Indie sleaze is back, but not as you remember it. The 00s scene’s revival taps into a growing backlash against hyper-polished influencer culture, offering a messier, more authentic alternative that feels both nostalgic and deliberately staged.

The original indie sleaze look of the 2000s was an intentionally unrefined way of dressing, driven by a desire to stand apart from mainstream fashion, with a carefully constructed sense of effortless cool.

The look was built from a recognisable set of clothing and styling details.

Black or acid-wash skinny jeans were central, paired with vintage T-shirts featuring band logos or bold graphics. Leather biker jackets reflected indie and punk influences, while sheer tights, often with rips or ladders, were styled with body-con dresses and oversized knits worn over mini-skirts. Footwear reinforced the relaxed, undone feel with worn-in Dr Martens, Converse and ballet flats completing the look.

Culturally, the trend was rooted in the indie music scenes and nightlife cultures of cities like London and New York. Bands like The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, The Libertines and Yeah Yeah Yeahs influenced the style by popularising a deliberately dishevelled, off-duty look that blurred the line between stage wear and everyday dress.

The style was also worn by well known models such as Kate Moss and it girl Alexa Chung. These women brought the look to a wider audience, as they captured its mix of nonchalance and effortless styling in front of the camera and across early digital media.

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The origin of indie sleaze

Indie sleaze emerged just before social media became fully embedded in everyday life. While early platforms like Tumblr played a role in circulating party photography and candid, flash-heavy imagery, the moment still felt more spontaneous and less controlled. It was a time before style was divided into “aesthetics” and “cores”, when young people dressed a certain way because they were part of a scene, not because they had discovered a neatly packaged, shoppable trend online.

As such, the original indie sleaze sat at a transitional moment, where subculture, style and digital self-presentation began to merge, but had not yet become fully commodified.

The indie sleaze revival taps into a desire for something that feels raw, imperfect and less controlled, in contrast to today’s hyper-curated digital environment. What makes indie sleaze appealing to a new generation is perhaps not simply how it looked, but what it allowed – messiness, excess, emotional openness and a rejection of constant self-improvement.

But there’s a contradiction. The original indie sleaze was socially driven, shaped by nightlife and real-world scenes, whereas the 2026 version exists within a culture that is far more curated. In many ways, the “sleaze” is missing. What remains is a stylised version of messiness.

The current revival grows out of the Y2K trend (a revival of early 2000s fashion and aesthetics), but it’s best understood as a reaction or mutation of it rather than a continuation. The initial Y2K revival (late 2010s into early 2020s) was glossy and hyper-feminine, reintroducing early‑2000s silhouettes like low‑rise jeans, micro bags, butterflies, neon and logo culture.

Indie sleaze draws on a similar era, but strips away the polish. Where Y2K is shiny, indie sleaze is grimy. Where Y2K is cute and curated-for-pretty, indie sleaze is curated-for-attitude. This is where the looks overlap. Neon carries over but is used abrasively rather than playfully. Ballet flats reappear but styled with sheer tights and dark makeup rather than the sweet and girly aesthetic from before. The low-effort silhouettes remain but are framed as emotional and anti-glam rather than flirty.

Culturally, there remains a strong link to both a musical and digitally social narrative. Take for example the song Messy, by Lola Young. Not only does the artist herself confirm to the semiotic iconography of the look with her unprettified dark, smudged makeup, heavy boots, leather, denim and oversized silhouettes, but the song itself communicates a message of messiness. Not in a chaotic party sense, but in its emotional exposure.

Lyrically the song explores themes of rejecting polite femininity; she’s too loud, too emotional, too much and she’s not interested in fixing that. That attitude translates into what indie sleaze represents today. The refusal of optimisation, acceptance of visible flaws and leaning into excess rather than managing it away.

The resurgence also reflects how we now engage with the past through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where cultural moments are converted into digestible visual codes. Indie sleaze is no longer a subculture but an archive of recognisable signs: smudged makeup, flash photography, slip dresses, battered leather. These reference points are easy to remix and circulate, making the trend especially suited to algorithmic spaces and inseparable from digital culture, even as it romanticises pre-digital freedoms.

