Greasers in Modern day Media

Since the greaser subculture is basically dead, there is not much media coverage of its existence. Although, elements of greaser style are no stranger to editorial fashion. Some elements as simple as a leather jacket, a heavily gelled hairstyle, or a “cool” pose could be on the next page of your favorite magazine. Since nostalgia is a common troupe for fashion, your idol, whether, actor, artist or model, may be wearing something very similar to a greaser’s classic threads. I’ve complied a short photo gallery of numerous celebrities and models who have modeled familiar greaser looks or have captured the essence of the aesthetic.

David Beckham – Mr. Beckham arguably keeps his look simple, but badass. With his pompadour slicked hair, a plain white t, and tattoos out the wazoo.

Lady Gaga – During one of her many style reinventions back in 2011, Lady Gaga assumed the male alter-ego, Joe Calderone. He a slick talking Brooklyn greaser, and her first experience in full drag. Joe became the voice for Gaga to confess certain elements of her personal life. She spent two weeks in the role, to discover her vice in men.

Jason Dardo – Otherwise known for their drag person, Violet Chachki. This photograph features the gender fluid drag performer before they got their tattoos. I have to note the sick pompadour roll they’ve styled their hair into.

Gilles Marini – the French actor strike a pose in this Elvis Presley inspired photograph.

Rihanna – The Barbados native walked around the streets in a female greaser oriented fashion. One of the photos from this photoshoot was used for the cover of her single, “We Found love”.

Lorde – In her “Yellow Flicker Beat” music video, Lorde featured an androgynous look, with a pompadour hair style.

Lana Del Rey and Jesse Rutherford – In this picture, the new age artists flaunt hot leather jackets with dark hair and a tough attitude.

Dorothy – There is not too much information on this newly emerged California rock artist, but she is serving a “rockbabe” look if I’ve ever seen one in this photo.

Kendal Jenner - For a photoshoot, The Jenner dynamo sported a Sandy Olsson inspired getup in this vintage background.

It's comforting to see the Greaser style in media and to see it influence fashion. I do have a question for my audience this time around, when have you seen Greaser fashion used in media or editorials?

And away we go, Rockabeau ;)

Greaser Style: Now

So, how can we evolve the limited selection that is Greaser fashion?

Now in modern day, the lines of fashion are more blurred and expansive for any style. We can have blends of greaser and rockabilly. We can put a little dash of punk or grunge into Greaser fashion. Modern day fashion takes inspiration from past trends, and popular figures. Nostalgia has become a common troupe in pop culture, hence this blog. For instance, Elvis and Jimmy Dean has been an inspiration for my style of dress. 

I would like to show you my take on greaser fashion is updated with more current trends. Instead of a black leather jacket, I have a brownish, dark chocolate colored jacket. I would pair it with slim fit bright jeans with some unique design elements, a plain white t-shirt, and black leather sneaker/boot hybrid.

Jacket: Express

Boots: Call it Spring

Jeans: H&M

Shirt: Fruit of the Loom

Since Elvis Presley was a huge inspiration for greasers, you can try and emulate his jailhouse rock look, like I did. I paired a jean jacket, with normal jeans and a black and white bar t-shirt. The ensemble is topped off with black leather derby shoes.

Jacket: unknown

Jeans: Levi’s

Shirt: H&M

Shoes: H&M

I personally like to incorporate a little Rockabilly into my style of dress. I did so with a red, white, and blue flannel, a simple, white t-shirt, cuffed blue jeans and purple converse. I added grey socks and a red bandana to both fit the style and give it more edge.

Shirt: Volcom

Jeans: Levi’s

Shoes: Converse

Since, I’m not afraid to pair denim on denim, I bought a denim button down, which I tucked into my jeans. You can cut the fabric channel with a black belt. I added a gold and navy bandana tied to my wrist. I added black leather Chelsea style boots to give it a slickness to it.

Shirt: H&M

Jeans: Levi’s

Boots: H&M

Lastly, I noticed a stellar denim and leather hybrid jacket on Amazon. I figure it would go great with a blue and white strip shirt, black spandex/cotton blend pants and white vans.

Jacket: Zicac

Shirt: On the Byas

Pants: On the Byas

Shoes: Vans

Send in your ideas and combinations about what you would put into the mix of greaser fashion!
Away we go, Rockabeau ;)

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 ;)