Zoot Suits
African American boy wearing Zoot Suit 1940s
Zoot Suits were characterized by wide legged trousers that tapered at the ankle and long suit jackets or coats, popularized by Mexican, African, Filipino and Italian Americans during the 1930s and 1940s.
Dior Homme Fall 2008
A modern, biker version of the zoot suit. Since zoot suits were popular among "gangster"-like cultures, this Dior Homme version stays true to the bad boy aesthetic.
Rag & Bone Fall 2009
Zoot suit with a little marching band & preppy influence.
Teddy Boys
Teddy Boys, Manchester, England 1955
Popularized by young men in London during the 1950s, Teddy Boys wore clothes inspired by the Edwardian period and Rock and Roll culture.
Charles Anastase Fall 2009
The long coat and slim trousers as well as the lacing at the waist are influences of the Teddy Boy subculture.
James Long, London Fall 2009
Teddy Boy culture made it fashionable for men to dress more stylishly.
Beatniks
The infamous Audrey Hepburn
Beatnik culture was characterized by a letting-go of material things and excess, hence the simplified shapes and monotone colors. It was popularized by artists and poets in the early 1950s to mid-1960s.
Albert Kriemier Fall 2008
High collars and minimal shapes are reminiscent of the Beatnik era.
Maurizio Pecoraro Fall 2008
Cap sleeves and natural waistlines were also popular during this time.
Mods
Mod Fashion 1960s
Perhaps popularized most in this generation by Austin Powers: Man of Mystery, Mod culture evolved in London in the mid-1950s as an affront to the dull colors that were fashionable at the time and the focus on class superiority.
Giorgio Armani Fall 2009
Mod styles were streamlined and sophisticated with a little edge, as emulated in this look by Armani.
Marni Fall 2009
Oversized, short coats were also popular in surprising color combinations. This silhouette and knee-socks are a very "mod" look.
Hippies
Hippies singing & dancing
Started in the 1960s in America, the Hippie movement was characterized by a group of people who formed communities based on the ideals of peace, sexual revolution, freedom of speech and equality.
BCBG Max Azria Fall 2007
Flowing dresses in soft, gauze-like fabrics were a staple during the Hippie period, as were beanie hats.
Isabel Marant Fall 2009
Disco
Abba was a worldwide sensation during the Disco Era of the 1970s
Disco was an evolution of the hippie movement, retaining its emphasis on sexual freedom and expression, but adding an element of high society, flash and sophistication. In the 1970s, Disco made dance music extremely popular and "being seen" became a national pastime.
Balmain Fall 2009
The use of metallic fabrics and sharp angles was popular during the Disco period.
Gucci Fall 2009
Form fitting clothes and low cut styles were also characteristic of this time.
Punk
The Go-Gos got their start in the LA Punk rock Scene
Punk culture emerged in the US, UK and other major cities during the mid-1970s as a youth trend focused on anti-establishment ideals and punk rock music. Hairstyles, clothes and music were all over-the-top and controversial. Vivienne Westwood is known for being the grandmother of the punk rock scene in London, with her shop, SEX Boutique, where punk artists and musicians would often hang out.
Afropunk style (began around the same time as Punk, more underground with bands like In Living Color)
John Selkirk Fall 2008
Tee shirts were a punk rock staple, often manipulated with rips, safety pins or screen-printed text and/or images.
Gucci Fall 2009
Punk rock influence is characterized by the silhouettes of these looks as well as some of the edgier materials and colors.
Hip Hop
Bands like NWA established a "from the street" image. (Ice Cube & Easy E are on the left)
Hip Hop arose in New York in the late-1970s mostly as a music and dance movement, mixing beats with impromptu poetry. Hip hop culture became an outlet for young African and Latino Americans to voice their concerns about what was going on in their neighborhoods and to bring their perspective on the world to the forefront. Hip Hop fashion has evolved from basics such as denim and bomber jackets to represent a particular streetwise and flashy aesthetic.
Sean John Fall 2008
Sophisticated and unconventional with a little gangster flair
Apple Bottoms by Nelly Fall 2008
Sexy and tight are indicative of Hip Hop fashion for women
Steam Punk
Girl in Steam Punk outfit
Steam Punk arose as a subculture in the 1980s as an expression of a time when steam power was still a main source of energy, particularly Victorian Era Europe. Steam punk art, products and fashion encapsulate a fantasy world that travels through time. An example is the artwork of HR Giger.
The James Gang outfitted by Alexander McQueen Fall 2008
A modern take on Victorian fashion worn by a group who demonstrated one of the Steampunk tenets of "human potential". The James Gang was one of four finalists on America's Got Talent in 2008.
Comme de Garcon Fall 2008
A simpler version of the Steampunk aesthetic.
Geek Chic
Geek Chi Girl on the Street
Geek culture became recognized in the 1990s and has more recently become fashionable. Characterized by horn-rimmed glasses, clothes that appear too small or too short, and an affinity towards comic book science fiction, etc., geek culture is a street trend that has until recently been unfashionable to align oneself with.
Trina Turk Fall 2008
The sweater vest turned chic with an interesting pattern, has been a nerd staple for years.
D&G Fall 2008
This undersized bomber jacket paired with glasses and plaid pants is an overshoot of the Geek Chic look.
Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
www.style.com
www.wwd.com
www.nytimes.com
www.google.com
