\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/10105801\/dnJldFX.jpg\")
\nThe early 2000s were a strange time, especially when it comes to youth culture and fashion. And the most memorable phenomenon is probably the emo kids. Their unusual style often made adults worry about their future. So, who are those emo kids today?
\n[post_page_title]A different angle[\/post_page_title]
\nEmo kids spearheaded a strange style of photos that can best be described as a selfie in disguise. The goal must have been to look as if someone else had taken the photo by surprise, and the result was often ambiguous.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164224\/NU6y52c.jpg\")
\nThe strange angles, looks of feigned surprise, and complete absence of smiles weren\u2019t always flattering. In this photo, we can see the drastic difference that a relaxed face and a more regular camera angle can make.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Uncovering her face[\/post_page_title]
\nWhat most of us probably remember most about the early \u201800s emo wave is the hair. Pitch black. From pitch black bob cuts to the purple dreads pictured below, emos seemingly had a million ways to express themselves through their hair styles.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164225\/a3wcasd.jpg\")
\nShe looks happier with her more mature style. Perhaps that\u2019s a natural result of not having to hold up what looks like several pounds of purple dreadlocks. Not having those home-cut bangs obscuring her vision at all times probably helps too.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Like night and day[\/post_page_title]
\nIn some cases, the emo style can be so drastic that we hardly recognize the person when they wash the makeup off and adopt a more normal style.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164226\/nlUfUlJ.jpg\")
\nThis girl is a perfect example of someone who looks like two different people before and after. The picture on the left shows a gloomy, almost menacing vibe that tells you to back off, or else. It\u2019s hard to believe that the smiley, friendly-looking hipster woman on the right is really the same person.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Emo teacher[\/post_page_title]
\nHere\u2019s another case of night-and-day transformation. And there\u2019s a heartwarming story behind this one. The girl on the left grew up to become the special education teacher on the right, where her past emo phase would end up becoming a helpful tool.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164228\/wIy7H4d.jpg\")
\nWhen dealing with misunderstood teenagers for a living, connecting must certainly be easier when you\u2019ve gone through your own emo phase in the not-too-distant past. Supposedly, she still likes to rock out to her favorite emo bands to this day.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Smile for the camera[\/post_page_title]
\nIt\u2019s rare to see a picture of an emo kid with a smile on their face. Unsurprisingly, smiling doesn\u2019t fit well with the style and mood of the emo lifestyle.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164229\/vfBMPAh.jpg\")
\nThis is often the most striking difference compared to pictures of the same individuals after their emo phase. Once again, it\u2019s hard to tell that the two pictures portray the same woman. Replacing that dour scowl with a beaming grin makes a massive difference. We hope she\u2019s as happy as she looks.
\n
\n[post_page_title]A different shade[\/post_page_title]
\nMoods, trends, and ideals change over time. This is especially true, and we often find ourselves laughing at our past selves and the choices and statements we made.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164230\/6JtRdA5.jpg\")
\nThis girl is no different, and she admits that her pink hair was a rebellious expression of teenage feelings. Not everyone returns to a non-descript style after their youth subculture phase. This woman found her new personal look in another experimental style, and we must say she looks a lot cooler than before.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Clean cut[\/post_page_title]
\nScowling selfies weren\u2019t the only style of photos that proliferated among emo kids in the early 2000s. Like other similar youth cultures, they had a penchant for artistic photos, ideally taken in grungy settings.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164232\/9FtH2eG.jpg\")
\nAs usual, smiling at the camera was a big no-no, and this distracted look was much preferred. While he seems to have retained the habit of looking away from the camera, this young man has left the emo style behind. While it may not be as artistic, we have a feeling that this sleek look serves him better.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Through thick and thin[\/post_page_title]
\nThere\u2019s something exceptionally cute about couples who stay together through different phases and styles. Looking back at the photo of their rebellious emo days and comparing it to the more mature and natural picture on the right gives us a mushy feeling inside.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164233\/SJtvlkx.jpg\")
\nThey look happy and great together regardless of their particular style, it seems. Rather than growing apart as phases end, it looks like they grew closer together, ending up in some idyllic countryside location like something out of a modern fairytale.
