MODS OR ROCKERS ? The iconic British battle between the 2 youth subcultures of the 60s.
Originally, the style of a mod was characterised by a subtle neutralisation of gender roles; with women sporting broad shouldered blazers, boxy dresses and skirts and short pixie cuts; the stereotypical societal focus on the female figure was eliminated- acting as a metaphor for the second wave of feminism’s liberation movement (an era of addressing issues and demanding change).
Bold geometric patterns became popular as the mod style grew and strayed from the isolated grouped society it rooted from. The 60’s model, Twiggy remains to this day a fashion icon, paving the way for the popularisation of the mod movement. Her boyish and impressionable look acted as a catalyst for the 60’s youthful rebellion and lust for freedom that was so important to those apart of the mod subculture.
With their look being identifiable by the use of studs, spikes, leather and chains; elements of the rockers style are still spotted in modern day trends (the e-girl epidemic and trad-goth revival coming to mind). Inspired by American icons like actor Marlon Brando and fictional character Danny Zuko; the Rockers took the form of a British ‘greaser’, with a focus on motor racing and rock music, their style was built to be durable and truly wearable in all situations.
Contrasting to the Mods dedication to fashion, the rockers overall style and physical attributes left them isolated from socially booming parts of society: pubs, concerts and dance halls. This meant that they began expanding their
own social circle, further increasing tensions between the ever-growing Mod group.
The iconic feud between the Mods and Rockers was shaped by a variety of things, some being: social and political attitudes, music, fashion, art and class. With such opposing ideologies at the peak of both subculture’s popularity, physical riots began to break out in heavily youth populated areas such as Brighton.
One of the most significant differences between the two was their opinions on recreational drug use. With the mods night lives being heavily centred around the amphetamine wave of the mid-60’s, and the majority of rockers having an extreme distaste to any form of drug use (seeing no difference between cannabis and heroin) it’s clear to see where the moral clash between them came to light in social settings.
By looking at all the ways the two groups were divided; I think it’s clear to articulate how their differences are portrayed through their choice of style, this is probably emphasised by the fact that they’d have hated to be mistaken for each other.
INFLUENCES IN TODAYS FASHION
With brands like Moschino and Versace bringing back the iconic shape of the shift dress in recent years; the influence of the mod era is undeniably noticeable. This, paired with black and white patterns, headbands and practical purses throws us as viewers back in time, allowing us to reflect on the way we bring history back into our own personal styles.
Similarly, the Versace Spring/Summer 2023 show had a huge amount of looks adorned with leather and tassels; Adut Akech’s look (pictured above, 5 in) specifically mirrors the shape of a typical rockers reworked leather jacket, the femininity of the leather mini-skirt and cropped top co-ord does juxtapose the almost exclusively masculine demographic of the rockers in the 60s.
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