How to Dress at the End of the World
This opening photo of an outfit in the urban nomadic style by designer Nicholas K is a bit more futuristic and not as down and dirty as post-apocalyptic style normally is. But interpreting styles to make them your own in a modern way according to your tastes is what the fashion game is all about. This way, age doesn’t matter because you just tweak the look the way you like. Keep this in mind as you check out the key concepts of how to dress at the end of the world!
How to Dress at the End of the World: Post-Apocalyptic Style
I like post-apocalyptic style; how about you? I’ve always loved black for its edginess and although I’ve been trying not to keep buying black, I still love it. I love futuristic novels and mythology and these influence the post-apocalyptic look. I used to be a member of an avant-garde performance group, so I enjoy the dramatic, avant garde, arty aspects of this style too. It also has a grunge factor, which can add some comfort to what you’re wearing (as in a plaid shirt or black sweatshirt). The post-apocalyptic look crosses over into Gothic, and also has an air of punk to it and a hint of rocker chic…all looks I love.
Other aspects of getting dressed in this Dystopian world would be dramatic, creative, layered, draped and monochromatic. The look is a mash-up of different styles, all hinging on the theme of survival at the end of the world.
So I hope you will take what you like about this style and make it your own.
Now I don’t look like this every day, and you probably wouldn’t guess what inspired my final outfit either if I based it on these style influences. But I like the idea of creating new outfits with these elements as inspiration.
Debbie at the Fashion Fairy Dust style blog shows us how it’s done:
The world after apocalypse is a dark and gloomy concept. So the survival clothing colors are usually black and gray and occasionally brown, burgundy, olive (for the fight for survival) and white (for those who aspire to go to heaven on judgment day).
The materials used can be: loose knits, velvet, leather (tops, bottoms, cover-ups, and accessories). To finish it off, it’s trimmed in leather, silver hardware, and mesh or nylon insets.
Of course, there are lots of other elements that can be incorporated, like maxis, flowing tank tops and eye-catching accessories.
What Types of Clothing Create This Style & Why?
Since survival at the end of the world is the key idea that originated this style, these are some of the things that you can incorporate into your outfits on the dark side:
- rugged, ripped and distressed clothing of any type (because you are fighting for your life)
- hoodies (for hiding from danger)
- asymmetrical clothing (because there are no longer stores to buy new, symmetrical clothes so you wrap yourself in tattered pieces of cloth)
- faux furs (for keeping warm in the urban jungle)
- khaki anything (for survival in the desolate landscape)
- studs and spikes on anything (to fight off unwanted advances)
- sensible footwear such as combat boots (for rugged terrain and fighting off men)
- high-top sneakers (for long hikes)
- camouflage (for hiking and hiding in the woods)
- military-styled clothes (for protecting yourself)
- fingerless gloves maybe even in leather with studs or chains (to stay warm while you’re out foraging)
- arm warmers and leg warmers (to fill in the gaps in a destroyed wardrobe)
- faux leather anything (it protects you from the elements and makes you look tough)
- anything with lots of pockets (because you are scavenging for things to help you survive)
- feather accessories (because you probably find feathers on the ground out in the wild)
- chains of all sorts, including slave bracelets (for when you are enslaved)
- shark’s tooth or bison tooth necklaces (because you’ve got to hunt to stay alive)
- skulls on t-shirts, scarves and jewelry (to commemorate those who were lost)
- and of course gas masks (which we are going to totally ignore here because they’re not pretty).
An Outfit Formula For Post-Apocalyptic Style
If you start combining draped knits in one color or tone, you can get the hang of it.
At her style blog, You Look Fab, Angie Cox gives a formula to help put together the post-apocalyptic look. Here are the components:
Bottoms: Choose a pair of leather or pleather skinnies. If you don’t have those, regular black skinny pants will do — either full length or cropped. Black harem pants are the next best silhouette. If you don’t have those, black joggers or upscale track pants will work just fine, especially when you pull them up to create a scrunched effect at the lower leg.
