How to Dress at the End of the World

Some people think we are going through an apocalypse. It sure seems like it to me politically and socially, even meteorologically. I don’t expect a nuclear catastrophe, but I think we’re going to have to rebuild from the ruins of the world we used to know. As we find ways to survive, there is an entire post-apocalyptic style ready to make it easier for us to show up in creative ways every day. So I figured now is a good time to explore how to combine utilitarian clothes with our creative touch to stretch our wardrobe and make it work for us.

The beige and bronze feature photo of this post shows an outfit in the urban nomadic style by designer Nicholas K. It 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!

What Is Post-Apocalyptic Style?

I like post-apocalyptic fashion because it is based on so many of my favorite style elements.  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 look.  I used to be a member of an avant-garde performance group, so I enjoy the dramatic, avant garde, artsy 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).  Post-apocalyptic style crosses over into Gothic and Steampunk. It 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.

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, in her Fashion Fairy Dust style blog, showed us how it’s done.

Post-Apocalyptic Style Colors

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).

Materials Used in Post-Apocalyptic Style

The materials used can be:  loose knits, velvet, (faux) leather (tops, bottoms, cover-ups, and accessories).  To finish it off, it’s trimmed in leather, silver hardware, and mesh or nylon insets.

More Elements of Post-Apocalyptic Style

Of course, there are lots of other elements that can be incorporated, like maxis, flowing tank tops and eye-catching accessories.

Since survival at the end of the world is the key idea that originated this style, here are some of the things that you can incorporate into your outfits when living on the dark side:

• asymmetrical clothing (because there are no longer stores to buy new, symmetrical clothes so you wrap yourself in tattered pieces of cloth)
• hoodies (for hiding from danger)
• rugged, ripped and distressed clothing of any type (because you are fighting for your life)
• faux furs (for keeping warm in the urban jungle)
• military-styled clothes (for protecting yourself)

• studs and spikes on anything (to fight off unwanted advances)
• khaki anything (for survival in the desolate landscape)
• camouflage (for hiking and hiding in the woods)
• 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)
• skulls on t-shirts, scarves and jewelry (to commemorate those who were lost)

Accessories

• sensible footwear such as combat boots (for rugged terrain and fighting off men)
• high-top sneakers (for long hikes)
• 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)

• 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)
• 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

1. 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.
2. A black drape-front and/or asymmetrical cardigan + a black tunic + black leggings. Add black heels + a hefty chain necklace.
3. An olive utility jacket over a black asymmetric-hem tunic + black faux leather leggings. Add high-top sneakers.
4. 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.)
5. 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.
   

   

6. A long-sleeve black tunic + black leggings + a teal cloak or cape + black heeled boots. Or, wear this outfit in any neutral color combination.
7. 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.
8. 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.

This post has been updated to give you the highest quality content.

Let’s Connect!

Do you like post-apocalyptic style?  Have you tried it, or are you willing to?  Let us know what you think. Please leave a message in the comments below!

Like this style?  You might also want to read “How to Make Cargo Pants New Again” and “How to Be Warm, Sexy and Edgy in Leather Pants.”

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This post is linked up with Fancy Friday at Nancy’s Fashion Style.

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Angie

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