\n
\n[post_page_title]All grown up[\/post_page_title]
\nThose who went through an emo kid phase usually retain different aspects of that lifestyle and integrate it into their adult lives. In some cases, the stylistic elements are fairly apparent.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164234\/c7C7cYk.jpg\")
\nOther times, you can\u2019t tell by looking that someone was ever an emo, but there are other remnants. This woman may have abandoned the fishnets and black eyeliner for a more mature style, but she still considers herself an emo kid at heart. And the music remains in her life.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Hipster?[\/post_page_title]
\nNot everyone who moves on from the emo phase goes back to the typical normster look. Many of us end up with one foot in another subculture or alternative style. This guy is one clear example.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164235\/6xWRa29.jpg\")
\nLeaving the emo game behind, he\u2019s moved into full-on hipster territory. This more relaxed and trendy style makes us wonder if he still cares for emo culture at all. We get the impression that his moods and music tastes changed together with his style.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Emo-lution[\/post_page_title]
\nPhases are highly individual, and so are the results. Some think a full transformation would be like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. For example, this girl simply transitioned toward a more refined and modern form of emo.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164236\/2RppLl0.jpg\")
\nAlthough she grew up to become a post-production assistant and editor, her inner emo kid is very much alive. This goes to show that not every emo kids is an actual child or teenager but might as well be in their mid-20s.
\n
\n[post_page_title]More refined[\/post_page_title]
\nSince the emo style was largely about teenage experimentation with makeup, haircuts, and fashion, the results weren\u2019t always very flattering. Often, the transition back to more mainstream styles revealed a lot of buried radiance.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164238\/uvMxW2c.jpg\")
\nIn abandoning her former messy style, this young woman has gone through a transformation like something out of a cheesy Hollywood movie. Emo kids\u2019 fashion experiments often end up paying off later, and by keeping some piercings she pays tribute to those emo years.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Dogs and nostalgia[\/post_page_title]
\nSome former emo kids remember that phase very fondly, despite the criticism and mockery that was far too common among other youngsters. This dog mom in her mid-20s is no exception.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164239\/Y1Lco8B.jpg\")
\nShe doesn\u2019t consider those emo days some embarrassing teenage confusion but stays rather proud of them. And she has no trouble admitting to following Fall Out Boy to this day.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Still an emo?[\/post_page_title]
\nIt\u2019s hard to define a sharp line between emo and similar styles, especially these days. We\u2019d say this girl has stuck to the emo style into her adult years. The green hair and septum ring certainly support this idea.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164240\/goULftF.jpg\")
\nRegardless of labels, these alternative styles are definitely viable for grownups too. And there are tasteful ways to implement them, as we can see here. We can\u2019t help but wonder what her style will look like ten years from now.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Simpler man[\/post_page_title]
\nWhat about the stars that emo kids looked up to, then? Pierre Bouvier of Simple Plan is one example of an emo icon that\u2019s moved on to a different style.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164241\/xnh31gt.jpg\")
\nOpinions may differ, but we\u2019ve got to say this new style suits him better. Long black bangs may have been a staple of the emo style, but it generally isn\u2019t very flattering to male faces. Perhaps that\u2019s why we didn\u2019t see them as much in the last decade.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Chains or brains[\/post_page_title]
\nHere\u2019s another great example that highlights the strangeness of emo photography. We\u2019re unsure whether the picture on the left was an unwanted surprise photo taken by a family member or a matter of stylistic choices.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164243\/8E3iS9y.jpg\")
\nIt\u2019s impressive how different she looks when looking straight into the camera with a natural smile. Losing the chains. bangs, and pink band shirt definitely contribute to the difference too. We\u2019d say this timeless style with a modern twist definitely suits her better.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Understood at last[\/post_page_title]
\nAs the name implies, the main appeal of emo was how it helped people express those confusing feelings that are hard to verbalize. That\u2019s undoubtedly what made it so popular among the youth of the tumultuous early \u201800s.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164244\/wIk7jJ8.jpg\")
\nHowever, it\u2019s nice to see that these former emo kids have developed into healthy adults who don\u2019t live in a near-constant expression of negative emotions. This man has transformed from a dour loner into a smiling groom, and the happy couple looks great together.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Emo turned veterinary[\/post_page_title]
\nWhat is it about growing up that takes the emo out of these former emo kids? Perhaps this dream of a happier adult life that just isn\u2019t possible as a teenager in society is what\u2019s behind the angst that fuels the emo phase.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164245\/t2MoZ84.jpg\")
\nHere\u2019s another example of a former emo kid who\u2019s now going with a more natural look and smiling at the camera. It\u2019s probably largely because vet school feels more meaningful and wholesome than high school.
