Mod to Suedehead

Well, Bunty .... They're not sta press or cords and crease like denim. Of all the pictures I've seen of your brother, he wasn't a shabby dresser, so unlikely to be in a cheap pair of jeans. He didn't live in 'Wrangler country' (and they obviously don't look like Wranglers!) The only Levi's I've seen from that time with a double raised seam on the inside leg are a very rare pair of 502 zip flies, which I think came out the year after the picture was taken and didn't fade like that either. The dye Lee were using in the 60s (and previous decades) was much less stead-fast than that of Levi, so as the jeans wore in, they lost their colour much faster, allowing a much paler finish (that Levi usually didn't reach until long after that'd worn through (unless you have some obsessive washing habits)). If you're going to the reggae do in Leicester this afternoon, I'll show you on mine.
I may be Wrong, Bunty but if I was a betting man.....

And I must correct you Roy but the best jeans in the world (in my humble personal opinion) are from 60s America. Admittedly hard to find and crazy expensive but much superior in every detail.
The Japs do some nice selvedge denim, some nice thread, detail etc but from a skinhead point of view, they're not what you old folk were wearing in the late 60s. Much of the so called vintage and heritage models of old styles they do now (by Wrangler, Lee and LVC) are utter shite, but if you're patient and choosy, you can get some close examples, without paying 900quid for originals and without having obscure *** pocket arcuates.

buttons said:

And I must correct you Roy but the best jeans in the world (in my humble personal opinion) are from 60s America. Admittedly hard to find and crazy expensive but much superior in every detail.
The Japs do some nice selvedge denim, some nice thread, detail etc but from a skinhead point of view, they're not what you old folk were wearing in the late 60s. Much of the so called vintage and heritage models of old styles they do now (by Wrangler, Lee and LVC) are utter shite, but if you're patient and choosy, you can get some close examples, without paying 900quid for originals and without having obscure *** pocket arcuates.

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Respect to you for your detailed knowledge on denim etc. I need a couple of pairs of good quality jeans. 45 years ago I could have gone to my local high street and bought a pair of Levi's or Lee that fitted the bill, but not any more. Most denim sold today is, as you say, utter shite.What to do? Most clothing made today is only made to last 'a season' to keep you coming back for more.

Man-of-Mystery said:

This is another piece of footwear which has been discussed earlier in the thread. I first came across them in 1968 in S E London. Some blokes had them in black but most of us went for the chestnut-coloured ones. I wore a pair on one of my trips back to Blackpool/Manchester; they weren't much good for the flashy dancing lads went in for in the NW.

The main trouble with them was keeping them looking new. When they were brand new there was a noticeable ridge right down the front of the boot to the toe, and this was very distinctive. But it soon disappeared. Also the soles were quite soft leather (because they were made not to chafe a horse's side) and wore down very quickly. Down-at-heel they looked ghastly, and getting them soled and heeled never quite restored the look, so the fad for them didn't last long.

Some blokes did keep wearing them. I recall a mate of mine called Chris - his clothes style was the same as ours but he had shoulder-length red hair - who persisted wearing a pair well into 1969.

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I realize that sometimes we are going over old ground but with new people coming on to the site all the time it may be they have something new to offer. I was late to this party and I read the first 500 odd pages before posting much.What interests me is the way the trends spread across the country, back in the '60's, in a matter of days or weeks. Long before the internet or mobile phones were around. So I like to hear from others around the country. Like other Londoners I used to think that London was at the centre of the universe and that all trends started there, but I no longer think so.
I had forgotten the crease in the riding boot and the fact that it disappeared. True the sole was soft but at the time I didn't realize it was because of the horse! They didn't last long even with care.

buttons said:

And I must correct you Roy but the best jeans in the world (in my humble personal opinion) are from 60s America. Admittedly hard to find and crazy expensive but much superior in every detail.
The Japs do some nice selvedge denim, some nice thread, detail etc but from a skinhead point of view, they're not what you old folk were wearing in the late 60s. Much of the so called vintage and heritage models of old styles they do now (by Wrangler, Lee and LVC) are utter shite, but if you're patient and choosy, you can get some close examples, without paying 900quid for originals and without having obscure *** pocket arcuates.

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Pound for Pound the closest fit and the best quality denim I personally have are the Edwin Nashville's.I have some Fullcount which have the things that Denimheads love such as the leg twist (which could be hit or miss) but I can do without that at the extra cost.
A close second (Fit wise) for me would be Lucky 2000 Vintage .You can pick these up on Ebay,used from time to time in great condition for around $40 .They are non selvage,but a 60's fit that are hard to beat at the price.The thing I insist on is a Button Fly and high rise front /back all these fit the bill.

