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Man-of-Mystery · Apr 25, 2011

Originally Posted by Lasttye

Me why would i want to wear Original stuff when i already wore it once as a Original Lol.

I'm with you all the way on this. Maybe I still do have a Harrington, a pair of brogues, and a pair of Sta-Prest in my wardrobe, but that's because I like them and they suit me. Nothing I do will make me 17 again!

Lasttye · Apr 25, 2011

As i have said many present day skinheads have been skinheads non stop for the last 32 years, To them its a way of life. I was dating a present day skinhead Girl 32 years on the scene, even Her house is furnished and decorated 70s. Total respect for their dedication.

Get Smart · Apr 25, 2011

Originally Posted by Lasttye

even Her house is furnished and decorated 70s. Total respect for their dedication.

that's great. I thought only people in the rockabilly scene went that far, in terms of their household aesthetic being "correct" along with clothes and music.

Lasttye · Apr 25, 2011

Originally Posted by Get Smart

that's great. I thought only people in the rockabilly scene went that far, in terms of their household aesthetic being "correct" along with clothes and music.

That Skinhead Girl is Mandy J you have met Her Jason, A lovely person.

Get Smart · Apr 25, 2011

^^ Yes she is! I assumed that is who you were referring to. Her photo in "Spirit of 69" book is very striking, one of the images that always struck a chord with me in its awesomeness.

Alex Roest · Apr 25, 2011

Mandy J is a pretty well-known character on the revival scene I reckon. That pic from 'Spirit of '69' was also used in a decent piece on skinhead suits written by Gail McGee for the international version of Aggro (Dutch 'skinzine') called 'Dressing Hard-Dressing Smart' ...

Alex Roest · Apr 25, 2011

Originally Posted by Kingstonian

Lasttye is the most authentic. He is the only one wearing a tie, which was mandatory with a suit at the time.

Second left has a cravat. Never seen that before on skinheads.

Orange shirt was also too loud for a suit back in the day. Ditto check shirt.

I believe you've mentioned before mohair might be a little bit much for an older guy, especially the tonik version. Could be me, or us for that matter, but I tend to agree on that anyway...

Originally Posted by Lasttye

I think they are just copying what they saw in the Nick Knight book.

Around West London in the 60s, we kept the suit simple, I never saw loads of pockets, My suits that I wear these days are the exact copy of what I wore as an Original.

Perhaps in many cases the 'revival lot' just copied the exception rather than the rule, at least that is the impression I've always got. There's this quote of John Brideshead I used for one of my articles I think is significant saying 'you had to be relatively understated'...

Kingstonian · Apr 25, 2011

Originally Posted by Alex Roest

I believe you've mentioned before mohair might be a little bit much for an older guy, especially the tonik version. Could be me, or us for that matter, but I tend to agree on that anyway...

I would be too old for the two tone mohairs that change colour as you move, or the blue that the guy with cravat is wearing. A shiny suit I could probably get away with, but Prince of Wales check would probably be better on me.

As for the differences from 1969, they may not want a precise copy or a re-enactment as has been pointed out above.

Alex Roest · Apr 25, 2011

Originally Posted by Kingstonian

As for the differences from 1969, they may not want a precise copy or a re-enactment as has been pointed out above.

I've always been behind that sort of thing, but of course there are many ways to avoid re-enacting or becoming a new kind of clichÃ

, if you like...

I'd like to take the opportunity to post one of the most striking images of the 'new breed' that I've seen in all its simplicity:

Tom McCourt in '77 (before he turned 'suedehead' that is)...

Lasttye · Apr 25, 2011

Originally Posted by Kingstonian

I would be too old for the two tone mohairs that change colour as you move, or the blue that the guy with cravat is wearing. A shiny suit I could probably get away with, but Prince of Wales check would probably be better on me. As for the differences from 1969, they may not want a precise copy or a re-enactment as has been pointed out above.
Same here Kingstonian. None of us wore Two Tone in the 60s W London, Some of the Black kids did though, Plain Mohair, POW, and Dog Tooth was popular, Blazers was also worn. Two tone trousers started to come in late 70, By that time many of us was moving on. Just to Add i see where you are coming from Kingstonian, Two tone and shiny Mohair at our age ? I did think about this when i got one of my present Day suits made, But i work in Construction and do not wear suits for a living. Its a great feeling for me to get the suit on the odd weekend,

Get Smart · Apr 25, 2011

Originally Posted by Alex Roest

I'd like to take the opportunity to post one of the most striking images of the 'new breed' that I've seen in all its simplicity:

totally agree. That photo of Tom has to be one of the best skinhead pics ever.

I'm also of the opinion that a non-shiny suit looks better on most "gentlemen", but having seen pics from many 'dos that's obviously not an opinion shared by most.

Lasttye · Apr 25, 2011

Originally Posted by Get Smart

totally agree. That photo of Tom has to be one of the best skinhead pics ever.

I'm also of the opinion that a non-shiny suit looks better on most "gentlemen", but having seen pics from many 'dos that's obviously not an opinion shared by most.

The thing with Tonik , it was invented by Dormeuil in the mid 50s, and became popular in the 60s, So maybe 60s Skinheads looked at this Material as normal, and never gave it a second thought.
One day it may become popular again ??

Man-of-Mystery · Apr 26, 2011

Originally Posted by Lasttye

None of us wore Two Tone in the 60s W London
Now there's another interesting difference within the London area - two tone Tonik was worn south of the river.

Originally Posted by Lasttye

Some of the Black kids did though, Plain Mohair, POW, and Dog Tooth was popular, Blazers was also worn.
Never saw a blazer south of the river either, but plain mohair and PoW yes; a handful of blokes wore dog tooth check too.

Originally Posted by Lasttye

Two tone trousers started to come in late 70, By that time many of us was moving on.
Damn... you just made me think of 'Johnny Reggae' by the Piglets... I need to lie down in a darkened room. I wouldn't wear two tone mohair now at my age, but only because I think it wouldn't suit me.

Man-of-Mystery · Apr 26, 2011

What did we do 'back in the day' when it rained? The mods had pac-a-macs and parkas, but I don't remember any of our lot carrying umbrellas. Can anyone else who was 'there' in the late 60s remember doing anything other than turning their collars up and getting somewhere dry quick?

Alex Roest · Apr 26, 2011

According to Kevin Rowland the 'top boys' in Harrow, Willesden and Wembley wore long gaberdine, single-breasted, fly-fronted raincoats (usually navy, sometimes beige, occasionally off-white) in the early days.

Jim Ferguson states that Short straight, fly-fronted macs appeared with frequency in '69/'70 in off-white, iridescent blues & greys etc. This was the Skinhead outercoat (along with sheepskins)...

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