The 2000s Hipster Aesthetic Is Back
In a world dominated by hyper-polished social media influencers and AI-generated perfection indie sleaze fashion, Gen Z is turning to an unexpected source of inspiration: the chaotic, messy, and unfiltered fashion of the late 2000s and early 2010s. At the heart of this revival is Isabel Marant, whose iconic wedge sneakers and effortlessly disheveled Parisian designs are enjoying a major comeback.
In 2011, Kate Moss famously sported Marant’s now-legendary Bekett wedge sneakers, instantly catapulting them into fashion history. Beyoncé, Eva Mendes, and countless others followed, making the shoes a symbol of indie sleaze — though at the time, the term hadn’t yet been coined.
What Is Indie Sleaze?
Originally known as hipster or Tumblr style, indie sleaze combined elements of rock ‘n’ roll grit, vintage thrift finds, and ironic cultural references. Grainy digital photos captured partiers in ripped tights, skinny jeans, band tees, and leather jackets. Sky Ferreira, Alexa Chung, and shows like Skins embodied the vibe, documented by photographers like Mark Hunter (aka The Cobrasnake) and chronicled in publications like Vice and Paper indie sleaze fashion.
The TikTok-Driven Revival
In 2022, trend forecaster Mandy Lee helped popularize the term “indie sleaze” on TikTok, sparking a fresh wave of nostalgia. For Gen Z — many of whom spent their teen years under Covid lockdowns — the carefree club scene of the 2000s represents an escape from sanitized digital perfection and an era of genuine connection.
Isabel Marant: The Queen of Indie Sleaze
French designer Isabel Marant is once again at the center of this revival. In 2025, Marant re-released the Bekett sneakers in collaboration with Converse, featuring Kate Moss’s daughter, Lila Moss, as the face of the campaign. Marant explains: “When something is well-achieved and good, it remains good forever. Kate, she is also forever.”
The sneakers, along with Marant’s beaded skinny jeans, studded leather jackets, and raw-hem tweed blazers, are now highly sought after on resale platforms like eBay, Vestiaire Collective, and The RealReal. Wealthier Gen Z shoppers in Paris, London, and New York are fueling this second-hand fashion frenzy indie sleaze fashion.
Two Layers of Nostalgia
Marant believes the indie sleaze resurgence taps into two kinds of nostalgia: Millennials reliving their early adult years, and Gen Z romanticizing a pre-social media era they never experienced. “The stronger form of that feeling is being nostalgic for a time you didn’t live in,” she tells the BBC.
The 2010s feel like the last breath of freedom before constant digital surveillance, AI filters, and highly curated online personas. “Today everything is so polished, so fake. That is not rock ‘n’ roll,” Marant says. For young fashion lovers, messy hair, imperfect eyeliner, and vintage band tees represent an authentic rebellion.
Isabel Marant’s Timeless Appeal
Despite the renewed attention, Marant remains modest about her designs’ cult status. “I used to save up forever for one Comme des Garçons jacket or one Margiela top. So I hoped people would do that for my designs, too. We didn’t make a ton of these sneakers. That isn’t my way.” However, she admits: “Of course, you should still wear them with skinny jeans. Or skinny black leather pants. In Paris, we have all stopped smoking, but we will never stop that. It is forever the cool French way.”
Conclusion: The New Cool
For Gen Z, the indie sleaze revival isn’t just about clothes — it’s about rejecting perfection and embracing the carefree energy of messy club nights, spontaneous selfies, and true creative freedom. With icons like Isabel Marant leading the charge, the indie sleaze aesthetic proves that what was once “cool” can always be cool again.
