Greasers in Media, History, Marlon Brando, and his character Johnny Strabler

The greaser subculture had a tremendous effect of popular culture. 1950’s America was a time of superficiality. The age of the nuclear family had reached America. The newfound social norm of a man and a women had to have a house with a white picket fence and 2 ½ kids. Deviation from this mindset was just as bad as nuclear war. Being a rebel not only meant you were different, but that you didn’t have to give in to the American ideal of consumerism, and perfection. Greasers became a symbol for rebellion. Media jumped on the idea of this subculture and producers put their lifestyle and symbol into entertainment.

One of the first films to feature the subculture was The Wild One. It stared one of the greatest living actors of the time, Marlon Brando. The film was also a first outlaw biker gang film. Brando portrayed Johnny Strabler, the leader of the Black Rebels Motorcycle gang. He and his crew make a pit stop in western style town after stealing a racing trophy. A second motorcycle gang, led by Johnny’s rival, shake up the gang and the town.

The film went on to influence Elvis Presley’s character in Jailhouse Rock. It even influenced a fad of sideburns adorned by fellow contemporary James Dean, and Elvis. It is also rumored that The Beatles got their name form the rival bike gang in the film, alternatively titled the Beetles. Brando himself held the spirit of a greaser. He was naturally rebellious. In his youth, he was expelled from high school for riding his motorcycle through the halls. Not the brightest decisions but he still had heart. He had fended off a fellow classmate (Wally Cox) from a bully and declared himself Cox’s “new best-friend”. Thus proving that Brando wasn’t afraid to stand up for the little guy. 

Greaser Style: Then

There is a definite good and bad about greaser fashion. It is easily identifiable but almost too limited in selection. Of course, women have a larger collection of looks due to an abundance of different types of clothes, while men are left with just shirts, jeans, jackets and footwear. Unless you don’t mind societal gender standards, then any selection of garment is all up to you.

Denim, leather and cotton were the most popular types of fabric used by greasers. Durable fabrics were needed for the dirty jobs that greasers would work, such as a being a mechanic. Flannels, tank tops, t-shirts and button downs with rolled up sleeves were also acceptable looks. A mute color scheme, such as grey and navy, is a preferable selection to complete the classic look. Footwear included motorcycle boots, leather boots, and sneakers. Shoes in the subculture are usually a Converse brand.

Accessories to the classic greaser aesthetic include leather gloves, tube socks and a switch comb. A now not-so-acceptable habit of smoking cigarettes completed the aesthetic. A classic outfit for a greaser is a plain white t-shirt, black leather jacket, boot cut jeans and black motorcycle boots. This ensemble was worn by Marlon Brando in The Wild One.

There was not much documented for women’s wear on account that women were still treated like property in the greaser gangs. They weren’t revered as much as their male counterparts, but there just as identifiable as the men. Some stereotypical styles of dress for women in the gang were black tops with white polka dots, bandanas worn to keep up-dos in place, a pencil skirt, and red heels.

The classic look of greaser didn’t focus too much on trying to be different. It was just nonchalant at the time. Men and women weren’t afraid to show off their attributes such as toned arms or sick tattoos. But if you’re stick thin like me, a hot leather jacket can still grab anyone’s attention

And away we go, Rockabeau ;)