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According to Wikipedia:
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to early 1950s in the United States. It is a “blend of country & western and rhythm & blues” that… pointed the way to classic rock ‘n’ roll.”[1] It has also been defined as “popular music combining features of rock ‘n’ roll and bluegrass.” [2]
The term “rockabilly” is a portmanteau of “rock” (from “rock ‘n’ roll”) and “hillbilly“, the latter a reference to the country music (often called “hillbilly music” in the 1940s and ’50s) that contributed strongly to the style’s development. Other important influences on rockabilly include western swing, boogie woogie, and rhythm and blues. While there are notable exceptions, its origins lie primarily in the Southern United States.
The influence and popularity of the style waned in the 1960s, but during the late 1970s and early ’80s (notably with the Stray Cats), rockabilly enjoyed a major revival of popularity. An interest in rockabilly endures even in the 21st century, often within a rockabilly subculture.
Well ladies and gents, the term “Rockabilly” is synonymous with the rock ‘n roll style music of the 1950’s. Think Rock-meets-Country music. Elvis is a great example of Rockabilly style music. Rockabilly is just another term for a sub-culture such as “punk” or “scene” where people enjoy a certain genres of music, style of clothing and hair, and events.
Now that we have the history lesson our of the way, lets move on to What Is Rockabilly Clothing…
Rockabilly is a term used to refer to anything retro. Rockabilly clothing usually refers to items such as; Cute polka dot retro dresses, dresses with dainty cherry prints, full circle skirts, vintage items from the 1950’s, and anything else that has that 1950’s appeal. “Rockabilly” does not just refer to a style of clothing, but more of a “lifestyle.”
Modern day male rockabillies often wear slim jeans, have a bandanna somewhere (ie. back pocket, or worn as a wrist cuff), and often wear a retro or vintage shirt, while female rockabillies love any sort of retro dresses, skirts, and tops, and wear dolled up hair. One of the more popular rockabilly hair styles among the ladies is the “Bettie Hair.” This refers to hairstyles similar to that of Bettie Page. Retro hair accessories are a must have for anyone trying to achieve the rockabilly look. Both male and female rockabillies today may adorn themselves in vibrant tattoos, and piercings, but don’t confuse them with “Psychobillies.”
“Psychobilly” is very similar to “Rockabilly” but usually has darker undertones in both music and dress. Some great physchobilly bands are Tiger Army, The Creepshow, and The Horrorpops. The clothing may consist of retro inspired clothing, but with darker or morbid prints, such as zombies, skulls, etc…instead of polka dots and cherries.
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Being bad to the bone may prove good for the bottom line.
Hoping to capitalize on the “skull chic” trend — marketers are plastering skulls, with or without crossbones, on everything from T-shirts and belts to dinner plates and jewelry. Urban Outfitters offers more than a dozen skull-stamped products such as a $20 dopp kit and $88 rolling suitcase online. Dior’s fine jewelry collection includes a diamond-encrusted skull pendant for $19,385 — with rubies or other gems in the eye sockets extra. Disney hopes to hook consumers with a bounty of licensed products that tie in with Pirates, including skull necklaces, rings, belt buckles and T-shirts at Target, Kmart, Wal-Mart and tween and teen accessory store Claire’s. Disney also has a “couture” line of Pirates jewelry at killer prices — from $150 to $4,000. “Skull and crossbones are really hot,” says Donna Sheridan, Disney consumer products’ general manager of soft lines. “It’s a great way to be edgy and relevant in a fashion piece and at the same time be fun for kids.” Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie dressed baby Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt in a skull and crossbones shirt for her first public photos, in People magazine. Others spied in the look: Lindsay Lohan and Ashlee Simpson. New Yorker Joe DeBono, 40, has a Ralph Lauren skull and crossbones belt and also gave his 10-year-old nephew, Connor, a skull and crossbones tie. DeBono said he wore his belt with a seersucker suit to an event for MBA Corps, a charity that recruits business graduates to do volunteer work, and it stood out in a corporate crowd. A bartender told him: “I wouldn’t have pegged you for a skull and crossbones type.” How marketers are trying to get ahead with skulls: •Accessories – Director Henry Deakin of cuff links maker Deakin & Francis says gold skulls with diamond eyes, rolled out two years ago, are “the most successful cuff links we’ve ever made.” The 220-year-old company’s skulls sell for up to $3,900 at Bergdorf Goodman. “We can’t make them fast enough,” he says. “We’ve probably sold close to a thousand pairs in 18 karats.” •Clothes –Designer Deborah Lindquist, who sells her pearl-and-skull-adorned cashmere cardigans and sweaters at high-end boutiques, gives a nod to Disney. “I have been doing the skull and crossbones since last fall,” she says. “Johnny Depp in the first Pirates of the Caribbean inspired me. He was so cute. … It’s one of the most popular items that I do.” Among more midmarket retailers, H&M is selling $24.90 skull-covered swim trunks and has more bone designs on the way in its fall goods. “It’s becoming more mainstream, and we’re seeing it more in everyday garments,” spokeswoman Lisa Sandberg says. Steve Cardino, a fashion director for Macy’s East, says the skull trend is “exploding” in all clothing areas. “It started fringe, more downtown. Now, we’re seeing it as much in the kids’ market as with men. For girls, you will see a pink skull or rhinestone skull.” •Home Goods – Sarah Cihat has a tough time keeping in stock her colorful, skull-decorated dinner plates that go for around $60. “I can’t make enough skulls,” she says. “They are continuously selling out. … I’m beginning to wonder if the trend will ever end.” At Brooklyn, N.Y.’s The Future Perfect, unusual $95 skull-covered throw pillows from EAT are huge sellers, manager Amanda McCreary says. Sara Ruffin Costello, creative director at design magazine Domino, says that an unexpected skull in home decor adds a bit of whimsy. “It’s ironic, it’s done with a wink,” she says. But she cautions that in decorating with skulls, less often is more. “It could go wrong, and you could look like (serial killer) Jeffrey Dahmer.” |
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