Saturday 21 January 2012

BRITISH TEDDY BOYS

I have been very busy over Christmas (apologise for being a boring blogger) writing an essay to 'Discuss the influence of the 'rock 'n' roll' musical movement on the Teddy boy fashions of the 1950's' . As a student studying womenswear design, I wanted to explore menswear history for a change. I have always been fond of the 'teddy boy' style. It was the first teenage look of rebellion and revolt, and to make me love it even more, it originated in areas around my home town! 






MY ESSAY COVER


The original Teddy Boy of the 1950s was typified by Edwardian styles reintroduced by Saville Row tailors after World War II. The Ted subculture rapidly spread across the UK. It soon became strongly associated with American Rock n Roll music that emerged during the period. It gave a voice and sound to the British Ted swing-dancing teens as well as heavily influencing their fashions. A youth culture boomed and shook the foundations of British and American society. Culture was undergoing revolution following the austerity of wartime.



IMAGE OF A TEDDY BOY

The look consisted of a long fingertip-kneelength drape jacket with velvet lapels and single breasted buttons down the front. this was accompanied by a stiff neck white collar underneath pushed up menacingly around the face. drainpipe trousers were turned up to expose brightly coloured socks which often signified a unity with  a gang.  brothel creeper shoes complete the look allowing them to perform the 'Creep' when listening to Rock n roll'. the DA hairstyle influenced by Elvis Presley, became the silhouette style of the teddy boy appearance.


TED'S PREFORMING 'THE CREEP'



ELIVS SINGING 'HOUND-DOG'




BILL HAYLEY AND THE COMETS



ELVIS' INFAMOUS 'DA' HAIRSTYLE. (FROM ROCK FAHSIONS BY J. SIMS)


The girls often chose to wear very similar outfits to the men, often wearing t-shirts underneath more tailored jackets and a scarf at the neck to unify yourself to your gang. The Teddy girls were some of the first women also to adopt jeans as casual wear for women.


TWO TEDDY GIRLS. PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN (http://kawaiimon.tumblr.com/post/15071302034/eleanorworm-im-gunna-bring-teddy-girls-back)

The trend was ground-breakingly shocking for its time and i'm so excited that its appeared on the catwalks for Winter 2011. It will not mean what it meant then to wear these fashions, but as a lover of the Teddy boys rebellious bravery, I can only relish in their beauty and admire the revolution it created for generations today!


 BOTTEGA VENETA-FUTURE TEDDY BOYS  (http://www.bottegaveneta.co.uk/default/stories)

BOTTEGA VENETA BROTHEL CREEPER STYLE SHOES.


5 comments:

  1. I am obsessed with the modern take on this interesting subculture. So influential for their time.

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  2. Thank you for your commment, I completely agree, it was inspirational researching It!

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  3. This was very informative! I'm sure you got an A on your essay. :)

    I hope you continue to explore more Men's fashion styles especially the MOD and Hippie styles that followed the Teddy Boys into the 1960s. Men's fashion in general tends to be rather boring except in those genres, and I'm glad that there's some designers going back and updating the style today.

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  4. It is great. You can look for beautiful Bottega Veneta Handbags at http://www.bottegavenetabags.net/.

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  5. TEDDY BOY THIS YES THE ROCK & ROLL STYLE ...

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