Layered Tops: Layer an asymmetrical drapey topper over a similarly asymmetrical drapey top in the same color or tonal colors. Sometimes you can layer three pieces over one another for a fab effect. Layer short over long, long over short, or keep the layers a similar length. Some of the items can be VERY long and voluminous. Their asymmetrical hems give them structure.
To create structure you can add a black waist-cinching obi belt when the pieces are soft and floppy…
Footwear: You’re after fairly severe black footwear. Think pointy toe pumps or loafers. Peep-toe booties, chunky flatform sandals and buckled sneakers.
Accessories: Finish off the outfit with a black handbag. Think angular clutch, upscale backpack or slouchy satchel. A slouchy black beanie is a good choice for headgear. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.
Angie adds: “I haven’t included skirts and dresses here because those are a little more complicated to incorporate, but feel free to experiment with those pieces too. And if you’re after post apocalyptic lite, substitute the bottoms for blue jeans and add a handbag in a colour other than black.”
A Few Outfit Ideas Based on Post-Apocalyptic Style
- Wear riding boots with a black maxi dress or a black knit kaftan. Add a cuff + temporary tattoos, unless you already have enough. You might also like to belt in black leather.
- A black drape-front and/or asymmetrical cardigan + a black tunic + black leggings. Add black heels + a hefty chain necklace.
- An olive utility jacket over a black asymmetric-hem tunic + black faux leather leggings. Add high-top sneakers.
- A gray duster over a black tunic and black leggings. Add rugged boots + fingerless gloves. Layer metal necklaces (spikes, studs, arrowheads, chains, skulls, crosses, etc.)
- Pair a camel-color camisole + ivory cargo pants. Add a long chain necklace + stud earrings + rings + chunky boots. Layer a faux leather cuff with a silver bangle. If cool, add a topper in a toned color.
Nicholas K cloak over black - A long-sleeve black tunic + black leggings + a teal cloak or cape + black heeled boots. Or, wear this outfit in any neutral color combination.
- Top a brown wrap dress with a teal cloak or cape (or use black and/or gray, etc.) You might like to put the hood up on the cloak/cape if it has one.
- A) A leopard-print maxi dress + a leopard-print jacket or coat. B) Any animal-print maxi dress + any animal-print jacket or coat. C) Any faux fur jacket or coat over a matching-color maxi dress.
Let’s Connect!
Do you like post-apocalyptic style? Have you tried it, or are you willing to? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Like this style? You might also want to read “How to Be Warm, Sexy and Edgy in Leather Pants.”
Do you have a friend who would like this? Please use the Share buttons below.
Get my free Style Guide on “How to Wear Scarves in Your Outfits.” Send your request by clicking “Subscribe” in the form at top, or fill out the form for my newsletter on the right. That would be a great help in supporting my blog!
Please follow Your True Self Blog on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Bloglovin.
Thank you for visiting Your True Self Blog!
Angie
Related posts:
Outfit Combinations, Style Inspiration
Apocalyptic Style, Avant Garde, Futuristic, Gothic, Grunge, Post-apocalyptic, Punk, Rock Chic, Urban Nomadic
I’m too short for most of these but I love aspects of it. I’ve always loved hoods on clothing and I’m drawn to them. I wear these darker colors most of the time. I sure hope though that I never have to live through times when these are my only choices.
I hope you get some outfit ideas from this exploration of apocalyptic style!
These are such fierce post-apocalyptic fashions! I love this!
Thanks for letting me know!
I love these edgy fashions, though I doubt I could pull them off. Regardless, what a strange place the world and fashion world are in!
What a great insight! Thanks for sharing your reaction. It’s very interesting to me. But let me encourage you to break all chains in your mind and allow yourself to try new things that interest you. If you like edgy fashion, try adding just one thing to your outfit and see how it feels. I guarantee you that when you are thinking apocalyptic fashion in your mind, it’s just an outline for your outfit. Once you’re dressed, probably no one will know that’s what it is. When I’ve done it, I ended up looking normal. It’s just a formula, or just an accessory perhaps. Enjoy!