70's Fever: Punk Style

If you're not into all the girly, floral fashion that is in all the stores this summer, Punk will be the perfect antidote. Dirty, edgy and androgynous, Punk fashion is all about expressing yourself. Over the years there have been many variations, from the very basic Hardcore style, consisting of plain or band shirts, worker pants and Dr. Marten boots worn by people such as Henry Rollins from Black Flag , Deathrock, a more sexy look with fishnets, corsets and an alltogether more dark and gothic approach as seen on for example Siouxie Sioux and the Cure, to the classic Glam Punk and street styles that inspired fashion designers such as Vivien Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier.


Early punk rock styles were more anti-materialistic. The focus was on the music and statements rather than the fashion, artists such as Patti Smith and the Ramones had a simple but iconic wardrobe of jeans, t-shirts and leather jackets. While musicians such as the New York Dolls and Iggy Pop brought a very dirty glamlook to their stage. Glitter, tight pants and a bratty attitude made a great mix of a glamrock with punk. Alice Cooper, the first glamrock band, was most likely the main inspiration, dangerous, androgynous and groundbraking they also influenced the Sex Pistols who in turn instigated the Punk scene in the U.K. They were managed by Malcolm McLaren (also the New York Dolls manager) who together with Vivienne Westwood opened up the shop "Let It Rock", which was later known under various other names, with "SEX" being the most famous. Westwood created the clothes that McLaren designed. He took inspiration from the fetish scene, bikers and prostitutes. Their designs got more and more attention as the Sex Pistols wore them on stage. Vivien Westwood continued on to design more punk-inspired fashion, combining tartan, everyday objects such as safety pins and razor blades, bondage elements and classic 17th/18th century cuts. She is also still known as a political activist, designing exclusive T-Shirts and baby wear for civil rights group Liberty with which she supported their campaigns to protect civil liberties and promote human rights, showing that she is not just interested in punk on a superficial level.



Meanwhile, punk developed more and more as a streetstyle. A unique look was easily created, because of the styles' initial DIY nature. Ripped clothes, brightly dyed hair cut and styled into outrageous mowhawks, bangs and other 'dos, a mix of leather, bold tartan prints, metal decorations, even self-inflicted body mods. Although ill-advised, all you needed was a cork, needle and determination to give yourself all the extra holes you desired. Punk is a look you can go wild with, anything goes. Mud-encrusted Dr. Martens worn underneath a foofy pink tutu, fishnet stockings with cut-offs, a dog collar around your neck. You could get storebought tops with tears and chains, but with a bit of creativity and a tiny budget you can easily make your own.



Punk is still very much alive, bands like Rancid, Green Day and the Dead Kennedys still have a die-hard following and online there are so many DIY fashion sites from which to draw inspiration. Even if you don't like the look, you can take the creativity and simple techniques to update and personalise your own clothes without giving your money to "the man"!

For DIY tips and inspiration take a look at:

http://diyfashion.about.com/

http://diyfashion.tumblr.com/

http://punkgirlsdoitbest.blogspot.com

70's Fever! : Style & Fashion

This summer fashion is all about the 70's. Long flowy dresses, flared jeans and peasant tops. This look is cute, flirty and a bit flamboyant. But it is only one of the many fun styles that shaped the face of fashion in this decade. Unlike many fads these days, fashion seemed to go undeniably hand-in-hand with the music scene. Over the next few weeks I'll be covering my favourite looks such as Glamrock, Punk and Disco, starting now with maybe the most popular, Bohemian.
You've probably seen loads of celebrities (such as Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Zooey Deschanel and Kate Moss) donning "Boho-Chic" over the last few summers. When the temperature rises, Boho-Chic is the perfect alternative to skimpy sundresses and mini-skirts.


But this is very much a watered down version of the more exciting and hysteric Bohemian style of the 70's. Developed further from the 60's hippie look, Boho was also influenced by Pre-Raphaelite and 20's fashion. Janis Joplin was already wearing this kind of thing before the 70's came along, with colourful feather boa's as headdresses, velvet and lace clothes and a casual flamboyance which makes Boho such a playful style. Taking luxurious, draping fabrics, headbands and long middle-parted hair from the Pre-Raphaelites created a fairytale-like, feminine feel while the detailed decorations as seen on many a Flappers dress (and on Sally Bowles the 1972 musical Cabaret) made the look more extravagant and sexy.



Fashion icons such as Jerry Hall and Bianca Jagger who are still admired today are famous for wearing this style. They made it look very feminine, glamorous and a little bit disco. But it wasn't just for women. A great example for this Bohemian look is Mark Bolan from T-Rex. With his tophats, velvet suits and kohl-rimmed eyes his look borders on Glamrock, but to me it feels more bohemian. There's a nonchalance to his style that reminds of the artsy Greenwich Village in the 60's. That world of aspiring artists, poets and singer-songwriters is what I think of when the word Bohemian comes up. It's a little pretentious, a little folky and mostly exciting and fun.



Because of these different influences you can really put your own spin on this style. You could go for a very feminine, glamorous outfit, combining floor-length floral dresses with strappy, wedged sandals and a big floppy sunhat or headscarf, or if you fancy something a bit more casual flared jeans and a peasant top. But my favourite bohemian look is the more gothic approach. Velvets, lace, brocate, flower-adorned hats and lots of rich decoration, it's darker, sexier and not just for summer.

Here are some key items if you want to go for this look this summer:

-A floorlength, flowy dress or skirt for that easy, instantly retro look. They look great on anyone, just make sure you don't end up looking shapeless by getting a waisted dress and not a moomoo. Wear them belted, with a crocheted bolero or a sleeveless denim shirt tied at the waist and some chuncky jewellery and you're good to go.

-A peasant blouse and flared jeans for a cute, girl-next-door look. A great everyday outfit, wear them with mules, sneakers or platform sandals.

-A hat. Any kind of hat will do, you can decorate it as you like. Add flowers, pearls, lace veils, peacock feathers for an instand eye-catcher.

-Black kohl eyeliner and coral lipgloss. Go for a grungy look with smudged eyeliner, smokey eyes and nude (or black as seen on Daisy Lowe) lips, or a more healthy glowing look with soft pastel eyeshadows, a peachy blush and coral lipstick or lipgloss.

Coming up next: Punk! I'll be looking at Debbie Harry, the Sex Pistols and ofcourse the mother of punk fashion Vivien Westwood. Also stay tuned for make-up tutorials to go with these iconic fashion styles.