Alt-Babes Defining The Alternative

If you have come across the term "alt babe" on the internet or TikTok, you may be curious about its meaning. Alt-babe, whether spelled with or without a hyphen, refer to babes, or girls or women who enjoy non-mainstream music and embrace alternative fashion, often incorporating thrifted clothing, dyed hair, and creative or playful makeup. It's important to note that not all alt-girls have identical styles or interests. Continue reading to discover more about this internet subculture that has gained popularity on TikTok.

Alt Babe Fashion

Individuals known as alt-babes, short for alternative babes, are a subset of the internet subculture that commonly refers to babes or young women (18+) who embrace goth, emo, metal, or other alternative styles. Alt-babes frequently exhibit rebellious behavior and resist mainstream culture through their clothing, musical preferences, and demeanor. Their fashion sense typically incorporates elements of punk, goth, emo, indie, and e-girl styles, often featuring dyed hair, piercings or tattoos, and attire sourced from thrift stores or of a darker nature.

Although “alt-babe” is the name of the punk internet aesthetic, people of any gender might call themselves alt-girls or alt-people.

How To Spot An Alt Babe

Alternative girls tend to dress in oversized, second-hand, or dark attire paired with chunky footwear. As an alternative girl, you may opt for oversized grunge-inspired shirts, loose-fitting pants, fishnet stockings, comfortable flannel shirts, black crop tops, black skirts, and other punk and gothic clothing pieces. Completing the edgy look often involves wearing chunky combat boots and multiple layered necklaces. Additionally, alternative girls may accessorize with chokers, nose rings, various piercings, and an array of eclectic tattoos. Some may identify with the soft-alt style and incorporate hints of pastel colors, while others may prefer the fairy grunge aesthetic featuring earthy tones and flowing dresses.

Alt-girls frequently sport thick eyeliner and dark lipstick. If you identify as an alt-girl, you may opt for dramatic makeup that challenges conventional beauty norms. Typically, alt-girls like to try out dark, heavy eyeliner, dark lipstick tones, and sometimes incorporate neon or pastel colors. For those leaning towards the e-girl aesthetic, adding a touch of blush or pink eyeshadow to the nose tips can create a more cartoonish, feminine appearance.