If you are a fierce individualist and have an unfinished business with the world of profit, you could be a punk. Here you will find a quick guide to the world of punk: fashion, lifestyle and music.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Lifestyle
Step 1. Express yourself
Punks are known for their unconventional attitude and their individualism. If you possess these characteristics but do not express them, no one will ever know that you are punk, or at least, an aspiring one.
- Read the classics of punk, topics like anti-authoritarianism and anarchy. If you are informed, you will be able to better express yourself.
- Find interesting ways to express what you know and explain the importance of your arguments. There is a difference between complaining about authoritarian figures and being against the system that allows such authoritarianisms.
- Talk to people who think like you, and also to those who think otherwise. You need to compare yourself with both to get a concrete and objective point of view. Also, if you only talk to people like you, how are you going to convey radical messages to those who need them most?
Step 2. Find your scene
Get to know other people with the same beliefs as you. This way you can easily show your punk side without being judged or creating conflict in the squares.
- Go to punk concerts. Some locals put their posters on the cabins or bus stops.
- Try to understand where the punks in your area meet, it can be a specific area or a landmark. Usually punks don't find themselves in conformist places except for the music. They use the public space according to the possibilities.
- If you can't put these tips into practice, ask another punk you meet around when the next gig is.
- Don't be afraid to look like a neophyte. They started like this too and will probably understand. Try to be friendly, even if you don't know all the punk bands on earth, most punks have typical clothes.
- Join an online comunity, where you can find other punks from all over the world, download music, discover new bands and keep up to date on concerts.
Step 3. Avoid consumerism
Punks are very careful about finding new ways to have fun without giving their money to the multinationals.
- Enjoy the outdoors, whether it's hiking in the mountains or being in the park with friends.
- Learn to cook. It is not only a fun way to pass the time, but also a good ploy to save money, you will have more for yourself and you will make big companies less money.
- Find free events via friends, websites and local event forums.
- Be smart. Each self-produced item is one less item sold by stores.
- Visit malls or large chain stores only when you really need to. Even things like furniture can be found for free on sites like freecycle. If you have to buy something, look for the used one first.
Method 2 of 3: Outward Appearance
Step 1. Express your attitude through clothing
Punk clothing is "iconic" because it captures and combines rebellion and individualism. Let your nonconformity show through your clothing
- Punks are known to be one of a kind, don't worry you don't look like a punk. Wear what you want, make sure you're really alternative, and you'll be in tune with any punk band.
- Self-produce your own clothes if possible. Invest in a sewing machine. This way you can truly create a unique wardrobe without supporting the system
- DIY (do it yourself). Many punk clothes are self-made. For a punk, it is always better to mend an old garment than to support consumerism by buying something new.
Step 2. Start with some old punk pieces
If you are unsure how to make yourself a punk wardrobe, here are a few things to consider:
- Old, fitted or baggy jeans (not flared).
- Bomber.
- Studded garments and brooches.
- Tigers, camouflage, animal prints and bloody effect spots.
- Torn clothing held together with safety pins.
- Shirts of groups.
- Synthetic leather jackets with patches of groups, pins, or written with anarchist symbols.
- Bondage pants, or pants with added embellishments such as zippers, chains, metal rings or other add-ons.
- Bullet belts.
- Fishnet stockings.
- Classic accessories that include leg warmers, studded belts, studded bracelets, pointed or star-shaped studs.
Step 3. Customize shirts or jackets
This is similar to a makeover, but with an eye for small details that express your unique views. Cut the sleeves, sew political patches, cut the necklines, even back in a different way, these are all things that the traditional person would never dare to try, especially for the aesthetic effect.
- Tear or cut a piece of clothing, and replace it with a row of safety pins to hold the fabric together.
- Draw Band Names, Stencils or Symbols on Your Clothes.
- Scramble your jeans. Use scissors or a utility knife to make cuts, or rub sandpaper over them to make them look frayed.
