Street Trends and High Fashion

Zoot Suits
A zoot suit is comprised of a long jacket with wide lapels and wide padded shoulders; and high-waisted trousers with wide legs and tight cuffs. These suits gained popularity during the late 1930s and the 1940s, and were considered luxury items due to the amount of material and tailoring required to make them. The U.S. War Production Board proclaimed that the suits wasted resources that should be allocated to the World War II efforts. So, wearing one became a form of declaring one's free will.
(Photo: American jazz singer Cab Calloway)

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John Galliano Spring 2000 RTW_________________________________John Galliano Spring 2002 RTW

Beatniks

The beat movement was a literary one that took place during the 1950s and early '60s. Beatniks were anti-materialistic and believed in the importance of bettering the inner self. The young men and women of the beat generation wore berets, leather jackets, black or striped turtlenecks and leotards, and slim-fitting pants. Their look was about simplicity.

(Photo: American poet Roland X)

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Betsey Johnson Fall 2008 RTW______________________________Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2008 RTW

Teddy Boys

The Teddy Boy subculture started in London in the 1950s and soon became associated with American rock & roll. It was a youth market whose fashion was inspired by styles of the Edwardian period. The clothing consisted of long drape jackets, which sometimes had velvet trim collars; high-waisted trousers; and chunky wingtip shoes.

(Photo: American Teddy Boys in 1962)

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Junya Watanabe Spring 2007 RTW_________________________________Christian Dior Fall 2004 RTW

Mod
The mod subculture got its start in London in the late 1950s with teenagers who were rejecting the dull British culture around them. These mods wanted things that were cool and exciting. They were very much into fashion, and they spent much of their money on stylish clothing. Male mods had a sophisticated look that included tailor-made suits, button-down shirts, and pointed leather shoes. The females either dressed androgynously in men's shirts and trousers with flat shoes or they pushed the envelope with miniskirts and short rectangular dresses, which got progressively shorter through the '60s.
(Photo: British model and 1960s fashion icon Twiggy)

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Abaete Fall 2007 RTW_______________________________________Missoni Pre-Fall 2008

Hippie
The hippie movement began in the U.S. during the mid-60s. The fashion was a reflection of the subculture's independence and freedom from societal restrictions. The styles, which were considered unusual at the time, included bell-bottom pants, peasant blouses, vests, headbands, tie-dyed garments, ethnic motifs, and long, full skirts.
(Photo: American rock musician Jimi Hendrix)

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Anna Sui Fall 2002 RTW____________________________________Balmain Spring 2008 RTW

Hip Hop
The hip hop culture originated in New York City in the 1970s and began to become popular in the 1980s. This is when established brands attached themselves to the emerging hip hop fashions, which were an expression of the attitudes of the hip hop culture. Early hip hop fashion included bomber jackets, track suits, Kangol hats, and heavy gold jewelry.
(Photo: American rap group Run DMC)

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Y-3 Fall 2003 RTW__________________________________________Lacoste Fall 2006 RTW

Punk

The emergence of the punk subculture in the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Australia coincided with that of the punk rock music genre in the mid-1970s. Punk began as an intentional contrast to the disco and hippie subcultures already on the scene. It was marked by an overstated use of clothing and adornment. Popular punk fashion included motorcycle jackets, ripped apparel, drainpipe jeans, plaid pants and skirts, leather and vinyl, metal studs, and safety pins.

(Photo: English punk rock band The Clash)

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Balmain Fall 2008 RTW_______________________________________Rag & Bone Spring 2009 RTW

Grunge

Grunge fashion was influenced by grunge music, which became popular around 1992. It coincided with a re-emergence of hippie fashion, and it was part of a similar counterculture as well. Grunge was truly the antithesis to the clean cut professional attire and the high styling of the '80s. The looks usually included big, baggy plaid shirts and loose, ripped, stonewashed jeans.
(Photo: American girls in grunge, 1990s)

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Marc Jacobs Fall 2006 RTW__________________________________________Preen Fall 2008 RTW

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