London has been a hotbed for unique and unconventional fashion since the mid-20th century. Despite being the capital of a country that embraces tradition and conserves its centuries-long heritage, some of the most earth-shattering moments in fashion happened here. Not the least of which was the rise of punk style in the 1970s. Designers like Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren heralded this rebellious look, giving a mainstream face to the British capital's underground scene and upholding the destructive force of fashion as an art form. With its many layers, how can you look punk yourself? Here are some helpful tips!
Layer Up With Leather
First and foremost, you need to have something leather on you. It's a good place to start since a leather jacket is already a
London-style staple. However, although the piece is inherently punk in its own right, simply wearing it isn't enough to convey the spirit of the underground style. A leather moto jacket paired with a snarky t-shirt is always a good and easy option. With just these two layers alone, you can already convey the edginess of punk style. Now, if you top it off with either a pair of leather pants or spikey leather boots, even better!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Dare To Do Denim
As quintessentially punk leather can be, at times it can get look too stereotypical. Like you're going for a cartoonish version of punk rather than exhibiting the style yourself. And what if leather simply isn't your thing? Well, there's still denim! A slightly oversized and imposing denim jacket has all the edge and toughness of a leather moto jacket. Some may even argue it's more contemporary too! After all, denim is a mainstay among
British high street brands! You can easily get one when you shop in
London's designer outlet stores and the like.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Skinnier The Jeans The Better
Speaking of denim, there's also, of course, the jeans! Leather pants are also good but let's face it, you wouldn't want your legs to suffocate or chaff, don't you? A pair of skin-tight jeans is enough to display the punk spirit. And despite the risk of suffocating your legs, the skinnier the jeans, the better! A nice below-the-waist style in dark blue, navy, or black hues harken back to what the punk bands wore in London's underground scene back in the day. Even
British designers like
Vivienne Westwood and
Alexander McQueen chose skin-tight silhouettes to show off their punk styles. A pair of skinny jeans is only a more casual take on their runway versions.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
These (Combat) Boots Are Made For Walking
Now, let's talk footwear! In London punk style, there are only really two types of footwear that really capture the essence of the aesthetic. One is a pair of
Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers and the other is a pair of black combat boots. The other has fallen slightly out of favor among punks these days as the iconic footwear has become more associated with sportswear and streetwear. So these days, combat boots reign supreme! Tough, edgy, and militaristic, it has all the power and angst that makes punk style so eye-catching in the first place!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Tailoring Works Too!
Remember that the punk look has roots in London, the fashion capital that has a strong affinity and heritage for tailoring. With so
many tailors in the city, you'd think they'd also influence punk style, right? Correct! True to their own sartorial influences, many London punks have incorporated tailoring into the style. Think blazers and jackets with ripped elbows, frayed hems, and mismatched lapels. Or paring a well-cut suit—preferably in a dark hue—with slogan t-shirt that conveys a rebellious message (maybe even a curse word!). That's the sort of upside-down twist punk style has had on British fashion!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Buttons And Pins Make The Look
What about embellishments? Punk is eye-catching, right? Is it because of sparkling sequins or
Swarovski crystals? Of course not! It's because of the buttons and safety pins! Remember, London's punk style is practically a twist take on traditional fashion. This will also include a topsy-turvy approach to couture techniques. While red carpet dresses may have that razzle-dazzle of sparkle and shine, punk style grabs attention via safety pin decoration or sloganed pin buttons. They're edgy and tough with a touch of humor to them too! The buttons can even be a tad traditional too, such as a nod to
The Beatles, The Queen, and the like!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Style With Studs
Of course, you can't have a conversation about punk style without studs! It's practically the 'Swaroski crystals' of the underground aesthetic. To really make your look shine, a studded piece will go a long way! Studded leather jackets, studded jeans, studded boots, studded everything! Simple and succinct, they add a toucher and edgier dimension to a look. Not to mention they make for attention-grabbing embellishments too! And since punk is also rooted in maximalism, the more studs you have, the better! You might even go so far as to add studs to a plain white t-shirt and it'd still look punk as hell!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Nothing says more 'London style' than looking like a punk! This underground aesthetic has defined a large part of British fashion over the years. And you can look like one yourself if you follow any or all of these style tips!
Even though you look like a classic London punk, that's no reason you can't go for a
luxury home here! You won't look out of place in one even with this sort of style!
