Emo vs. Scene: Fashion, Music, and Lifestyle Differences

Emo and scene are two subcultures that are often confused with one another. Generally speaking, emo is a subculture rooted in a particular genre of music (punk and post-hardcore) whereas the scene culture is largely rooted in fashion and style choices. The confusion comes from the similar hairstyles and clothing trends in both groups. However, once you learn what details to look for, you’ll be able to recognize the differences instantly. To help break down these differences, we met with style strategist and wardrobe specialist Natalie Tincher to get the lowdown on emo culture (plus what makes it distinct from punk).

Scene Vs. Emo: Key Differences

Emo is a subculture that evolved out of punk. It emphasizes emotional, progressive, and moody music, dark clothing, and countercultural attitudes. Scene is primarily a fashion aesthetic that emphasizes bright colors, rainbows, and punk-inspired clothing.

Section 1 of 6:

What is the main difference between emo and scene?

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Generally, scene is more of an aesthetic, while emo is more of a subculture. There is a lot of crossover between the scene and emo subcultures and aesthetics, but, as a rule of thumb, emo is a comprehensive subculture in the same way that punk, hippie, goth, or hip hop are subcultures. There is slang, music, and politics associated with “emo” culture. Scene, on the other hand, is really just a fashion style—it’s much more malleable, open-ended, and general when it comes to the associated cultural material. ^{[1]
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- Historically, scene developed as an offshoot of emo. The hardcore punk scene was booming in the 1980s, and the term “emo” was coined in 1984 by the band Rites of Spring. ^{[2]
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  Research source} The emo subculture grew, and eventually, a bright, fashion-centric subculture evolved out of that. That became “scene,” which was born in the early aughts. ^{[3]
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Meet the wikiHow Expert

Natalie Tincher is a style strategist and wardrobe specialist who owns BU Style and works as the Global Head of Styling for Bloomberg Television.

Section 2 of 6:

Fashion, Hair, & Style Differences

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Scene is bright and colorful while emo is dark and muted. Scene fashion emphasizes bright, often neon, colors. By contrast, the most popular color choice in emo fashion is black. ^{[4]
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Research source} Tincher says you might see an emo kid wearing “hunky, studded jewelry [and] lug sole boots or classic black Converse sneakers.” ^{[5]
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Expert Source

Natalie Tincher
Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist

Expert Interview} Aside from the color choices, a lot of clothing between the two subcultures can look quite similar. Because of the similarities, scene kids are even occasionally referred to as neon-emos. ^{[6]
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- Scene is more about calling attention to your fashion, while emo fashion prefers blending in and not standing out.
- Scene also takes a lot of cues from anime influences, further pushing their over-the-top and colorful fashion sense.
- Scene fashion also includes cartoon- and animal-printed shirts, tutus, mismatched socks, mismatched leggings, and graphic band shirts.
- Emo fashion has evolved in recent years. Tincher explains, “Emo style has gained popularity again, but the fashions in this style are broader and more individualistic, leaning on the creative style personality and emotional response of the wearer.” ^{[7]
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  Expert Interview}
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Scene hair is often dyed brightly, while emo hair is often dyed black. The scene subculture’s love for neon colors sets them apart from the emo subculture when it comes to hair, although the actual hairstyles themselves are often interchangeable. The number one look for both cultures is based around a long fringe (bangs) brushed over to one side of the head, covering one or both eyes. ^{[8]
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- Emo hair is often dyed black, with stripes of color (usually bleached blond or blue) sometimes added in, and very straight.
- Emo silhouettes are thin, smooth, and flat, occasionally featuring sharp angles and asymmetry. It is popular for the hair in front to be long, while the hair in the back is short.
- Scene hairstyles often include choppy, layered, and teased hair, along with extensions and tiaras.
- Scene hairstyles are exaggerated versions of the emo look, often dyed in a rainbow of neon colors and backcombed to be bigger and fluffier. ^{[9]
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- Hair extensions in bright colors or animal prints are prevalent, especially among scene girls. ^{[10]
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Emo is much more into band T-shirts and musical gear. Both subcultures have ties to music, but emo is far more music-centric than scene. In fact, as a subculture, emo was born out of a musical style with roots in the punk and post-hardcore genres, and scene developed out of emo. As a result, emo is “closer” to its original musical roots. ^{[11]
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- Scene, on the other hand, is usually viewed as a fashion trend or stylistic choice. Many people who opt for a more scene aesthetic basically listen to the same bands as their emo counterparts.
- Because of emo's powerful link to music, tight-fitting T-shirts featuring bands and band names are one of the most commonly seen clothing articles in emo fashion.
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Scene is more likely to have tattoos or piercings. Members of both subcultures tend to have piercings and tattoos, but they are far more prevalent and extensive within the scene culture. Scene kids will commonly have multiple facial piercings and go for more drastic body modifications like ear gauges. ^{[12]
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- Tattoos are popular in emo circles, but there’s less emphasis on piercings.
- Tattoos of stars are considered emo, as well as “sleeves” (full arm tattoos that stop at the wrists).
- Don’t get a tattoo or piercing just to fit into some group you want to be a part of. You do not need ink or needles to be emo or scene—even if other members of these subcultures often have tattoos or piercings.
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Emo is more likely to rock black horn-rimmed glasses and other “nerdy” styles. These are extremely popular in emo fashion for guys. Emo has an undercurrent of “nerd” style running through it, and thick glasses with black frames are key accessories for both genders, but males especially. ^{[13]
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- This nerd-style undercurrent is not present in scene fashion at all.
- The popular choices in scene eyewear are brightly colored sunglasses with very large frames, sometimes referred to as party sunglasses or party shades. ^{[14]
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Section 3 of 6:

