GOTHS
Goths are an off-shoot of the post-punk generation, first appearing in youth culture in England during the early 80's, it is one of the only subcultures of the 80's to still be alive today. Gothic style bares many influences from historical references from the likes of the 19th century, gothic literature, vintage horror films and BDSM culture. Often associated with mystery, morbid imagery, romance, depth and darkness, their fashion style incorporates typically dark themes from the elizabethan era, using heavy black fabrics, sometimes mixing contrasting textures like lace and lyrcra – dyed black hairstyles, dark eye makeup, black nail paint, piercing and tattoos. Goths are also often associated with violence, self harm and self loathing.
ROCKERS
Rockers AKA leather boys or greasers originated in the UK during the 50's mainly centered around a passion for motorcycles and Rock & Roll music. Media targeted the Rocker culture as socially powerless and youths and cast them as fold devils, creating a moral panic amongst the public. The public came to consider rockers as hopelessly naive, loutish, scruffy, motorized cowboys, loners or outsiders. A rockers motorcycle was his pride and joy, used not only as a form of transport but as a symbol of masculinity and intimidation. Fashion-wise a rocker's style was built for practicality and wearability. Clad in heavily decorated leather jackets, adorned with metal studs, patches, pin badges, T-Shirts, Levi's or Wrangler denim jeans, leather trousers and motorcycle boots.
SOUL BOY
Soul Boy was a subculture that emerged in working class English youth during the late 70's and 80's. Ultimately the scene was based on a constantly evolving perception of 'cool' and deferring from the mainstream and the popular. The birth of the sideways fringed wedge haircut was often worn with plastic sandals, straight jeans and white socks.The culture emerged around certain clubs in the south east of England such as The Royalty in Southgate. The Caister Soul Weekenders became the main event in the Soulboy scene and still exist today. Although the Soulboy scene was huge by the early 1980s it received little media coverage, and was overshadowed by the more dramatic exhibitionism of the decade's New Romantics.
MOD
Mod (from the term modernist) started in London in the 50's and peaked during the mid 60's during post-war Britain, they were a subculture that would go on to redefine many major parts of the fashion industry bringing to pass the birth of the miniskirt, androgyny and widespread consumerism. Due to the surge in income after WW2 the young people of London were the first generation of fashion pashers that were able to afford splurges on luxuries like tailor-made suits, music gigs, amphetamine drugs and moped scooters – all this contributed to the 'mod lifestyle' which was one of consumerism, style, and disposable income. Mods adopted a smooth, sophisticated French/Italian themed look with the aim of looking cool, neat, smart, sexy and streamlined. Some statement pieces of the everyday mod look were; tassel loafers, skinny ties, cashmere jumpers, winklepickers, white suits and hairstyles that imitated the look of french Nouvelle Vague cinema actors. They were pioneers of Androgyny with many young girls cutting there hair short, wearing mens trousers or shirts (sometimes their boyfriends), flat shoes and very little makeup.
PUNK
Punks rose to cultural recognition in the UK during the mid 70s leading the way in anti authoritarian movements and DIY ethics. In contemporary culture the style exhibited amongst punks feature statement traits such as oversized leather jackets, metallic detailing (e.g safety pins, studs, spikes etc), band t-shirts, tartan checkey print, drainpipe jeans, Dr Martens or Converse footwear, camo militant print and the signature mohican hair style (sometimes in dyed bright colors). The subculture is driven strongly by themes of aggression in the form of music, fashion, hair, art, silhouette, shape and colour.
NEO-GOTH
Neo goths are usually teenagers who dress up as their favourite anime/manga characters. Usually obsessed with Japan and often seen wearing cat ears/head bands, bondage pants etc. Very popular in Japan!
FOLK
Originating in the countrysides of North America then in Britain (Ireland, Scotland and Wales.) The folk subculture comes from the folk music dating back hundreds of years, where people would gather for music, food and folk stories. 'Folkies' are those who follow folk music, art and history. The style is varied and very casual.
AMERICANA
This culture focuses on everything American- baseball, superman, apple pie,folk, art, music etc. Style varies for Americana, Levi jeans and check shirts came up. In the photo is the 'New preppy Americana' this comes from the young people studying at Browns, Preston and Oxford universities. Baseball jackets, stripey scarves, brogues and check shirts.
METALHEADS
Occured in the 1970s (America?) Clothes consist of Denim jeans, Band shirts and long or shaved heads. Metalheads listen to Metal bands such as Hammerfall, Emperor and Finntroll. The devil horn hand gesture is typical of the metalhead.
HIPPIES
A countercultural movement that rejects mainstream American life. Originated in the 1960s/70s. Males grew beards, both sexes wore sandals, rimless granny glasses and beads. Women wore long flowing granny dresses. Psychadelic colours and tye-dye were popular. The lifestyle consisted of studying holistic medicine and vegetarian diets. Nature and earth played a big role and all clothes were made of natural materials.
VICTORIANA
Victoriana is based on Victorian style clothing of corsets, floor length skirts, frilled blouses, knee high stockings and parasols.
A term coined in the 80's to describe the posh crowd that generally hung out on Chelsea’s King’s Road, which begins at Sloane Square and is famed for wealthy residents. They share common lifestyle traits and are known for their patriotism and traditionalism. They are confident, enjoy life in the countryside and country sports. Typical Sloane ranger attire would be Barbour jackets, sweaters, fitted blazer's and scarves - all designer.
BAGGIES
Baggies was a popular subculture in the 90's mostly in America amongst young black men who were interesting in rap and hip-hop music. The term referred to their style of large oversize hoodies, t-shirts and baggie low cut trousers. This would normally worn with chunky white trainers or Timberland boots.
B-BOYS
The meaning of the word B-Boy is diffuse, someone call it "break boy" or "Bronx boy", while other call it “Beat Boy”, but all in all B-Boy is a male that’s involved with breakdancing.
INDUSTRIAL PUNK
Black leather corsets and tight black chokers, thigh-high black boots, bodies, adorned with hypodermic needles, ritual body scarification and tattoo is what you can see on people from the industrial punk subculture that represent a continuation of the chaos in the future while punk represent the chaos in the near past.
CRUSTIES
The Crusties was most widespread in the UK in the late 1980s and early 1990’s and have have roots in punk and grebo. This Subculture have no formal definition or membership conditions, but people from this subculture are often wearinf dress styles that involve dreadlocks, piercings, tattoos and dirty clothing (generally second-hand or army surplus).
PSYCHOBILLY
In the beginning of the early 1980’s the Psychobilly subculture, which was a mixture of punk rock and rockabilly among other subcultures, gained underground popularity in Europe, and it is often characterized by lyrical references by lyrical references to science fiction, horror and exploitation films, violence, lurid sexuality, and other topics generally considered taboo.
ROCK-A-BILLY
Rock-a-Billy is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music. The term rockabilly describes the fusion of two types of music: rock and roll and country music referred to as hillbilly music during that time period. Rockabilly became a national phenomenon with the release of songs that were recorded by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins. The rockabilly style is vintage pin-up.
