Punk, like every other subculture, is not just a style—it is a system of communication. Dick Hebdige, a sociologist, explains that subcultures function like languages, where clothing, music, and attitude are all symbolic to the group.

Because of this, nothing is random. As wild as the culture may seem, the hair, repurposed materials, DIY t-shirts, and patched clothing are not just fashion choices but deliberate distortions of and deviations from the mainstream. Every piece of the subculture does it part in communicating resistance.

Hebdige explains that objects are taken out of their original context and given new meaning. Everyday items become symbols of rebellion when placed onto the body in unexpected ways. We oftentimes see a punk wearing something objectively odd, but to them it carries legitimate meaning.

One can infer that because subcultures are languages, to understand punk, you must understand what these symbols are saying. It is a complex cultural movement that isn't meant to be read and copied on surface level.

This is exactly why the system begins to fail when it is absorbed into mainstream culture. Once these symbols are mass-produced and sold, their meaning weakens. Resistance is modified into trendiness and the drive to be outspoken is stolen.

What once was a style meant to stant out and speak up becomes decoration and fast fashion. Sure, the language is still around today, but how many people speak it?