The daring, disobedient attitude of Punk was reflected in the fashion. Daring, rebellious, outrageous clothing became the norm. Aside from the clean and presentable fashions, frayed, torn and customised clothing became the new fashion. Many punks would wear swastika’s on their arms to draw attention and anti-racist punk would wear a crossed out swastika to promote their values.
The spike Mohican became a major fashion choice of punks, who would use gelatine, glue, sugar solutions and hair gel to hold their hair in place. Excessive bleaching and colouring with food dyes became the norm in order to gain attention.
Dark makeup was also used to draw attention to the face and shaving certain areas of the scalp was introduced.
Modern punk fashion is still a major part of society. Punk fashion has leaked into the modern world with artists like Lady Gaga, Liz Hurley and Miley cyrus influencing the new punk look.
With Rainbow hair, Doc Martins, Platform creepers and shaved heads, "Punk is back, and (ironically) in a way which is at odds with its ethos of anti-materialism." - Emma Segal.
With Rainbow hair, Doc Martins, Platform creepers and shaved heads, "Punk is back, and (ironically) in a way which is at odds with its ethos of anti-materialism." - Emma Segal.
70’s fashion: Glam and Glossy, fashion represented may of the decades changes and obsessions, army surplus and retro styles flourished, glamour of disco and chaos of punk were two contrasting reactions to the depressing reality at the time. Fashion was an escape from the present to the past (Retro Fashion).
Its commonly believed that Punk was born in Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood’s shop, Sex, in 1975. McLaren asked a regular visitor to the shop, John Lydon, if he would join a band he was managing called the Sex Pistols. Soon the band was making headlines with its bad behavior: spitting and vomiting on stage and swearing in public.
During this period many extreme fashions emerged to attempt to captivate and challenge ones perception of fashion. One unique style that become fairly prevalent was fetish wear; black rubber and leather fetish wear, these were born as well from Westwoods shop, it was a Mecca for young Punks. There was the common thought that there was no future, Britain in the 70's was a fairly depressing place and Punk was an escape from this dark reality.
Another style that emerged was Born in the USA: aggressive and shocking, punk captured the anger and frustration of many teenagers. More subtle than its british equivalent, it wasn’t as popular but its influence was crucial.
Its commonly believed that Punk was born in Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood’s shop, Sex, in 1975. McLaren asked a regular visitor to the shop, John Lydon, if he would join a band he was managing called the Sex Pistols. Soon the band was making headlines with its bad behavior: spitting and vomiting on stage and swearing in public.
During this period many extreme fashions emerged to attempt to captivate and challenge ones perception of fashion. One unique style that become fairly prevalent was fetish wear; black rubber and leather fetish wear, these were born as well from Westwoods shop, it was a Mecca for young Punks. There was the common thought that there was no future, Britain in the 70's was a fairly depressing place and Punk was an escape from this dark reality.
Another style that emerged was Born in the USA: aggressive and shocking, punk captured the anger and frustration of many teenagers. More subtle than its british equivalent, it wasn’t as popular but its influence was crucial.
DIY Fashion: Punks used anti-fashion to express their disgust at the aspirations of the middle class. Adopted many items of clothing that were deemed shocking and often physically repellent, Pushing safety pins through cheeks etc. Bondage leather, pornographic prints and swastikas were flaunted in the streets. Clothing often ripped and torn to further emphasise their rebellious attitude.
As time has advanced so to has the typical stylings of punk fashion, in recent times gone are the stereotypical studded jackets with spray painted logos and gelled mow hawks, more prevalent today is a more socially acceptable and aesthetically pleasing style, from leather jackets to baggy band shirts, torn designer jeans, coloured hoodies and fringed haircuts and so on, overall Punk has went advancent away from just being shocking to being more unique to each band and follower.
As time has advanced so to has the typical stylings of punk fashion, in recent times gone are the stereotypical studded jackets with spray painted logos and gelled mow hawks, more prevalent today is a more socially acceptable and aesthetically pleasing style, from leather jackets to baggy band shirts, torn designer jeans, coloured hoodies and fringed haircuts and so on, overall Punk has went advancent away from just being shocking to being more unique to each band and follower.
