The History Of Skinhead Fashion
The Start Of ‘Skinhead’
The iconic Skinhead era started in the 1960s, the beginning of the short hair, buckles, bigger boots, long sideburns and working-class individuals who came and conquered the British streets with their stylish fashion. The evolution of Skinhead clothing is an exciting journey, so let's go back in time and take a deeper look into the history of Skinhead fashion.
First of all, before we go into the details of skinhead fashion and the history of classic clothing, let's discuss the characteristics and behaviour of an average Skinhead individual. Back in the ’60s, the attributes of a Skinhead were a young man of a subculture characterised by buzz cut short hair and heavy boots.
The skinhead era evolved from the Mod movement, a British subculture starting in the 1950s which involved a lot of young Londoners who loved music and bikes. The beauty of the skinhead era is that it was all over the United Kingdom, gaining national popularity; Skinheads created one of the most iconic youth movements ever to emerge in Britain.
Let’s Talk Fashion.
Smart wear was the central theme of the Skinhead era; the practicality of the clothes being smart but with a twist. Their style could be characterised as clean, smart and sharp. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, the bomber jacket came into large popularity, featuring in films and magazines in the UK, and became a Skinhead staple.
Another staple of skinhead outfits? The iconic black monkey boots. Almost every skinhead had a pair of these boots, which were first found on the fashion scene in the 1960s. With their distinctive structure, monkey boots quickly became another Skinhead fashion standard.
Levi jeans were also very popular amongst skinheads but more so in the southern regions of the United Kingdom. In the northern areas of England, many Skinheads were seen sporting cropped jeans, which were essentially created to accommodate and show off the monkey boots.
The migration of the Caribbean and West Indies also had a significant influence on skinhead fashion. Skinheads started to emulate the Jamaican culture with their long coats inspiring the adoption of the Crombie leading to bomber jackets, Harrington jackets and trench coats. And to complete the look, beanies and braces were among the go-to accessories for Skinheads.
Where Are They Now?
Skinheads represented society’s rebels and while we may think it’s hard for the modern-day man to relate to the true meaning of Skinhead today, we still see touches of Skinhead style on the high street.
From bomber jackets and trench coats - a staple in almost everyone’s wardrobe - to classic beanies and black boots, Skinhead fashion is by no means dead. In fact, if you look close enough, you might just start to notice its prevalence.
All in all, the history of skinhead fashion is fascinating, as is exploring how the trends have fluctuated, leading to the looks that were worn through the 60s and 70s. If you’re looking to take a step back in time and incorporate a little skinhead style into your wardrobe, shop our collections today.