Mod to Suedehead - Page 19

As rarely as I check it, and as much as I'm not really a skinhead (the closest I get is at times copping the hair and similar styles, frequent wearing of various boots, occasional rolling up of the jeans, and occasionally listening to the odd bit of oi punk), I f*cking love this thread, possibly the most interesting in SW&D IMO. EDIT: Forgot to say, Man-of-Mystery, I enjoy reading every single one of your posts. It's interesting to hear about all this (dare I call it) history, especially when things like the old picture show up. Not sure if you fit in with the rest of the SW&D users (as in outside this thread), but in a way, that's probably a good thing.

I don't really fit in with anyone!

The best part of MoM's posts is that he shows his unique perspective on the late 60s. After hearing his and other guy's stories of their day (same time, around 68-9), you realize how differently (yet the same) skinhead was approached in different regions of England. Not something that can be easily pigeonholed to say "this is how it was", since 5 guys who lived it at the same time often have different perspectives on what it was all like, depending where they grew up.

While I was reading the above post and thinking back about the picture I posted the other day, I remembered the day out on which the pic was taken. I'll tell you about it...

My girlfriend (at the time) and I decided to go down to Margate on a Bank Holiday, as did a whole lot of other Londoners. The ranks of Skinheads in London had just been swelled by everyone's younger brothers, and the whole "aggro" scare had been taken up by the press. People in popular resorts had started to panic - whether justified or not - and "older" skins like myself regarded this with a degree of amused cynicism. However, when my young lady and myself walked up to the funfair, someone on the gate told us "No boots!" I shrugged my shoulders, and we walked away. Then we spotted a shop selling flip-flops for the beach, so I went to buy a pair; my bird bought a pair too, so I wouldn't look too daft I guess. We put my boots and her shoes into the carrier bag, and went to the nearest entrance to the funfair (a different one from the first). There a jobsworth said "No jeans!" Well I blew up at this, and demanded to see the manager. I told the jobsworth that we had already been turned away because of my boots, and no one at the other gate had said anything about jeans, and did he expect me to ruin a decent pair of strides in a funfair. I can't remember whether we got in eventually because I had stood up for myself, but I do recall that by halfway through the day there were no more jobsworths at the entrances, and people were just coming in as they pleased. I don't recall any "aggro" on that day anyway.

We enjoyed the funfair!

By the way, I was once asked why we (late 60s mods and later skinheads) wore "those awful braces". The answer was that they actually made your strides, and particularly Levis, hang better, and contributed to the sharp look. Originally they were worn exclusively under sweaters, jackets, etc, and were not necessarily for show themselves.

M-o-M

Am definitely going to try and import this term to the US.

Go for it!

I agree with this. Occasionally I still wear braces with certain trousers (usually with a waistband that's slightly too big and I havent been bothered to have it tailored, so even with a belt the rear will like to drop a bit causing an uneven line at the back of trou, when seen from the side). Def can be a practical item, but i think most nowadays just wear them for show

I already use "jobsworth" here in Oz, but outside of my inner circle, no one ever gets it or cares to remember it. Also, interesting to hear about the braces, that was something I always wondered about. I thought it was for show, but then again I know very little of the skinhead origins (or should I say knew). I wore them for a short period of time, but I don't think I ever warmed up to the idea of wearing them regularly. Nowadays, I just make sure all my waists fit perfectly (or I get them tailored at some point) and usually wear them bare. I guess I like the simplicity of one less item.

Impossible when you get to middle age!

Thank God I'm nowhere near the stage I'll have to start thinking about it. I'm 20 btw.

Actually, I have a question. Do any of you wear Fred Perry polos? Is buttoning one all the way up the default option for most skins, something done by some at some times, or rarely if at all? Just curious, been pulling out my MIE polos over the past week and it got me thinking.

Yes, I still do, even at the age of 60. Buttoning depends on context; on me, at my age, unbuttoning the top button looks best, but I recall that in the 60s it seemed to be de rigeur to button them all the way up.

I wear the occasional FP polo, and I think I look too much like a blowpop when it's done up entirely. I tend to wear them untucked though, especially this time of year.

I started wearing braces recently, mostly for work, but I can see myself wearing them outside of work as well, in the later months. It's too hot for jeans now, and braces with shorts....it just shouldn't happen, ever. I find they stop that annoying sag, and are much more comfortable when bending/crouching/etc. They look pretty sharp, and they help my posture which definitely makes me look better.

Right now, though, I wear them under something, so they're not that obvious.

I dont wear my FP polos anymore (or any polos for that matter), just prefer a buttondown shirt these days

I agree with MoM tho, it's in the context of the wearer. A young skinny guy it looks good to button the polo all the way. A young burly/stocky guy, it looks mental. Older guys, def looks mental to button all the way.

This threads been a real good read thus far. I really hope TIE 86 ends up on the BBC in the U.S. (how is milky in this?) Lol's hair is lookin nice.