Mod to Suedehead - Page 438

Quote:

Originally Posted by buttons 


Where do I start?!
It depends on what look you really want but if you want summet that looks like an original Benny, this isn't it. I'd struggle to recommend one that is, but I'm sure there's plenty of lads on here could recommend whatever the market has to offer. I only wear original shirts (and pretty much original everything) but I haven't noticed any shirts available nowadays that would replicate an original British button down. Them new Brututs Trimfits - whilst being different to an original Brutus in every way, except for some of the fabrics (from a distance) don't look too bad, as a 1970 cheap shirt.
As for this red and white one ... whilst the check is twisted on the pocket, which is a sign of a cheaper shirt as Roy says, it was used on many original shirts at the time. However Ben Sherman twisted the check on the front placket (which costs more) and lined up the check or stripe on the top pocket. Also, the sleeve is a hem with a fold, which Jaytex (and one or two others) did, but Ben Sherman stopped doing after their oxford stripes and started using a cuff and fold which appeared on all later plains & checked short sleeved offerings (on their button downs anyway). The collar hasn't got the same cut, so will never lie right - less pointed, more squared off. If you bought a shirt from Fine Fair in '69, it had a far nicer collar than that. Second button is too low for a Benny, even more so for a checked one; its not slim fit (too straight up and down); probably doesn't have darts, the buttons have 4 holes (Ben Sherman always had 2, despite the 3 different types they used between '68 and '70). The hem around the bottom's not bad!
If they were a tenner each, I wouldn't get one.

Good post.

 I want Ben Sherman to return to their former glory :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by buttons 


There's a big difference in looking at 500 variations of Levis and deciding which ones fit with the skinhead era and why.

Considering that I am going to find myself in that situation soon...can someone give me some advices to buy the right pair of levis? I know that back in the days you original guys just asked for 501s...but nowadays it's a little more difficult as there are millions of different types! Which one should I get?

ok bantam , i went back to the royspeed shop last year , and the man himself was there we had a right chat he said that my SS 180 would have been taken in px , as he traded mostley in lambos, i asked if he would remember the cost and he said about 1 pound a CC so i reckon i give about 175  that sticks in my mind , what area was you from in your scooter days

Quote:

Originally Posted by buttons 


As I said though, it depends on what look you're after.
I've been buying original clothes since the mid 80s (when it was cheap and easy). I've spent a whole lot of time since shopping for such stuff, so I've a few bits to choose from. I know its nice to just go to the shop and get a new shirt, rather than scouring wierd shops full of junk trying to find summet in decent nick that fits. But what I always wanted was an original look. What better to carry it off then the original stuff that was worn back then? Obviously creating the look is a lot more than buying some old bits of ebay, throwing them together and expecting to look like a cool skinhead. But that's why I've spent all the time in between talking to old skinheads and looking at old pictures and figuring out what was what. This forum's been a good source of info as rather than a drunken 5 minute chat with some old bloke you met at the bar, its a well thought through comment on older times, hence full of detail and meaning.
There's plenty of stuff ye can buy nowadays and still carry off the look and from a styling point of view that can be achieved.
What hunting for old stuff has taught me is to be mindful of detail as you need to know what constitutes an original and what doesn't.
In '69, it was a lot easier as you went to the right shop and bought the coolest thing he had - relatively simple.
There's a big difference in looking at 500 variations of Levis and deciding which ones fit with the skinhead era and why. That's why I can comment on old bollocks like the cut of a Ben Sherman pocket, where that's something you would have never had to think about in '69.
Like going to the tailors and knowing what suit to ask for (as was mentioned the other day). If you don't know (and he doesn't know), it'll turn out wrong. Same as if you're at the shirt makers getting your original Ben Sherman copied, if you don't point out what details should be copied, to what accuracy and why, then you may as well buy a Mikkel Rude.
So I know that's a different mentality to how it was, but in so many many ways, its not 40-odd years ago and I'm not 17, but I'll try and recreate the look as best I can, with the resources available.
(but don't tell anyone I'm using a magic typewriter that lets me talk to total strangers, who live miles away!!)

Good post Buttons.I agree with the bit about throwing any old mixture of items from different eras of the skinhead evoloution and throwing them together.I respect blokes like Noddy who are into the smoothie style and wear the items accordingly.But I don`t get some skinheads wearing items like beagle collars,fair isle crew necks and norweigens.It seems to be in some peoples eyes,anything goes.Not for me I`m afraid.Each to there own though.Personally,I`m from the 80`s era and got into all this in about 1986 after a few years as a mod.However,I do very much like the original style and like to think I know my roots.I have picked up a few bits of decent original gear over the years,but these days,picking up proper clothes in bigger sizes is not an easy task.I did pick up a mint condition pair of cream Empire Made Levis Sta-prest a couple of years back,in a 38" waist-they were a great pair of trousers and fitted me a treat,but I ended up swapping them for a pair of tonic trousers as I was always worried I`d get something down them.Ironically,the bloke I swapped them with ended up getting his wifes pernod drink spilt down them! Can`t see me coming across many twisted tag bennys or sky jump Harringtons in XL type sizes any time soon.Looks like Mikkel Rude and Ben Nevis will continue to get my business for a while yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibaboxing777 

ok bantam , i went back to the royspeed shop last year , and the man himself was there we had a right chat he said that my SS 180 would have been taken in px , as he traded mostley in lambos, i asked if he would remember the cost and he said about 1 pound a CC so i reckon i give about 175  that sticks in my mind , what area was you from in your scooter days

Always lived in Bradford, was in the Bradford and Pudsey SC from ' 74 to ' 80, was # 1 at the end of my time. Club started in ' 68 and is still going.

Local scooter shop was Lens of Shipley, Saturday afternoons there were great with clubs showing up from all over the north.