Which Music Genre Defines You?

The music we love shapes and inspires us almost more than anything else in our lives—even more than high school (thankfully). The bands we love give us ideas on how to dress and show us personalities we want to emulate. It's not that you're necessarily copying your favorite artist, but that his attitude captures what you already had inside you but didn't know how to express.

What musical genres best reflect who you are? Or are you a combination of the fashion and values of many different genres?

'80s

The look: Sunglasses at night, theatrical outfits, leg warmers, tons of bracelets, occasional androgyny

Traits: Fun-loving, irreverent, tries not to take life too seriously

Trendsetters: Madonna, Elvis Costello, Duran Duran

Top 40

The look: Nicely dressed but casual and with an individual flair

Traits: Focused on the now, approachable, likes to meet new people, well-balanced

Trendsetters: Justin, Beyonce, Kanye (well, until recently….)

Punk

The look: Ripped jeans held together with safety pins, leather jackets, sewn-on patches of bands you love

Traits: Realistic, uncompromisingly individualistic, uninterested in superficial things

Trendsetters: Joe Strummer, any one of the Ramones, Billie Jo Armstrong

Indie

The look: Skinny jeans, solid color tees with jackets, plaid shirts, horn-rimmed glasses

Traits: Skeptical of the mainstream, always looking for the new thing, self-reflective, sarcastic

Trendsetters: Karen O, Jack White, Weezer

Hip-hop

The look: Sports jerseys, suits, man-jewelry a.k.a. BLING

Traits: Laid-back, confident, personable, concerned with real world problems but loves to laugh

Trendsetters: Biggie, Jay-Z, Eminem, Missy Elliot

Country

The look: Well-worn jeans, sleeveless shirts, plaid button-down shirts, cowboy hat and/or boots

Traits: Proud of tradition and family values, easy-going, loyal to close friends

Trendsetters: Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift

Classic Rock

The look: Regular clothes (t-shirts, jackets, whatever), scruffy long hair, ever-present sunglasses

Traits: Sarcastic, laidback, values good times with close friends instead of huge groups

Trendsetters: John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger

Hippie

The look: Tie-dyed shirts, earthy tones, bandanas, long hair

Traits: Altruistic (SAT study word right there!), reflective, inviting, likes to help others with problems

Trendsetters: Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia

Goth

The look: Heavy dark makeup (male or female), fishnets, leather, any and everything in black

Traits: Broods over human existence, critical, individualistic, empathetic

Trendsetters: Robert Smith, Siouxsie Sioux, Marilyn Manson

Metal

The look: Black pants, leather jackets, Iron Maiden t-shirts, as much facial hair as you can grow

Traits: A rough exterior but super kind and friendly once you get to know them

Trendsetters: James Hetfield, Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie

So, Sparklers, which type of music best reflects your personality? Or are you a combo person: punk fashion with hippie values? Tell us in the comments and take this quiz to find out how well you know your music genres!

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