In 1984, Guy Picciotto formed the band Rites of Spring and introduced a new sound of hardcore rhythms and personal lyrics to the music scene. This poetic punk rock music was quickly coined “emotional,” and the term “emo” was born. The emo music scene grew, and by the early 2000s, emo became an aesthetic and a musical subculture. Sporting long side-swept bangs, dressing in ripped jeans and tight band tees, and listening to emotional hardcore music was now mainstream.

Over the years, this edgy lifestyle has been mistaken for other similar aesthetics. The emo subculture has its own unique sound, style, and attitude, but was greatly influenced by the gothic and punk movements.

Goths became a mainstream subculture in the 1960s and 70s, preceding the emo movement. A modern goth dresses in lace or fishnets, black, and leather and adorns themselves with metal, studs, and religious or anti-religious accessories. Goths and emos may have similar stylistic expressions, but they view one major topic differently: death. Both subcultures are fascinated with the idea of death; however, goths revel in the beauty and supernatural element of it, while emos wallow in its inevitability.

Punk emerged around the same time as goths in the late 1970s. This subculture’s ideals mirror post-WWII youth movements and focus on anti-government, individual freedom, and nonconforming beliefs. Although emos have similar ideals, an emo’s style is different than a punk’s. Those that identify as punk often wear baggy jeans, leather jackets, and Chuck Taylors or Doc Martens, while emos prefer tighter clothing of a darker shade.

Emo, goth, and punk have made tremendous strides in music and pop culture since they first became known, but their aesthetics have stayed true to their roots.