The word punk was born to help define the punk rock music scene and the youth subculture beginning to emerge in the United States and the United Kingdom during the 70’s. Just like the subculture itself, punk rock music was rough and noisy made famous by bands like the Stooges, the Ramones, the Sex Pistols and the Clash. Punk quickly influenced many art forms through music, literature, film, dance and most importantly, fashion.
The punk movement is most frequently categorizes as the left-wing or progressive viewpoint, but the punk subculture can cover all political spectrum. The punk subculture was created with the mindset of individual freedom and anti-establishment viewpoints. Keywords associated with left-wing punks would be individualism, antimilitarism, antiracist, hemophilia and more. Many individuals in the punk subculture may also identify as having more right wing such as conservative and neo-Nazi viewpoints.
With the revolving movement of viewpoints and beliefs, all members of the punk subculture where joined by one thing in common, the rejection of all forms of control. The punk movement was considered one of the worst sides seen of the youth of the time with a lifetime dedication to the provocation and transgression thought all art forms that we are still seeing today.
Punks shocked the worlds with its strong aggression, unconventional music, and exploitation of fashion. The explosion of post-war anger and unemployed took the youth of its time on an infectious view towards the government and anti-conformity. The punk movement symbolized anarchy and the freedom to rebel.
When Chaos Meets Couture
The history of punk in fashion can’t be discussed without the mention of 430 King’s Road and the fashion icon we know today as Vivienne Westwood. Partnered with Malcolm McLaren, Vivienne Westwood opened shop in Chelsea, which began as a small record shop that sold vinyl, memorabilia, and magazines becoming the place to be for the British Punk movement. With a wide arrange of name changes from Let It Rock, Too Fast To Live, Too Young to Die, Sex and finally Worlds End. The Sex Pistols noticed this punk shine and soon become under the management of McLaren creating arguably the face of the punk rock movement of the 70’s. Westwood quickly found the spotlight in fashion with her notorious t-shirts depicting serial killers, Mickey mouse having sex, cowboys showing their private parts and a portrait of the queen with a safety pin through her lip.
Punk Fashion In The 70’s
The 70’s punk fashion was a strong reaction towards the older generation before them. The previous fashions of their parents were considered old, outdated and a form of oppression. Punk fashion quickly became seen as deconstruction and a cultural waste and the punk subculture turned their backs on the fashion norms of the time. This is where the famous look and inspiration of destructed and destroyed garments takes shape. The 70’s revolved around torn pants, ripped shirts, neck chains, outrageous body piercings, leather jackets with accessories of pins and spray paint. Sid Vicious soon became the poster boy for the punk style. With leather pants, painted nails, iconic red t-shirt showcasing swastikas, biker boots, and studded belts.
Punk Fashion In The 80’s
The 80’s brought us the hardcore punk and a more diversified style of clothing. The asexual style became popular during the 80’s. Hair was usually shaven or appeared in high, bright colored spikes. The 80s continued the spread of tattoos and piercings. During this time, the punk subculture used their fashion to symbolize their anarchy and fight against oppression. Punk fashion was not seen as a status symbol like today, but a visual message of non-compliant attitudes and conformity. The 80’s punk scene was one of the most shocking displays of youth movement the world had seen in hopes of pushing the status quo.
Punk Fashion In The 90’s
In the 90’s, the punk fashion movement was changing while still maintain the staple style of ripped jeans, leather jackets and hardcore messages of rebellion. During this time, the grunge movement was starting to take form. The typical grunge look consisted of flannel shirts, Dr.Martens, and untamed hair.
Punk Fashion Today
Punk fashion was first and foremost seen internationally as very anti-materialistic and defined the definition of glamor as a rebellion of the disco era also happening at the time. Today, punk has become such a mainstream look from fast fashion to couture. Punk has become everything it was once fighting against, glamor. It seems that the distinct rebellious style can be seen on the runway at any given season. We may have lost sight of the foundation of what it meant to be punk but the impressive and edgy look that 70’s punk dawned on us has made an undeniable print on fashion and society.
From ripped jeans, ultra mini skirts, the classic ripped tights and head to toe leather; the 21st century is still seeing dark and rebellious wardrobes that scream Joan Jett and Debbie Harry can be seen coming down the runways of Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, and Givenchy
