Dust off your Docs, pull on your skinnies and get yourself downtown where it's all happening.

I'm not normally one to get caught up in subcultures and the desire to feel oneness and belong to a defined and categorised group of people, but I have to admit that I do feel most at home when surrounded by smoky eyed, heavy fringed, metal bejeweled and tattooed personalities.

Lucky for me Cape Town has awakened to embrace this trend of yesteryear, and I now find myself in my element as once again rebellious teenage fashions are all the rage.

The look
Skinny jeans are still in but now they’re black and extra-superslim for winter, worn even lower than before. Even the boys are wearing them, although with their own twist to the look: baggier up top getting ankle-huggingly tight at the bottom.

Accessorise with a studded belt and chain. Patches and badges are a must-have too. Converse, Doc Martens or pumps go with your skinnies; you can even tuck them into your 20 holes! Throw on any old vest, add a waistcoat, blazer and scarf and you’re good to go!

Hair for both boys and girls has two extremes: long or short in length and either sharp and crisp with a heavy fringe that falls across the face for boys and ends just into the eyes for girls otherwise the messed up just-got-out-of-bed look is a hit that requires no effort at all.

Hair can be any colour although it's typically black with bright coloured flashes or platinum blonde; however, as long as it looks dramatic you’ll be noticed!

Icons such as Kate Moss, Pete Doherty, Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Ritchie and our punk rock emo girl herself Amy Winehouse have embraced this look with Kate Moss going so far as to launch her own signature clothing range that includes skinny jeans and vests as staple items.

The music
As far as the music trend of this look goes it is loud and ranges from electro to oldschool 70's and 80's punk rock.

Hangouts are dark, decorless and smoky: the likes of Evol, Fiction, The Armchair Theatre and One Ring to name but a few in Cape Town. Live gigs are common events where there is an abundance of young local talent who are guaranteed to give an awesome body-rocking performance.

Google Billy Talent, The Cure, Finch, The Killers to name a few international bands as well as our own locals such as Love Jones, Lark, The Dirty Skirts and the newly formed Damn Right.

Arts & culture
If you're looking for some art and culture be warned: pieces are very political and edgy but très cool. Mixed media ranges from graffiti to animated and computer generated designs... as long as the statement is bold and in-your-face it's hot.

An awesome space to keep your eye on is The Bin in Harrington Street, Cape Town where the young and trendy are sure to be spotted hanging out during the day and where art exhibitions and other such events are held regularly.

For the discerning fashionista The Bin is an alternative haven where you will find once-off items of clothing as well as accessories, shoes, music, books and magazines.

Various young artists have their wares on display including the well-known label Circusninja, the product of co-owner Blaise Janichons imagination.

One thing is for certain, whether this is a passing international fashion trend or not, Punk is here to stay… it never really died after all.

From London to Paris to Cape Town there will always be an underground movement fuelled by rebellion and the desire for all things alternative.

Mary is 21-years-old, and works at Diesel. She has recently decided to start dressing like a real girl, heels and all, whilst still keeping her alternative edge – the black hair and lip ring. She hates the concept of fashion (i.e. having a bunch of people decide that something is cool so that the rest of us can follow) but really can't stop herself from loving it and pursuing a career in it.

What do you think? Is this your look of choice, or wouldn't you be caught dead? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.