When Kids burst onto screens in 1995, most of America squirmed uncomfortably in their cinema seats at its frank yet bleak portrayal of a lost generation. Set against the backdrop of a stifling hot NYC, the film follows a group of teens over 24 hours. From dawn to well, dawn, these kids skate, steal, fuck, drink, inhale and punch their way through the day – detached, debauched and sexually irresponsible. Heralded as a ‘wake up call to the world’ by the New York Times, Kids was loved and hated in equal force – hailed by some as a brutal yet powerful masterpiece, derided by others as obscene and pornographic. With themes of sexual assault, drugs and gratuitous violence, Kids was a cinematic slap in the face and instant cult classic.
Alongside its gritty plot, it was also the young cast that caught attention. Larry Clark wanted his film to appear authentic, documentary-style, and many of his actors were plucked straight from Washington Square Park where they all hung out in the same spots as their characters – girls and boys wearing scuffed up converse, low slung jeans, back-to-front baseball caps and branded skater tees. During the same year when teen films such as Clueless were captivating young audiences with its depiction of LA wealth and high fashion, Kids offered something different. A style and attitude that was natural, authentic and comfortable enough for running around and not giving a shit. And we continue to see the casual style reverberated through each embrace or renaissance of a new brand or style item – American Apparel, Adidas Gazelles, the skate brand Palace.
Let’s take a look at some of the best looks….
This was a screen debut for 19-year-old Chloë Sevigny, who at the time was the It girl on the rise. Her character Jennie, who in the film discovers she is HIV positive, wears throughout a simple blue sports tee paired with jeans and a red skater belt. Girls were copying that pixie crop for years.
Photo: Wenn.
This shot of the wandering gang armed with beer is one of the most famous scenes in the film. The ‘USA’ tee could be making an ironic statement about the growing detachment between inner-city youth and middle America, but also these outfits just feel very authentically teenage.
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
The young boys getting high on a couch scene is one of the most recognisable and best-loved moments in Kids. In fact it’s so well known, this image appeared on one of the T-shirts from Larry Clark and Supreme’s anniversary collection last year (good luck trying to track one down!) According to Clark, these youngsters just happened to be hanging out on the set and the whole thing was pretty much all unscripted.
Photo: Wenn.
OK, there are no clothes here but please could we take a minute to appreciate Rosario Dawson’s flowing mane and sublime facial features? Dawson was just fifteen when she took the role of Ruby. She was discovered by Clark in New York’s Alphabet City singing from a balcony and was immediately cast.
Photo: Wenn.
For most of the film, Ruby wears a dusty pink, baggy T-shirt to Jennie's blue one – with denim cut offs and her signature expanding low ponytail. Unfortunately that photo is so coveted we can't print it but here she is in just another laid back T, this time in a faint print.
Rex
Bandanas and baseball caps were the hats of choice if you happened to be hanging in Washington Square park with a skateboard and a load of weed. Complete the look with an XXXL T-shirt.
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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