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Three teenage boys were assaulted by three men back in April

Police have released new CCTV footage of a man they would like to speak to in connection with a robbery. Three teenage boys were assaulted by three men at around 5pm on April 18 in Peterborough.

The incident took place on the railway footbridge between Maskew Avenue and Ivatt Way, linking New England and Ravensthorpe. A bike was stolen and one of the victims suffered minor injuries, but he didn’t require hospital treatment.

Detective Constable George Corney said: “I would like to thank the members of the public who contacted us to identify one of the men from an earlier appeal. We are now releasing the video footage of another man we would like to speak to in connection with the incident.”

Anyone who recognises the man in the footage or has any other information should call police on 101 or report it online and quote reference 35/28529/26.

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Former England centre-back Rio Ferdinand has described the leaking of Thomas Tuchel’s squad before the official announcement later as “madness” on X.

We know that Harry Maguire, Adam Wharton, Jarrod Bowen, Morgan Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer, Luke Shaw, Phil Foden and Lewis Hall are among those to miss out.

Manchester United star Maguire posted a heartfelt message on social media yesterday, but both his mum and brother were less careful, describing the call as “disgusting” and “possibly be the worst decision I’ve ever seen in my life” respectively.

Could be some more fallout to come, so stay tuned.

Heat health alerts are to come into force across parts of the UK on Friday as the country braces for a heatwave over the bank holiday weekend.

Temperatures are expected to soar as high as 30C in London, which is hotter than holiday destinations including Mykonos, Santorini, and Ibiza.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow warnings across London, the South East, the East and the Midlands starting from 9am.

The warnings mean there is likely to be a minor impact on health and social services, and a “greater risk to life of vulnerable people”, according to the UKHSA.

This is a breaking story, more to follow…

Hundreds of airport staff in Edinburgh and Glasgow are set to strike during the peak summer holiday season, threatening significant disruption during the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. Unite, the union, announced on Thursday that precise strike dates would be revealed in the coming days, with industrial action expected to coincide with these major events.

Around 370 workers at Edinburgh Airport Limited and approximately 320 employed by ICTS and Menzies Aviation in Glasgow have backed the walkout over ongoing pay disputes. Unite emphasised that ICTS staff are crucial for passenger security screening and processing flights, highlighting the potential impact on airport operations.

“Workers across Scotland’s largest airports have overwhelmingly backed summer strike action.

“This is a direct result of their very profitable employers’ refusal to make a fair pay offer,” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.

“The workers have no other option and the blame for this situation lies entirely with wealthy companies choosing to boost profits before people.”

A spokesperson from Menzies Aviation said: “We are disappointed the union has progressed industrial action in an attempt to disrupt flights at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports this summer.

“We have engaged constructively throughout and put forward a fair and workable offer for all parties that recognises the challenging operating environment caused by the Middle East conflict.

“Pay at both locations has consistently increased above inflation since the Covid pandemic, and our current proposal again exceeds inflation and aligns with agreements the union has reached with other ground handlers at Edinburgh and Glasgow. We hope an amicable resolution can be reached soon.

“Should industrial action take place, we have robust and proven contingency plans to minimise any potential disruption to our airline customers and their passengers, ensuring flights can operate as scheduled.”

A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “Constructive talks on pay were held today with Acas between Edinburgh Airport and its unions, including Unite.  

“Further talks are planned for early next week.”

A spokesperson for AGS Airports said: “We are aware of the regrettable developments involving Unite, Menzies and ICTS including threats to disrupt passengers’ holiday plans.

“Both Menzies and ICTS continue to engage in discussions with the trade Union as they work to find a resolution on the pay awards.”

In the North East, a £1.2 million scheme will support on-street charging for drivers without driveways, allowing them to power up at lower domestic electricity rates.

The funding comes from the Government’s electric vehicle (EV) pavement channels grant and will benefit more than a thousand families across the region.

Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, said: “I am determined the North East leads the way in the transition to electric vehicles, and this funding will make EV ownership more accessible for more than a thousand families who don’t have a driveway.

“Where you live should not make a difference in whether you can choose an electric vehicle.

“This fund means families can charge at home, at cheaper residential rates, just like those with off-street parking already do – putting money back in people’s pockets and making electric vehicles a realistic option for far more people.”

The funding will allow local councils to install pavement charging channels – covered gullies that run beneath the pavement and allow a charging cable to safely connect from a home charge point to a vehicle parked at the kerb.

This discreet solution removes trip hazards while enabling convenient, low-cost charging.

The move supports the region’s goal to lead in clean transport and builds on the already UK-leading pace at which new EV charge points are being rolled out across the region.

Keir Mather, aviation, maritime and decarbonisation minister, said: “We’re investing £1.2m in the North East to make charging cheaper and more accessible, giving drivers the confidence to go electric.

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“This support is targeted at residents without private driveways so they can tap into domestic electricity rates and charge up for as little as 2p per mile.”

Residents will be able to take part in the pilot by applying through their local council, though application dates and criteria may differ depending on the area.

For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-electric-vehicle-ev-pavement-channels-grant

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GSC Grays gifted 16 computers to the East Durham Veterans Trust, based in Seaham, following an IT systems upgrade.

David Gray, chairman of GSC Grays, said: “We are delighted to be able to support this fantastic charity with the gift of the computers.

“The East Durham Veterans Trust delivers vital support for military personnel who have left the forces and helps them adjust to life outside the military along with their families.

Olivia Richardson, Central Operations Manager from GSC Grays handing over the computers to Andrew Cammiss The East Durham Veterans Trust (Image: Supplied)

“It’s an organisation that makes a real difference in the local community and GSC Grays are proud to play a small part in helping them continue their important work.”

Founded by Andrew Cammiss, the Trust is located at the Dawdon Youth and Community Centre.

Since 2021, it has supported more than 1,300 veterans and family members by providing early intervention, casework support, wellbeing programmes, and pathways into specialist services.

Their work has been recognised nationally with the trust becoming a Valour Recognised Centre, part of the government’s Veterans Strategy, delivering a nationwide network of support centres to help the 1.8 million veterans across the UK.

GSC Grays is an independent firm of Chartered Surveyors, Land and Estate Agents operating throughout the UK but principally within the North of England and the Scottish Borders.

A councillor has claimed their response on the use of the Crisis and Resilience Fund is ‘materially inaccurate’

A council row has broken out on the use of a new crisis fund to support a voucher scheme for families during school holidays. The financial support provides supermarket vouchers worth £10 per child per week, but previously they were worth £15.

The decision came after the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) ended on March 31, which was previously used to fund the holiday scheme. Cambridgeshire County Council has earmarked £2.7m to fund the scheme, but there are calls to provide more funding from the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) of £5.3m per year which replaced the HSF.

Cllr Bryony Goodliffe said that a Freedom of Information request had shown that using the fund for vouchers “was not ‘banned’” as the council leadership had said in “repeated public statements in full council, in response to public questions to council and committees”.

In a written question submitted to the county council, the Labour councillor said that as recently as March, they claimed guidance said the fund “may not be” used for the blanket provision of vouchers to those on free-school meals.

Cllr Goodliffe said the guidance actually says that it “may or may not be” used for this purpose and the FOI proves the council was told this in January 2026.

Cllr Alison Whelan, chair of the communities, social mobility and inclusion committee, provided a written response which said the wording had been changed on March 20.

She added: “This phrase, like its predecessor, needs to be read in context of the rest of the sentence as it makes clear that ‘blanket’ provision is not acceptable, as individual assessments are required for all support”.

She said this understanding “aligns with the interpretation by other councils” and they will be discussing how to use the CRF at a committee meeting in June.

Cllr Goodliffe, speaking at a meeting of Cambridgeshire County Council, said she believed the response “is materially inaccurate” and “therefore risks misleading the council”.

Cllr Whelan replied that “it’s not appropriate to comment” and “the question was asked and the question was answered”.