Musical Differences

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Scene tilts toward upbeat party music, while emo is more downbeat. The scene culture leans toward “party music” that you can dance to, and the tunes are often electronic. The music is much more pop-oriented and makes great background noise for socializing and having a good time. Emo music, on the other hand, is usually not danceable and is much more rock-centric.
- The typical emo sound is dramatic in its emotional range and often features a dynamic of alternating loud-to-soft extremes. It tends to emphasize emotion rather than socializing and partying.
- Fast, punk-derived drum beats and heavily distorted guitars are also common elements in the emo sound. ^{[15]
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Emo music often covers depressive and emotional subjects. Emo vocals are dramatic in mood and can even occasionally feature screams, moans, and howls. Lyrically, emo musicians are introspective and focus on emotional issues like sadness, confusion, love, anger, and pain. ^{[16]
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- Later emo musicians developed a slightly softer, more mainstream sound, but the lyrical content remained just as brooding and contemplative.
- Scene music does not put any particular emphasis on lyrical content and doesn’t feature the inward-looking, thoughtful vibe that is characteristic of emo.
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Emo culture tends to be a bit more gatekeep-y with its music. Recognizing and listening to the “right” emo bands is a key component of emo culture. Bands are slightly less important in the fashion-centric scene culture, but there are some bands that are overwhelmingly considered to be “scene bands.”
- Key emo bands: Rites of Spring, Embrace, Moss Icon, Drive Like Jehu, Fugazi, Jawbreaker, Sunny Day Real Estate, Dashboard Confessional, Jimmy Eat World, Get Up Kids, The Promise Ring, Brand New, My Chemical Romance, and Fall Out Boy. ^{[17]
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- Notable scene bands: Blood on the Dancefloor, Owl City, Dot Dot Curve, Brokencyde, Scene Kidz, Millionaires, Jeffree Star, and Hollywood Undead.

Section 4 of 6:

Lifestyle & Personality Differences

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The scene culture has a lot of affection for online culture as a whole. This is likely because the scene aesthetic developed at the same time as MySpace, Xenga, and Tumblr. Members of the scene culture tend to spend a lot of time on social media and typically post profile images of themselves that are highly stylized. The details of their lives are often shared frequently via pictures and status updates, sometimes exhaustively. ^{[18]
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Scene tends to be more into gender-bending and androgyny. The scene culture overwhelmingly embraces and celebrates gender nonconformity. The approach is reminiscent of glam rock icons of the 1970s, such as David Bowie. Experimentation in sexuality is commonplace and the lines between genders are often deliberately blurred. Feminine or androgynous looks are favored by all genders within scene culture, with little emphasis on masculinity.
- Emo culture isn’t intrinsically anti-gender nonconformity; it’s just not seen as commonly emphasized or focused on.
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Emo people are more likely to be the moody, brooding types. While the stereotype is frequently overstated, there is a tendency among those who identify as emo to be emotional, sensitive, shy, introverted, withdrawn, and even angsty. This stereotype originated in emo music, which often focuses on similar themes. ^{[19]
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- You are far more likely to see a smile on the face of someone who identifies as scene rather than emo.
- Scene culture focuses on fashion and socializing. Generally speaking, scene kids are more outgoing and friendlier than people who are really into emo culture.
- Emo culture is sometimes criticized for promoting self-harm, suicide, and death in general. This is exaggerated and largely incorrect. A lot of emo’s emphasis on negative feelings is based on the idea that these ugly feelings are ignored way too often. By actually respecting (and celebrating!) those darker feelings, they don’t hold so much power! ^{[20]
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Emo tends to be “artsier” than scene. Members of the emo subculture tend to express themselves via poetry, art, and music. Scene culture communicates largely through fashion and their sense of style. While there are plenty of scene kids who make art, it’s not as common as running into an emo fan who is also creative. ^{[21]
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- Emphasis tends to be placed on visual communication and experimentation in scene culture.
- Emo culture, on the other hand, finds self-expression mostly through music, and to a lesser extent, other types of art.

Section 5 of 6:

How do emo and scene differ from punk?

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Punk was the original movement that created scene and emo. While emo traces its roots to the mid-1980s and scene has its home in the early 2000s, punk goes all the way back to the 1970s. ^{[22]
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Research source} To put it simply, punk culture’s primary goal is to rebel against the status quo with the aim of creating a society that’s more equal, free, and accepting of people who are different. ^{[23]
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Research source} It’s associated with punk rock music, but punk’s energy extends to hip hop, anarchism (as a political movement), street art, independent film, and more! ^{[24]
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- Tincher points out that emo is a subtype of punk rock music by definition. She reminds us that the dictionary literally refers to it as a “style of rock music influenced by punk rock and featuring introspective and emotionally fraught lyrics.” ^{[25]
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  Natalie Tincher
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- You can see how a movement emphasizing freedom and change would give birth to emo, and the scene culture came from that!
- Punk is an extremely broad category and culture. While it’s often associated with spiky hair, ripped jeans, Doc Martens, and smashing electric guitars on stage, the “rules” for what makes someone punk are much looser than emo or scene.

Section 6 of 6:

How do emo and scene differ from goth?

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Goth culture is a specific offshoot of punk rock. Like emo, goth originally was based entirely around a musical genre. Gothic rock emerged around the same time as punk, and it relied on heavy bass, over-the-top vocals, and an extremely deep and dark energy. Goth shares emo’s focus on cultivating respect for people who are seen as “different,” and both subcultures emphasize the darker parts of the human experience. ^{[26]
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- Goth is a little mature as a subculture when compared to emo, so goth fans tend to be a little older on average.
- Despite popular myth, goth people don’t tend to worship the Devil or anything like that. It’s just a type of music and a style.

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Question

How do you know if you're emo or scene?

Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast
Regina has been passionate about the goth subculture for over 10 years. She studied goth fashion and subculture in school and she has worked to fight misinformation and misappropriation about the goth subculture within the media. Regina is active in a range of online communities and wikis, continuing to educate and get exposure for goth music and subculture.

Regina Dunn

Goth Subculture Enthusiast

Expert Answer

Remember that scene is better described as a fashion style which evolved from a range of styles, including emo pop, skater, pop punk, electronic, and crunkcore. There is no genre of music named “scene”, while "emo" is usually associated to different musical genres and sub-genres.

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Question

Are "emo pop" and "scene" the same thing?

Regina Dunn
Goth Subculture Enthusiast
Regina has been passionate about the goth subculture for over 10 years. She studied goth fashion and subculture in school and she has worked to fight misinformation and misappropriation about the goth subculture within the media. Regina is active in a range of online communities and wikis, continuing to educate and get exposure for goth music and subculture.

Regina Dunn

Goth Subculture Enthusiast

Expert Answer

In my view, “emo pop” fashion is essentially scene. The main difference between them are the colors, given that people who tend to consider themselves emo or scene often listen to the same mix of bands.

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Emo vs. Scene: Fashion, Music, and Lifestyle Differences

Scene Vs. Emo: Key Differences

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What is the main difference between emo and scene?

Fashion, Hair, & Style Differences

Musical Differences

Lifestyle & Personality Differences

How do emo and scene differ from punk?

How do emo and scene differ from goth?

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