Hello to all of you,

i am a long time reader of this forum.
When you will see my name and avatar, you will understand why my English is not perfect...
Well, my first encounter with the look date to a homestay i made in England around 1979, in
Leicester. I was very impressed with the style, was very fond of ska, and adopted the look and ethos back here.
My older brother (who could have been one of the French student that MOM met from time to time...)
told me: eh, there is nothing new with skinheads, they existed in the early seventies...
Well, years have passed, and i changed, hair grew longer (not to much), but i always maintained some elements of the style, to that day.
Anyway, i have got a question for you all. I remember i had in the eighties a trouser, sta-press style but pinstripe, black and dark grey, that i had bought in London.
At the time it was popular with skins. Was it an eighties thing, or were they popular in the early seventies?



buttons said:

And I must correct you Roy but the best jeans in the world (in my humble personal opinion) are from 60s America. Admittedly hard to find and crazy expensive but much superior in every detail.
The Japs do some nice selvedge denim, some nice thread, detail etc but from a skinhead point of view, they're not what you old folk were wearing in the late 60s. Much of the so called vintage and heritage models of old styles they do now (by Wrangler, Lee and LVC) are utter shite, but if you're patient and choosy, you can get some close examples, without paying 900quid for originals and without having obscure *** pocket arcuates.

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Totally agree Will, 60s American Levis/Lee was the business, thats why the Japanese bought all the looms from Levis in the 80s..so they could reproduce the Levis of old, I did pick up a nice pair of Levis repros in South Beach Miami 10 years ago,
Its awfully hard to get hold of original Big E Levis and as you said silly money is paid for them,

I got hold of a nice 1968 Levi Jacket some years ago, the ones that was well waisted, which i am pleased to say still fits me ,



Clouseau said:

Hello to all of you,

i am a long time reader of this forum.
When you will see my name and avatar, you will understand why my English is not perfect...

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Bienvenu, Monsieur L'Inspecteur!

Bob the Badger,I agree it is quite amazing how trends spread around the country,i have said before that we saw people wearing diffferent kit at football or the seaside otherwise it was word of mouth.I have been fascinated with the "regional variations" this probably wouldnt be the case now with the internet.Also your comments about sourcing jeans..when the book of this thread was being talked about,someone (Brideshead ?)mentioned a section on where to buy items of clothing and shoes now,it was said that this info would soon become out of date,i would find it useful if there was some kind of online page where people could recommend suppliers of clothing/shoes (nice quality Prince of Wales check trousers please).On friday i was talking to the guy i work with (he is 60 and from London),i told him that in the 70s i was envious of Londoners for 3 reasons...1,Shops (more choice) 2,the amount of first division football clubs. 3,the tube (best transport system ever,and something Londoners take for granted,until they come here!!).

Man-of-Mystery said:

Bienvenu, Monsieur L'Inspecteur!

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From the Sureté or Paris, Monsieur...

Thank you MOM for your welcome. By the way, i am a big fan of Scotland...

Clouseau, Welcome aboard...I dont remember seeing Skinheads wearing pinstripes here in Bristol,but they may have done in other cities,someone on here will know !

Lasttye.That Schott A2 jacket looks tidy,i like that style of jacket and i always keep an eye out for a good one,maybe i will be lucky one day (same with the made in USA brogues).I know that you said it wasnt skinhead wear,but browniecj said he saw them in East London,bunty posted a story about some of the Mile End mob wearing them on a night out in Waltham cross,and in a book i have by Micky Smith (a West Ham skinhead) called "Want some Aggro,he mentions wearing a US air force leather jacket.So it looks like some skinheads in that area were wearing them,i was wondering if that could be because Silvermans is in Mile End ? they still stock various A2 jackets now,what do you reckon?. Anyway even if they werent worn back then i still think that they look good,McQueen had one in the Great escape and if it was good enough for him then its good enough !

Thank you Cerneabbas. Those trousers were english, but after all it was maybe only a fad with french skins? They looked really good with crombies and DM's or brogues.
On the subject of jeans, i bought last year on sale (otherwise to bloody expensive) a Lee riders 101, with selvedge. I love it. Compare to a 501 it's higher waisted, but the legs are narrow, quite fit. The color is very nice too. I think Sherlock Buttons is right, because it really looks like the jeans pictured on bunty's brother photo, even if they are not vintage.

Cerneabbas, totally agree, what a great look. Roy mentioned a similar style last week too. I think that I've read that the style conscious Steve Mcqueen was allowed to wear his own clothes in the film. More or less stated here.

http://stevemcqueenstyle.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/walk-mile-in-his-boots.html


Hello Clouseau, 'your English is not perfect' ? It's better than mine mate. Welcome.

Buttons - You're starting to scare me now I'll get back to you regarding the Lee Riders

Hi Bunty, well you didn't hear my accent yet...