- Strategically drip bleach onto jeans or T-shirts to get interesting patterns, or make them look more worn.
Step 4. Look for punk footwear
Consider the fact that you have to walk more following the punk lifestyle. You will need a pair or two of sturdy shoes that last a long time, but remember to get them non-traditional
- Boots for men and women. Boots are usually the best choice: they last a long time, and can be found cheap and can be modified like the rest of your clothes.
- Stay away from famous shoe brands. Because punks disapprove of consumerism and materialism, many of them choose to buy combat boots from military clothing stores.
- The most common punk shoes are Dr. Martens, Converse and some skate shoes such as Draven and T. U. Ks. However as these brands are owned by some multinationals, some punks refuse to buy from them, despite the aesthetics, you may come across people who disagree with your choice of shoes.
- Second-hand clothing stores are a good place to buy cheap shoes and boots, in which case your money will not end up in the hands of multinational corporations.
Step 5. Choose your haircut
Be creative express your uniqueness through the haircut. The goal is to be as far away from mainstream culture as possible. Here you will find some basic ideas.
- The Mohican cut can be done by both males and females (even if it is a male haircut). Some girls go for the "Devilock" cut with the front forelock a la Misfits. You can search for the one that best represents you among various types of cuts. Between Mohican (crest), "Bihawk" (double crest), "Trihawk" (triple crest), "bitch" handles (cut with long tufts on the ears) OR "liberty spikes" (pointed hair).
- If you want a more understated look to better manage a work situation, there is always the "Fauxhawk" style (a strip of hair that you can comb at the bottom to hide the shave). But be careful, sometimes this look is frowned upon by other punks, because it fits well into the mainstream world.
- While it is more common for a punk to have hair no longer than the chin, long hair is still acceptable if you want to be a punk.
- Having random things like feathers, pearls, ribbons and ties that make you look out, that's fine… If that's what you're looking for.
- There was also an 80's cut style, and even dreadlocks made an appearance in the punk subculture.
- Consider your hair dead. You could dye them platinum blonde, jet black, bright red, or some weird color like green or blue. Whatever you choose, be aware that you will have to keep it on your head for quite a while (or try a temporary dye first).
- If you don't want to complicate your life with complex hairstyles, shave your head. This is a great message: there is no need to do what others are doing! A shaved head has always been a classic punk look, and can be used by both men and women.
Step 6. Piercings and tattoos
Body modification is another point that punks use to identify themselves.
- You will see many punks with fairly large size dilators.
- Nasal septal and lip piercings are used by both genders.
- You can choose a large variety of images to get tattooed. A lot of punks get their favorite band logo tattooed, or cobwebs on their elbows (keep in mind that in the UK, having cobwebs on their elbows means you've been in jail). Straightedge punks sometimes have Xs tattooed on the backs of their hands. Traditional type tattoos ("Sailor Jerry" for example) are very popular, especially for parts such as the chest and so-called "sleeves".
- You have to consider that the tattoo you choose will have to be worn forever. Make sure you choose something that reflects your personality.
Step 7. Be patient as you develop your style
Many people will tell you to avoid going straight from the more classic look (polo shirts, sweaters tied around the neck etc) to punk, you might look like a poser, that's true, but there is no way to go from non-punk to punk, in one night only. It is not possible to acquire a complete knowledge of the punk subculture right away, and it is not possible to immediately obtain an entire wardrobe without diligently searching for clothing. Go to concerts, meet other punks, slowly your style will develop from there.
Method 3 of 3: Punk Music
Step 1. Go to punk shows whenever you can
This is a fundamental part of being punk. The energy in these places is incredible. You don't need to pogo or moshing, watching can be fun too. Throw yourself in and enjoy. You know the local scene, probably the same people you will see at concerts you will also meet them at events.
