Call me a vintage snob. I will proudly admit that I am one. I have a fairly large collection of vintage clothing dating from the late 1920s to early 1950s. I've researched the patterns, designs and manufacturing of vintage clothing so that I know I'm getting a real vintage piece whenever I shop. I avoid online retailers in favor of antique/vintage fairs because I can study the clothing and try them on for size. However I choose to dress, I make sure to wear the accompanying make-up and hairstyle of its respective era. Here's an example:
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| Authentic 30s dress, oxfords, hair clip. 30s style MUAH |
These efforts require commitment and what I've noticed about those claiming a Rockabilly (RAB) lifestyle is that most won't put forth the effort and will rely on "repros" (mass produced reproduction clothing). After having attended some local
Rockabilly (RAB) shows, I'm very disappointed on what the genre has
become. At the same time, it's quite humorous to see folks trying so
hard to look 50s who utterly fail in their attempts and proceed to criticize others who do it right.
Companies like Stop Staring, Rock Steady, Trashy Diva, Revamp, (and now Bettie Page clothing), etc began reproducing the vintage styles en masse. While these companies can certainly be credited for reintroducing the styles to a younger generation, it has done more harm than good for the vintage aficionado. Those of us who do appreciate and respect the diverse eras of yesteryear are often shrugged off as snobs. They just don't get it.
These 20-somethings have crashed a scene (or two) and created a hodgepodge of different eras and proudly labeled it Rockabilly. They've mixed about 50 years of fashion and culture into one abomination. It isn't a lifestyle for them but a hobby in which they collect all things old without respecting its value. Membership in their scene consists of tattoos, black hair (slicked or pomped for the guys and bangs or rolls for the girls), cuffed jeans, repro dresses, a bad attitude and love of booze. Requirement number 1: Be an alcoholic. Requirement number 2: Be a total a-hole or b*tch.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoy Rockabilly. It's a music genre that I enjoy listening to as well as late 19th century popular, fox trot, classic big band/jazz, jump blues, classic country, Rock-n-Roll, DooWop, and finally, 80s New Wave. Somehow,
though, someone hijacked the music genre and made it a wardrobe faux pas purchasing low-end, high
priced repros to try to look more authentic. That's all well and good,
but here's the problem; it isn't authentic, nor is it creative.
This is what I've seen at various Rockabilly shows and VLV:
- Cuffed Jeans
- T-shirts (Lucky 13 seems to be the most popular)
- Converse shoes
- Motorcycle boots (and they don't ride motorcycles)
- Victory Rolls (This is WWII era!)
- Flower clips (also rooted in 40s fashion)
- Dramatically over made-up faces fit for a drag queen.
- Leopard Prints
- Polka Dots
- Cherries
- Gingham
- Black and Red colors (exclusively)
- At least 25 girls wearing the EXACT SAME DRESS from Bettie Page Clothing.
- Pin-up girls (they actually wore more clothing and less make-up during its heyday)
- Tattoos with the following themes: cherries, swallows (often misidentified as sparrows), dice, pistons, classic cars, lady luck, flames, brass knuckles, rat finks, spider webs, nautical stars, microphones, anything alcohol related (esp. Pabst)
- Foul mouthed (especially the women)
- Jiving/Strolling/Bopping (learn another dance!)
About 10% of the crowd wears authentic vintage clothing, and it's this crowd who are the nicest individuals who truly appreciate vintage eras. They don't describe themselves as a specific scene or era. They, too, shake their heads at these Rockasillies.
A while back, I came upon this youtube video mocking the culture. Rather, mocking posers who claim a "rockabilly lifestyle". I think it's a perfect fitting to end this post. Most readers who find themselves nodding as they read this will find the video humorous. Those who take offense to it are probably the very people I'm criticizing in this post. Relax, take a look at your repro wardrobe, trash it and start over. No one is telling you to stop trying to live a bygone era. Just do it right.