This khaki heavyweight parka is typical of artists of the genre.

It is primarily reflective of the both the mod style of fashion that was prominent during the rise of the genre in the late 70s, and is likely to be seen on artists such as Liam Gallagher, Jake Bugg and Damon Albarn. The reason a khaki parka is so iconic as an emblem of indie rock may be down to its simplicity, and the fact it is primarily designed for protection in a rugged climate its simple, serves its purpose, and looks casual enough to make it seem like it was made/worn with minimal effort, and this is entirely reminiscent of the style of music it embodies. Furthermore, the colour is military-esque, and this style of military clothing/colour is also evident in a large majority of bands and artists in the genre; perhaps it is utilised ironically, as the rebellious nature of indie rock contrasts with the strict conformation to routine and government that is expected in the military. In the 1960s UK, the fishtail parka became a symbol of the mod subculture. Due to their practicality, cheapness and availability from army surplus shops, the parka was seen as the ideal garment for fending off the elements and protecting smarter clothes underneath from grease and dirt when on the scooter.

The classic torn denim jacket is hugely symbolic of the rougher side of the indie rock genre, something I wish to advocate in the band I am displaying on my front cover. Similarly to the parka, denim used to be seen as a cheap option most commonly associated with workers and the lower classes, despite the toughness and endurance of the denim itself. Indeed, it is this toughness and endurance that cemented it as a staple of fashion, and the plain aspects of its material meant it could be adapted to fit numerous genres but mainly contributed to the rock, or indie rock, genre, especially with the torn design displayed here. It symbolises The rough and simplistic nature of the music it advocates, and the torn, frayed sleeves and shoulders indicate an attitude that suggests that the wearer doesnt care about their appearance; something common of the indie rock genre. Moreover, the torn fabric suggests rebellion, and how the music itself is a sign of rebellion in that it doesnt care about social expectations or how thing should look. Artists that can be seen in denim jackets are DArcy Wretzky (of the Smashing Pumpkins), Hayley Williams, Alison Mosshart and Karen O.

A chequered shirt is a prime example of what a typical indie rock artist may be likely to wear. Again, it illustrates the mod style of fashion that is still prominent within the music world today, and the vast array of chequered designs and colours allow for individuality and thereby serve as a way for an artist to express the music they play through their style. Likewise, the fact that this particular woven shirt is made by Fred Perry epitomises this idea of mod fashion, as Fred Perry has always been the ultimate staple/symbol/supplier of mod fashion due to its distinct British heritage and idolisation of British youth culture. Fred Perry clothing was, and is, widely worn by a substantial amount of iconic bands, such as The Who, Oasis, Beady Eye, Small Faces and the Vaccines. Subsequently, the origins of a chequered shirt are also interrelated to lower class up-and coming culture, commonly associated with the lower middle class and those who might live in the city, or suburbs of the city and if indie rock music is aimed for any particular areas, it would be these, for the grit and rough style of living found there. Furthermore, chequered shirts manage to lack formality aesthetically, as opposed to a plain or striped shirt, which consequently adds to the casual nature of indie clothing.

Female tops in indie rock are the epitome of casualness, with slightly more emphasis on accessories and outerwear. Consequently, a loose-fitting vest would be fitting for the genre (PUN) as it allows the female wearer to maintain a sense of casualness, showing that the focus should be placed on the music as opposed to the appearance of the music artists. Furthermore, the slogan emblazoned on it FUCK THE FUTURE- is a perfect emulation of the carefree, rebellious aspect of the more rock-orientated aspect of the genre, showing how a casual appearance is simultaneously representative of the wild, liberal, free sound of the music and also the message that the songs of the particular artist is trying to convey. Also, the slogan itself FUCK THE FUTURE conveys how rebellious the music has the potential to be, and how the genre emphasises the importance of living in the moment and not worrying about the future. Moreover, the fact that the vest was made by Drop Dead clothing (an independent label created by the rock frontman Oli Sykes) illustrates how the artists in the genre tend to move away from the mainstream in terms of both music and fashion, and there are numerous artists who promote this label, including Justin Young (The Vaccines) and Orlando Weeks (The Maccabees).

Skinny, dark jeans are often seen being worn by male artists. The skinniness of the jeans is one of the only elements of fashion that suggests that indie rock models/artists actually take note in their appearance, and this is primarily seen in more modern indie rock bands due to the softer, more glamorised style of the music they play. (It is unlikely to see skinny items on classic bands such as The Verve and The Libertines). Likewise, the jeans worn are usually dark to contrast with the almost feminine aspect of the jeans, in order to add edginess to a thrown-together kind of look. Bands such as The Maccabees, The Vaccines, and The Teenagers are likely to advocate such jeans.

Plaid leggings are quintessentially quite similar to the male chequered shirt, in that the chequered or plaid design is usually associated with the lower class although not usually applied to leggings. The unconventional use of this particular design on modern leggings suggests that the typical standards of the rebellious side of the indie genre are being upheld in a unique and individual way; reflecting how the music is rooted in indie rock tradition but singularly unique at the same time. Furthermore, the red and black and white colouring emphasises contrast while containing matching elements simultaneously, which assists in the reinforcement of the previous point. Red itself is an aggressive colour, commonly associated with rebellion or blood, and black conjures images of edginess and darkness, and the white tones it down, which insinuates that the music will be contained with its aspects of rock. It is very likely that artists such as Hayley Williams, Karen O, Meg White and early PJ Harvey would have worn leggings/trousers similar to these that are shown. Subsequently, the almost masculine chequered/plaid design is contrasted with the tightness of the leggings, demonstrating that femininity is not lost within the genre, although it may be suppressed by the hugely masculine elements of the music being played.