The punk style has been in vogue for decades and decades, although it must be said that the look continues to evolve and develop several innovative elements. If you want to dress up as punk, all you have to do is flaunt an anti-materialist, bold look that still allows you to express yourself. You've already chosen the right soundtrack, right?
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Clothes
Step 1. Choose your style
Punk was born after the Second World War, but it actually took off in the 1970s. Since it has been around for a long time, it has gone through several phases, style innovations and various modifications. When in the seventies the fashion was to wear long hair, punks wore it short. Punk girls of the eighties had a more masculine look to contrast with the feminine style of the seventies. And then, just to name a few variations, there are glam punk, pop punk and hardcore punk. So which one do you prefer?
- Glam punk is synonymous with bright colors, glitter, elastane, leather, leopard print, phosphorescent colors and satin. For example, if you choose this style, you could be wearing a metallic jumpsuit.
- Pop punk is the typical style of the US chain of stores called Hot Topic. Skinny jeans, band t-shirts, studded belts, skater clothing and cuffs. It is a combination of punk and hipster style.
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Hardcore punk is the exact opposite of what you might imagine. Aim for comfortable clothes that are safe to pog in. Wearing a plain t-shirt and baggy work pants is ideal, and shuns the elaborate fashion of other types of punk, which actually doesn't make much sense in the first place.
Whichever style of punk catches your attention the most (and there are many more than those listed here), it's generally a rebellious and anti-materialistic look. No variation of the punk lifestyle sticks to the rules or succumbs to the mainstream. If something isn't trendy, that's fine. If it makes your mom frown, that's fine. If fashionable people wouldn't even wear it dead, that's fine
Step 2. Master the basics
If you're after a compelling punk look that doesn't raise too many questions, there are some basic principles that have stood the test of time. Here are some ideas that will serve you as a starting point:
- Guys: black jeans (but other types are fine too, to tell the truth), belts with fake bullets and silver studs, leather jackets, denim vests (with all the band patches you have), studded leather garments and any plain t-shirt. As for shoes, go for Doc Martens, Converse or military-style combat boots.
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Girls: black skinny jeans, skirts with leopard print or another pattern, belts with fake and studded bullets, pieces of leather, mesh clothing, even torn. If you like, you can add a touch of pink. The perfect shoes are Converse, Doc Martens and military-style combat boots.
When it comes to band t-shirts, remember that everyone now has a Ramones or Clash t-shirt. Do yourself a favor and prefer less mainstream punk; unfortunately, these two words are no longer an oxymoron
Step 3. Improve your skills with DIY
The truth is that having a punk image means going against the grain. It goes against the big shops, against capitalism. The easiest way to stick to this school of thought? Do the work yourself. Tear off jeans, write on a t-shirt with a black permanent marker, turn wire into jewelry, do whatever you like. If you made an item yourself, you can certainly make sure that no one else owns it.
If your creativity is in short supply and you don't feel capable of it, there are still numerous ways to show off a unique style. Add patches to any object, experiment with hair dyes and try to make an extravagant cut. You don't have to get an aesthetically pleasing result. Indeed, this is the idea. The more unpleasant a thing looks, the better. Who would have thought that lack of creativity could actually come in handy?
Step 4. Prefer simple and dirty clothes to clean and chic ones
The punk look is characterized by a decidedly neglected touch. If the t-shirt you are wearing is wrinkled, that's okay. If you have socks that look like they came out of your grandfather's drawer, that's no problem. If you are wearing jeans and a t-shirt, that's all, that's okay. Being punk doesn't mean going out of your way to be trendy. Instead, it means wearing the first thing you put your hands on in the closet in the morning, without worrying too much.
Hardcore punk is all about simplicity because it is preferable to pog. You wouldn't wear studded items for pogoing, unless you want to get kicked out for accidentally poking someone's eye out. So, when in doubt, you prefer to aim for simplicity. After all, fashion is purely mainstream
Step 5. Mix the clothes
If your mom were to see you, she'd say, "You know that shirt doesn't go with the pants, right?" Great! You did! Being punk doesn't actually mean creating a perfectly matched outfit. You can freely wear a shirt that screams "British punk" and a pair of Celtic punk style pants. If anyone asks you questions, just ask them why they care so much about labels.
- Feel free to mix different degrees of formality too. A t-shirt and a tie? Why not? A skirt and a pair of men's boots? Of course. You haven't combed your hair in days, but it literally took you hours to create a match? You can definitely do it.
- If you are a girl, you can undoubtedly show off a tutu and combat boots. Bring your feminine side into play alongside masculine items. For example, combine feather earrings and cargo pants, sexy fishnet stockings, and a loose-fitting t-shirt featuring a band.
Part 2 of 3: Accessories and Hair
Step 1. Use be afraid to use metal and other textures
There's nothing wrong with pairing a pair of Chinos with a mesh top and leather jacket. Nothing. Don't let them tell you otherwise. And to all this you can add a metal chain by using it as a belt (in fact, it was quite common in the 1980s). Wool socks, leather boots, ripped nylons? Absolutely yes.
