discrimination; critics argue that it enforces stereotypes about non-conforming women or reduces their individuality to exaggerated visual traits. Nevertheless, many altushkas adopt the term humorously, making it a badge of pride symbolizing independence and rejection of traditional standards.

See also

• E-Girls and E-Boys
• Emo and Scene Subcultures
• Punk Subculture
• Goth Subculture

References

1. **PseudoEsthet** (April 24, 2024). Skuf and Altushka: From Meme to 'Game of the Year'. Forpost-Afisha (ru-RU). Retrieved July 22, 2024.

2. Visual Novel 'Altushka for Skuf' Will Soon Get a Major Expansion with New Altushkas. ixbt.games (in Russian). Retrieved July 22, 2024.

3. **Smith, Lauren** (March 15, 2023). The Rise of the Alt-Girl: A New Wave of Alternative Aesthetics. Vogue. Retrieved May 5, 2024.

4. **Dante, Eliza** (March 5, 2024). Altushka: Russian Subcultures in the Digital Age. RTVI (in Russian). Retrieved May 5, 2024.