It wasn’t too long ago that the hashtag#teenagedirtbagwas trending on TikTok.
The hashtag includes thousands of posts with throwbacks dating back to the ’60s.
Despite the range of eras, we noticed one consistency throughout them all teenage dirtbag style.
Oversized and ripped clothing will always be cool.
This is especially true today now thatthe indie sleaze aesthetic is bringing ’90s grunge rock vibes back.
Instagram user@taniceelizabethgave a perfect example of how it’s done.
Instagram user@michellefleurposted a photo of her and@amaka.hamelijnckwearing cropped halter tops.
They look like they’re living their best lives, vacationing by the beach in Barcelona.
While @michellefleur wears a triangular sparkly halter, @amika.hamelijnck opts for a sleek cream-colored halter with cutouts.
Bikini tops
Who says bikinis are just for the beach?
When you’re a teenage dirtbag, customary rules like this get thrown out the window.
Painter jeans
In most contexts, spilling paint on yourself would be an accident.
More proper folk would think you’ve ruined your pants, making them unsuitable for the public eye.
But when you make it look intentional, you’re just a teenage dirtbag.
Instagram user@megatronhatesyouwore her painter jeans with a zip-up hoodie and chainlink.
If you’re feeling crafty, you’re free to even make your own pair.
One of her go-tos that is particularly nostalgic of the teenage dirtbag years is the oversized leather jacket.
It’s a laid-back fit, and it’s leather.
How much cooler can it get?
Channel your inner angst and get yourself some preppy-looking oxfords.
If they are black platforms, you get bonus points in the grunge department.
Instagram user@_chaantallwears hers with a monochrome white outfit and thick crew socks.
One-shouldered top
One-shouldered tops have been in trend for a while now.
And this is probably for a good reason.
The unique asymmetrical line can spice up any simple fit.
Instagram user@sophiakelly’s all-black look proves this to be true.
This fit can double up for a coffee run or a low-key night out.
Those days are long over.
However, the mom jean still carries an edginess.
If you want to commit to the teenage dirtbag aesthetic, wear your jeans with some sizable rips.
The knees or back of the upper thigh are all optimal places for a good tear.
Instagram user@jainaazaleawears the ideal pair.
They look worn in but are perfectly sized for a flattering fit.
Instagram user@oliviapezzentewears an adorable plaid, sleeveless bodycon dress.
She throws a dark-washed jean jacket over it, andvoila, the look is dynamic and edgy.
Knee-high cowboy boots
The movie “Footloose” is an iconic romanticization of the teenage dirtbag experience.
In a stuffy, small town that’s outlawed dancing, a bunch of teenagers does exactly that.
Cowboy boots have a free-spirited, Wild-West nostalgia to them.
And, the knee-high, heeled shoes pair with shorts or a skirt for an indisputably stylish look.
But again, for whatever reasons, the baggier, the cooler.
Instagram user@rachelxkammwears a reflective pair, making her cargo pants look a tad bit sporty.
Worn with pointy high heels and a crop top, the combination is both edgy and dressy.
For older generations, it’s considered lingerie, but for teenage dirtbags, it’s the perfect sundress.
Instagram user@yolandainthecityposes for her feed in a delicate, floral-print slip.
With wired cups lined in lace, her dress makes for the perfect flirty, feminine springtime outfit.
Motorcycle jacket
Need we say more?
This jacket style has “motorcycle” in its name, giving it immediate teenage dirtbag status.
Every ’90s ingenue who rebelled from her parents was caught on the back of a motorcycle.
Think “What a Girl Wants” or “Chasing Liberty.”
Instagram user@themamalopezwears her motorcycle jacket over a simple tank and black leather pants.
Combined with black sunglasses and sneakers, she has definitely channeled her inner teenage dirtbag.
It’s a cliche, but a cliche for a reason.
If you want to put a teenage dirtbag spin on the LBD, go for a bodycon mini dress.
Instagram user@nicollefigueroaaposted a photo showing how this minimalist style can really do the most.
The boyfriend cardigan
There istotallya teenage dirtbag spectrum.
Instagram user@ivy_nicolee’s grey, argyle plaid sweater is the perfect example.
Like the slip dress, older folks consider the corset a scandalous undergarment.
Cinching in your waist and highlighting your curves, the corset is definitely on the sexier side.
But considering how adorable it looks, it should by no means be kept out of the public eye.
The school skirt
Schoolgirl skirts are a closet staple of the teenage dirtbag.
They are traditionally intended to be a preppy, bougie part of private school uniforms.
But when these mini skirts are put into streetwear, they add the perfect flirty edge.
Combined with not-so-preppy attire, they become a symbol of rebellion against the stuffy institutions the design came from.
What could be more angsty?
The letterman jacket
Ah, you thought we were done with the oversized jackets!
We swear this is our last, but we guarantee it is definitely not the least.
The letterman is a standard American high school jacket.
It has the design of a bomber jacket but reads as preppy and old school.
Instagram user@pollyroseyposted a photo demonstrating how versatile this staple is.
Layering this masculine-looking, casual jacket over a long white skirt, she strikes a perfectly stylish juxtaposition.
The bucket hat
Bucket hats were totally designed for enthusiastic class clowns and slackers.
Since they’re associated with ’90s rappers, they also carry a kind of swagger.
Instagram user@by.regiinawears her bucket hat with a bikini top and open button-down.
It’s the perfect accessory when you want to add some character to your look.
They can be dressy, casual, and everything in between.
