From Y2K nostalgia to Hello Kitty streetwear: The best in alternative style this month

’Sup K! gang! It’s Kitty. I’m back with another round of alt. style news for you. If you're after a Christmas gift or just want to treat yourself to something fun, we've got pumpkin-coloured skate shoes, checkerboard cardies, Hello Kitty hoodies and much more.

If you're new here, my name's Kitty and I'm a lifelong greebo, emo, hardcore kid who became a fashion stylist. Over the years I've styled music videos and photoshoots for a bunch of your favourite artists – you've probably seen my work on the cover of Kerrang! with acts like Enter Shikari, NOAHFINNCE, Scene Queen and even Fall Out Boy!

I know Halloween was a few weeks ago, but let's be real, Halloween isn't just a day – it's all winter. Even Christmas is spooky in my house! So while we're all getting cosy with horror movies and pumpkin soup on Friday nights instead of going out in the cold, why not do it in style with some of the new drops below. Or if you're getting your Christmas shopping in early, here's some inspo…

OTW is Vans' fancier collection, dedicated to their higher end collaborations and most aspirational designs rooted in skateboard culture. For their latest release they have teamed up with HommeGirls, a bi-annual style magazine and fashion brand with a unisex aesthetic.

The collaboration includes six pieces of footwear and apparel, including a fresh HommeGirls spin on the OTW Sk8-Mid 83 trainers. They've even got some checkerboard boxer shorts, because all unisex-loving peeps love a boxer short, especially in 2024 – they are even worn out and about as shorts these days! There’s also a cotton ribbed tank top with an embroidered Vans skateboard, a vintage-wash long-sleeve crop T-shirt with both the HG and OTW logos and ruffle-hem ribbed crew socks. If there’s one thing that sneaker-loving girls, gays and theys like it's a ruffle sock! I think they have really nailed this collection.

I feel like this one could easily go under the radar as these collabs are often released in small numbers and harder to find, but the collection is available to buy from select OTW retailers now. And if you are in the UK, try Goodhood.

Maison Margiela has managed to infiltrate both the HXC and goth crews with their tabi shoes, and their latest sneaker collab with Salomon is a mosh-pit dream.

You may not look at them and think 'alternative', but if there's one thing us hardcore kids love it's fashion. We want a streetwear-based aesthetic with practical, waterproof, breathable and ultimately gorpcore-esque vibes – perfect for jumping off the stage and going for outdoor hikes with the homies. Obviously, we mix this all with mad amounts of band merch and skate brands, which is why the new MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon footwear drop is perfect.

Debuting as part of MM6 Maison Margiela’s AW collection, the XT-MARY J MM6 MAISON MARGIELA is a kawaii spin on the classic Salomon XT-4 trail running shoe. With a purely performative function, this new silhouette is open deep towards the toes and closes with a single, thin velcro strap. So you can show off some fun socks!

The all-gender shoe is offered in two polar colourways – a vivid version with bold pink and acid yellow with aqua green, or terracotta orange with the Salomon logo flashing like sponsors on a race car. Plus an all-black version, because obviously.

Available now via MM6 Maison Margiela and Salomon and in selected retailers.

The millennials' favourite skateboarder Lucien Clark has released his third collaboration with OG skate brand DC Shoes.

Growing up, we all rocked chunky DCs and now that Y2K fashion is trending it’s a perfect time for a legend like Lucien to be on board (see what I did there?). The pair have actually been collaborating for two years now and it feels like they're just getting started.

The new model reflects Jamaican-born, London-based Lucien’s pathways through life and his appreciation for DC's heritage and design DNA. Apparently, the design concept was “a fresh style that honours the past while illuminating the future”. They'll be illuminating every street you walk down while wearing them with the bold fluorescent orange colourway, that’s for sure.

Every emo girl’s beloved Hello Kitty is celebrating her 50th birthday by collaborating with iconic guitar brand Fender. And alongside a collection of guitar and music accessories, there's also a clothing line full of cuteness.

It’s really important and exciting to see a feminine collaboration – especially one that can be seen as potentially ‘immature’ by some – being championed by a respected guitar brand. Both brands are huge global success stories, but with guitar-based music being so heavily male-dominated and the amount of sexism within the scene, seeing a collection that is so ‘girly’ and pink is a true win for women in rock.

Sure, we don’t always want to be seen as pink and girly, but often that’s just because we want to fit in and showcase that we can be just as hardcore as the men. But it’s refreshing to see a collection including technical gear as well as apparel that actually celebrates femininity.

The apparel collection includes two hoodies, four T-shirts and a cap. The cap and three of the tees feature Kitty playing her Hello Kitty guitar in black, white and pink colourways, while the rest of the collection features a more lowkey logo design for those who want to play it subtle. The designs and colour choices are bold and simple, but make the perfect statement for a casual collab such as this. It’s kawaii-meets-streetwear with a rock’n’roll twist!

It’s been all over social media: checkerboards are the live, laugh, love of the alt. community!

That being said, when done right, you cannot tell me checkerboard print doesn’t slap. For example, the checkers mohair cardigan by Dark Circle, which features a premium design with bold checkerboards, available in a tan/nude or green colourway. The large print on the oversized, unisex silhouette is a true example of why we all love it so much – all made with high quality materials, construction and design.

This is a style that can easily slip between the closets of emos and hardcore kids. The checkerboard print engulfs the whole alt. community, uniting us in one form or another.

Do try to contain yourself and not buy everything checkerboard, though, or you may fall into the live, laugh, love vortex…

Read this next:

• Pest Control: “We’re metal for hardcore people”
• Remington Leith: “If I can still be playing music and touring with my brothers when I’m f*cking 80 years old, I would love that”
• Counterparts: “Metaphorically speaking, I’d like to go to heaven and punch God in the face!”