\n
\n[post_page_title]After the scowl[\/post_page_title]
\nIn emo photography, looking right at the camera was generally considered bad form. And when an emo did lock eyes with the camera for a photo, it would be with a look of lament or contempt. In fewer words, they had to \u201clook emo.\u201d
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164246\/zcBvXx4.jpg\")
\nThere\u2019s a radical difference between the picture on the left and the one on the right, and it\u2019s mostly about that smile. Looking relaxed and happy may not be fitting for an emo, but we must say it looks better.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Smiley Hayley[\/post_page_title]
\nOne of the more memorable musical acts from the emo era is Paramore, much due to their catchy pop format and their prominent vocalist. Hayley may have been one of the most iconic emos in the mainstream scene, but as we can see, she didn\u2019t stay emo forever.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164247\/TnXBjwX.jpg\")
\nThis change in style also reflects the transformation of the band itself, as they developed a happier sound and lyrics less centered around teenage angst. Hayley may not have been a big proponent of the emo scowl, but she looks happier now.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Somber lumberjack[\/post_page_title]
\nEmo boys usually go through the most drastic transformations. The typical emo boy was a pale, skinny guy who didn\u2019t make much noise. Instead, his main expression was a distinct, gravity-defying hairstyle.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164248\/4Huuixd.jpg\")
\nThey weren\u2019t the type you\u2019d expect to rock flannel, beards, and muscle. Even while looking at the two pictures side by side, it\u2019s hard to believe that they\u2019re the same person. Emo or not, we think the lumberjack look is very fitting, and so is the smile.
\n
\n[post_page_title]He took it back[\/post_page_title]
\nOne of the bigger names among mainstream emo bands was Taking Back Sunday. Their members rocked the typical style where both the hair and sleeves are long and dark enough to keep any sunlight from touching their skin or eyes.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164248\/EPxgVg9.jpg\")
\nAs we can see here, their frontman Adam Lazzara has abandoned the look that once made him famous. Who would have expected these lighter colors and lighter vibes? These days, he looks more hipster than emo.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Fire hazard to firefighter[\/post_page_title]
\nEmos were quite the creative and rebellious lot who seemed ready to go their own way. That\u2019s why it was hard to picture them as adults in a more mundane working environment.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164250\/VEQPAhr.jpg\")
\nPerhaps the emo kids themselves were the most surprised to one day find themselves in that situation. Who would have guessed that the boy on the left would grow into the firefighter on the right? These types of hard, physical jobs are among the last contexts in which we\u2019d ever imagine an emo.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Emo cop[\/post_page_title]
\nPerhaps it\u2019s even harder to picture an emo kid as a police officer. Authority and rules don\u2019t mesh too well with the emo mentality. However, that\u2019s exactly where this former emo ended up.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164251\/L2K1W6W.jpg\")
\nThe clean-cut, uniform-clad cop on the right looks almost like the opposite of his former self on the left. But we have a feeling that he may still sometimes take off the badge, rock some studded bracelets and jump around to his favorite classic emo songs.
