Many forms of alternative fashion gain attention , and even notoriety , through their relationship to individuals or groups that are seen as socially undesirable – those involved in behavior considered criminal , deviant or anti-social – even though these types of behaviors may not be common among those involved in alternative fashion . For instance , greasers of the 1950s were associated with street gangs and random acts of juvenile violence , hippies of the 1960s ( along with ravers of the 1980 – 90s ) with promiscuity , anti-establishment agendas and , especially , drug use and those sporting hip hop style in the 1980s-now with the selling of drugs and other criminal behavior . The most headline-grabbing event in recent years related to alternative fashion was the wave of anti-Gothic policies and commentary that flooded through common culture in the wake of the Columbine High School massacre . The crime , perpetrated by two young men dressed in black trench coats who were known to be fans of heavy , dark themed music , was immediately associated with the Gothic subculture in the media despite the teens ' lack of any concrete affiliation with the dress or musical style usually given this label . Policies were passed in schools across the country banning dress styles and items associated with the Gothic subculture . Many individuals who dressed in any way related to Gothic style , whether or not they associated with this subculture , were targets of fear , anger and suspicion . The subculture as a whole , though extremely diverse in religious and social beliefs , was pigeonholed by the media as a dangerous influence on children
Columbine High School massacre
Columbine High School massacre
Alternative fashion