Step 2. Familiarize yourself with music, old and new
There are different types of punk music, remember that not all punks listen to the bands mentioned here. The attention of punks to the style of music has radically changed over time, especially in this era. This is a list of the eras of punk music, and the groups that have influenced them the most.
Advice
- Never be afraid of what people might think.
- Remember: "if you don't mobilize for something you will fall for nothing".
- The difference between being a poser and being a real punk is that the former is always concerned with how to look more punk. Just do what you want.
- Being an individual. This is the crux of being a punk. If you want long hair, keep it long. If you have a Kelly Clarkson album alongside the Misfits album you must be proud of it. Most punks are built. Johnny Rotten also said that modern punks are "hangers". Remember it's not about what you wear, it's about who you are. This is what matters.
- Dumb punk is unattractive, smart punk is brilliant. You know grammar, and spelling, history, geography, etc. so you will also teach a lesson to people who create stereotypes about punk! Punk is a constantly evolving community. Don't humiliate yourself for anyone. There are smart punks everywhere and even if the first ones you meet are jerks, accept the fact that jerks are everywhere, don't act like them just because you want to join the group. They represent only the smallest part of a larger world and the best are out there.
- Remember to live "aloud". If someone makes fun of you, ignore them. Don't worry about what other people think. Be yourself.
- If you weren't punk before, people might be a little confused. Be nice though. Don't say goodbye to your old friends to join a new group. The "making new friends, but keeping the old ones" is a rule that more or less extends to everything.
- Just because you're punk doesn't mean punk is the only music you need to listen to. There are other branches such as rockabilly, hard rock, ska, psychobilly, heavy metal; listen to what you want. It is important to consider the points in common that punks will have with you beyond traditional music, punk or non-punk)
- Not all punks hate government. If they hate him, they hate him for a reason, and if they don't hate him, don't expect them to.
- You will get some criticism about how you dress. Don't doubt yourself, remember, this is who you are. This is what you love. Don't allow anyone to make a claim on you.
- The common misconception of punks is that they don't benefit themselves (namely: being homeless, always drunk, not having finished school, etc.). This is an idea created by those who are not punks, so try to do what you think is useful for you, if you want you can find a job that suits you, develop ways to fulfill yourself if you want, live the life you want. A good example of a successful punk who did this is Tim Armstrong of Rancid. He finished school, battled alcoholism, made a home, and works with producers and countless artists. Other people may not reconcile all of this with being punk and do the opposite.
- Respect the old punks if they deserve respect. If someone comes to you in a suit and tie and tells you they like your Misfits shirt, be friendly and ask them if they're a fan. Maybe, he saw them play live in the '70s when the punk scene got underway and they may have some "war stories", or rather, some hints on bands you've never heard of.
- Don't be racist. This benefits neither you nor anyone else. Most punks are anti-racist, and this (in the worst cases) can also pose a risk. "Whites" are no more worth than people with dark skin. How people are treated shouldn't depend on where they come from or what color their skin is.
- Parents, teachers, employers, can be shocked by the punk aesthetic because they don't understand it. Consider yourself a spokesperson for the cause, they think it's a shocking, rebellious and subversive way of life, you can explain that they have a mainstream vision even without looking like a prototype punk, Who thinks punk is everything, like the model described by journalists and media …
- Remember to acquire your punk style little by little, if you go out overnight dressed like the punks on the street corner, to emulate them, it will be just a costume, nothing more.
- Punk rock means a lot of things to a lot of people. There are people who think all corporate America is evil and there are those who buy their punk gear at the mall. Always be respectful, even with "mall punk" he might just be the next revolutionary activist or the old patched activist from 30 years ago, he might have something to teach you. Always listen to anyone and if you disagree, present your argument in a way that others can also present their point of view. If your parents, teachers, etc. I disagree with your punk beliefs, listen to what they tell you, and then explain your point of view to them. Your mother may have a rude reaction to your new hair dye because the hair color you have since birth is gone and it can be difficult for her to see you grow.