\n
\n[post_page_title]From dour boy to soldier[\/post_page_title]
\nAlong with the fire squad and the police force, the military is one of those contexts we wouldn\u2019t associate with emo kids. But here\u2019s an example of someone who made that personal journey. On the left, we see the archetypal emo kid.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164252\/14gjrpo.jpg\")
\nThe rollercoaster haircut, the striped hoodie, the hollow expression \u2013 it\u2019s all there. These days, he rocks a different kind of stripes and a much more mature look. Perhaps a more striking difference is the presence of color in his uniform.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Still some darkness[\/post_page_title]
\nDark may be the primary keyword for emos. Ther dark hair, clothes, and eyeliner often reflected an inner darkness. And even when the emo phase is over, these darker elements are sometimes still present.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164253\/AzSglZx.jpg\")
\nThis girl may no longer have the classic emo look, but dark and muted tones are still the name of the game. In addition, she also has a degree in mortuary science. So, she clearly didn\u2019t lose that fascination with the darker stuff.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Smiles and angles[\/post_page_title]
\nEmos were often shy individuals, and that was a big influence on their overall culture and style. Smiling and making eye contact was pretty uncool in their book. That\u2019s what defined the typical emo selfie look seen on the left here.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164254\/jUdMvHa.jpg\")
\nThe obscure angle, the swoosh of black hair, the colorless clothing, the black eyeliner, and the pale skin \u2013 this is the quintessential emo photo. The direct gaze, beaming smile, and elegant style seen on the right make her look like a completely different person.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Trading emo for Elmo[\/post_page_title]
\nWhen emo kids weren\u2019t in a dour mood and didn\u2019t feel like scowling at the camera, smiling was usually still not on the menu. Instead, they\u2019d often make a face like the one on the left. This has certainly upset a lot of parents around the world.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164256\/ADgwS3f.jpg\")
\nIt\u2019s interesting to see one of these former emos in the role of the average parent. Not only are they hardly recognizable, but we also wonder how they\u2019ll react if their kids start going through similar phases around that age.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Where\u2019s the hair?[\/post_page_title]
\nAFI were one of the most influential bands in the emo scene. And their visual style was every bit as eccentric as one would expect. Frontman Davey Havok had his iconic long, dyed hair.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164257\/CyehcUG.jpg\")
\nIt\u2019s almost shocking to see one of these former emo stars with a more ordinary look. Here, we can see Davey without the heavy makeup and flowing hair. And it\u2019s hard to imagine this professional-looking man was once the artistic vampire wizard on the left.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Heights of transformation[\/post_page_title]
\nAnother example of a day-and-night transformation is JT Woodruff of Hawthorne Heights. At one point, he was the frontman of a major emo band and looked like a proper emo rockstar.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164258\/HB771Dx.jpg\")
\nIt would have been hard to picture him without the band shirts and black hair dye. Yes, the picture on the right is a more recent photo of the same person. This mustachioed hipster look gives us the impression that he\u2019s replaced the angsty music with upcycling, sourdough, and organic coffee.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Used to look different[\/post_page_title]
\nOne of the trailblazing bands of the emo trend was The Used. Their music was a bit rougher and heavier than most of the early emo rock, although their look wasn\u2019t as dark.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164258\/iIQ0rn3.jpg\")
\nThe left picture of their guitarist Quinn Allman is a good example. He looked more like the somewhat emo-like guy who hung out with the emo kids at times than a full-on emo. In the picture on the right, he looks more like he\u2019s one of the emo kids\u2019 dad.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Toning it down[\/post_page_title]
\nSchool uniforms have been a problem for rockers and alternative teenagers for many generations, and emos are a prime example. Expressing their styles required some workarounds, by exaggerating the things they could show, or making the uniform part of their style.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164300\/oiju3Ia.jpg\")
\nWhat\u2019s interesting is that this woman\u2019s current style is really like a more sober, toned-down version of her past emo look. Perhaps she\u2019s still making up for lost time due to the uniform, but this style is very fitting.
\n
\n[post_page_title]He didn\u2019t lose his stripes[\/post_page_title]
\nNext up among the famous emos of yesteryear is Tyson Ritter, vocalist and bassist of All-American Rejects. Their brand of emo was a bit less extreme, and their style matched that hybrid format.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164301\/rMCyKSd.jpg\")
\nThe balance of unkempt and stylish is fitting for teen idols. These days, he has a more clean-cut style that doesn\u2019t look emo at all even though it really hasn\u2019t changed too much. There\u2019s still an unkempt, rebellious, and artistic element to the look \u2013 it\u2019s just matured a bit.