Better that most of the clothes are cotton. To actually bring out a piece, it must be different from the others. It's not totally necessary (after all, you have to be simple), but, if you want to flaunt an attention-grabbing punk look, it's a surefire way to do it
Step 2. You can dress in black and use accessories of bright colors
If there's one thing everyone knows (or thinks) about the punk look, it's that this style is mostly made up of dark clothes. In general, it is true. However, the most authentic punk rockers aren't afraid to add a pop of color either, especially when it comes to bright hues. Think of the glow-in-the-dark colors: blue, pink, yellow, orange, green, silver, and red. A punk does not look at all like a goth or an emo, and the chromatic choice is one of the characterizing reasons.
Step 3. Mix different influences
As was stated at the beginning of the article, punk has gone through a great deal of transitions. Well, pay homage! Do your research - there are often military themes, working class themes (work boots and braces to go back to the roots of punk) and British influences. So, search thrift stores and the closet of your older relatives. You will surely find something.
Full-body piercings, glitter, rubber, vinyl, kilts, tattoos - all play their part on the punk stylistic spectrum. Bowling hats, studded cuffs, the symbol of anarchy, shaved heads or long hair - punk has seen it all
Step 4. Do whatever comes to your mind with your hair
Seriously. Someone will tell you that you have to dye them, but if you overdo it with the dyes, you will end up sending the wrong message: "Hey, look at me! I'm doing everything to be a maverick!". So, you could dye your hair, but also wear a mohawk cut, shave it, or do absolutely nothing. This is entirely up to you.
Isn't this the answer you wanted? Well, think of hair the same way you think of clothes. If most people wouldn't wear a certain cut, then that's the one. So, do the perm, shave the name of your dog on the head, dye blue only the strand that is behind the left ear; in short, do what you want. After all, you don't owe anyone an explanation about your hairstyle
Part 3 of 3: Having the Right Attitude
Step 1. Listen to the music
Whether you love them or hate them (considering you're here, you probably fall into the first category), it's still good to get to know the bands. If we mentioned them all, you'd be on this page for hours, so here are a few groups to start with. Some examples:
- Dropkick Murphys.
- The Clash.
- Nirvana (considered grunge, but still very punk).
- Minor Threat.
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Dead Kennedys.
Remember one thing: when you wear a specific t-shirt, someone might walk up to you and say, "Hey, I love Adicts! What do you think of Chinese Takeaway?". At that point, you will be forced to come up with something and hope for the best, say "Oh my God, look there!" and run in the opposite direction or admit you just bought the shirt because you thought it was cool. Do yourself a favor and truly become an integral part of the subculture
Step 2. Find something to rebel against
If there is one thing you hate in this world, rebel against it. This is much more important than clothing. You can be a real and authentic punk without having all the right clothes: the dress doesn't make the monk, it's just a means of identifying yourself. In fact, some of the more experienced members of the subculture argue that fashion is just a distraction.
You don't necessarily need something to oppose, but the police are generally detested by many. We rebel against those in power, the ruling class, the authorities in general. Anger is definitely at home in the land of punk
Step 3. Don't pay attention to what others think of you
If you get a couple of disapproving looks for wearing a tutu, great. If your family doesn't understand why you're wearing a tie on your Black Flag t-shirt, encourage everyone to go to Wikipedia. If your teacher is worried and thinks this stage you are experiencing is harmful, well, prove him wrong by taking 10 on his homework. What others think may seem relevant now, but, in the grand scheme of things, this is not the case at all. This is actually the essence of becoming punk.
And don't pay attention to other fans of the genre either. If they tell you your look isn't punk, then they don't fully understand the subculture. Punk cannot be boxed and then laid down the law in this regard. If you like your style but someone else doesn't like it, you are doing everything right. Don't question your preferences. After all, you just need to be yourself to dress up as punk, without thinking about it. Whatever your taste, follow it
Advice
- If you don't like your look, change it. If the mohawk cut doesn't convince you, don't go for it. If you don't like studded leather jackets, don't wear them. Being punk means doing what you want you, not what people think you should do.
- Never listen to negative and demoralizing comments. People who tell you these hateful things do so because their life is unbearable and they are quite insecure.
- Most importantly: just be yourself!
- Pop into cool thrift stores and buy some old clothes; then, modify it to your liking at home!
- Listening, loving and experiencing music is what really matters, more than anything else. Either you are punk or you are not.
- There is no right or wrong way to dress punk. Everything is linked above all to one's own individuality.
- Don't worry if what you do is classifiable as punk. This would make you look like a poser.
Warnings
- Before anything else, discover punk music.
- Don't flaunt or brag about anything to prove you're punk, especially when it comes to clothing.
- Don't start dressing like this overnight! First, you'll look like a poser, and secondly (unless you really want to shock everyone), you'll shock people who know you when they see you sporting this style for the first time.
