Back when I was a kid, slightly masculine or punk aesthetics were highly favorable in my eyes. As an angsty genderqueer youngster, Avril Lavigne's style spoke to me pretty loudly. At the time, I was toying with the label "tomboy," a descriptor that had been assigned to me by many of my family members and friends. Although I'd later grow to understand the problematic nature of that term, "tomboy" was my identity, and Lavigne's arguable invention of the tomboy in the early 2000s became my main inspiration for practicing androgyny.
My look for many years was limited to heavy black eyeliner and Converse-accented vibes that made me feel at home in my pouty punky body. Today, I look back now and cringe at some of the looks she rocked that I tried to replicate, from the overly excessive way I smudged my liner on, to my obsession with camouflage everything, and my overwhelming need to steal as many ties as possible from my dad.
Lavigne really played up the "I'm a punk tomboy who doesn't give a damn about what you think" persona. Although it may have been a little over the top and not aesthetically pleasing to everyone, her sartorial philosophy certainly spoke to me for many years and helped me become more comfortable with my androgynous identity. So without further ado, here are some early 2000s trends that our favorite SK8R girl started through her statement-making outfits.
1. Sweat Wrist Bands