\n
\n[post_page_title]It was just a phase[\/post_page_title]
\nThere\u2019s no doubt that this girl was going through an emo phase. On the left, we see the typical lip piercings, black-and-white stripes, and blinders made of dyed black hair.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164302\/vRnAnmB.jpg\")
\nWhile we doubt that she recognized it as a phase at the time, the picture on the right confirms that it was. A smiley picture with a colorful style taken in nature under direct sunlight is about as far away from an emo selfie as one can get. Perhaps it\u2019s not as original, but it\u2019s certainly a more flattering look.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Suits and screamo[\/post_page_title]
\nWe doubt that emo kids ever pictured themselves as orderly office workers. Suits, neckties, and unoriginal professional-looking hairstyles probably weren\u2019t on their agendas. And yet, that\u2019s where many of them now find themselves.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164302\/Q59Z8Om.jpg\")
\nHe may have lost his wild hairstyle and devil-may-care clothing style, but this tax consultant hasn\u2019t completely abandoned his past emo self. He admittedly still enjoys screamo music and listens to it frequently. Imagining him filing returns at one of the biggest accountancy firms to those tunes puts a smile on our lips.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Upside-down frown[\/post_page_title]
\nSometimes, the difference in style between an emo phase and a later trend or subculture isn\u2019t that big. However, there\u2019s always that one big difference \u2013 the facial expressions. Instead of scowling like she used to, she\u2019s now displaying a radiant smile.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164305\/m7aV7U0.jpg\")
\nPerhaps it\u2019s also because she has more to smile for now. She\u2019s an award-winning baker and breeder of aquatic snails. We bet that\u2019s not the life she pictured during her scowling emo days, but we bet she\u2019d be glad to know about her future self\u2019s hairstyle.
\n
\n[post_page_title]No love for the gloves[\/post_page_title]
\nSome former emos are embarrassed about that phase, but others look back at it fondly. However, there are usually things they question or laugh at. Like this woman, who wonders why on earth she used to wear fingerless gloves in the summer.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164305\/tOUPtP1.jpg\")
\nPerhaps those years provided important inspiration and practice for her future, though. As she\u2019s now a professional hairstylist, we bet that experimental phase helped her develop her skills and ideas. And we\u2019re sure that it\u2019s easier without those gloves.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Overachiever[\/post_page_title]
\nWhen we try to picture an archetypal ideal path for an emo kid, we mostly think of musical and artistic ventures. Science and sports aren\u2019t the first things that come to mind. And yet, that\u2019s the path this particular emo girl ended up pursuing.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164306\/Um3UhC9.jpg\")
\nShe\u2019s now a marathon runner with a degree in biomechanics and movement science from the University of Michigan. Despite her new and brighter style and her different life path, she says that she still enjoys her favorite emo bands on a regular basis.
\n
\n[post_page_title]180 degrees[\/post_page_title]
\nScowls, face piercings, and extreme hairstyles were among the most defining traits of a typical emo kid, and this typical emo selfie on the left showcases them well.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164307\/AqkW74d.jpg\")
\nAs usual, smiling and looking straight at the camera were about as uncool as it gets. It\u2019s nice to see that the somber expression gave way to a liberated smile when the emo phase ended. It almost looks like his hair recoiled and went the exact opposite direction from his former style.
\n
\n[post_page_title]Emo dad[\/post_page_title]
\nWhile the emo era may not seem like it was very long ago, it\u2019s been over a decade already. Many former emos are now parents. Here\u2019s one such emo-dad transformation.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/03164308\/sxDt8zo.jpg\")
\nOn the left, we see a serious and dour look and an attempt to convey deep emotions. There\u2019s something pessimistic about it. Therefore, we\u2019re glad to see the contrast. Look at that beaming happy father out in nature with his colorfully clad baby. Thankfully, the dour vibe was just a phase.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The early 2000s were a strange time, especially when it comes to youth culture and fashion. And the most memorable phenomenon is probably the emo kids. Their unusual style often made adults worry about their future. So, who are those emo kids today? [post_page_title]A different angle[\/post_page_title] Emo kids spearheaded a strange style of photos that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":90272,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-90245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n