Party Outfits for the Christmas Season

Goth, emo and punk doesn’t exactly scream “Christmas spirit”. Blankets of snow, bright red Santa hats and twinkling spruce may seem like a world away from your culture; however, if you want to incorporate a little Christmas cheer into your alternative attire, there are plenty of options.
Throughout December you’ll probably get invited to a few Christmas parties, and just because you have a fashion sense that may not conform to the norm, that’s no excuse not to get involved. We explore how to make the most out of the Christmas season without jeopardizing your alternative image.

Punk
The whole punk philosophy and Christmas don’t really blend. Swap Santa’s red and white outfit to a leather jacket and studded necklace and he probably wouldn’t be the man he is today. One of the best things about punk is that you can easily incorporate a little red without hindering your style. A red chequered skirt or tartan trousers could work very nicely with a black leather jacket. If you’d prefer to take a more obvious route, gel your hair up in a Mohawk and spray each spike red and white.

Goth
Surprisingly the Gothic style blends very well with Christmas colours. Black Christmas trees with red decorations are very popular, so feel free to replicate this style in your attire. Deep red lipstick, nail polish and highlights can brighten up your look without making it overbearing. Clip a red bow to your hair or wear a red corset top if you’d like to take the festivities further.

Rockabilly
The fundamental colours behind the rockabilly style are red and white – perfect base colours for your Christmas themed outfit. Wear skinny fit jeans or rockabilly dresses with white and red leggings; and throw in a retro Christmas jumper to complete the look. If you’re heading outside, simply build on what you already have with a Russian hat and winter jacket in white faux fur.

Emo
Unlike the punk and Gothic style, emo is a little more relaxed when it comes to colour. In fact, you could probably get away with simply adding a Santa hat to your outfit during the holiday season. To take a less obvious approach, consider wearing a red and white mini skirt or red Doc Martins. Accessorize around other common Christmas themes – a silver bell necklace for example.

Fancy Dress
December is a time for celebration and you’ll probably have a few a few fancy dress parties to attend throughout the month. If so, incorporate classic Santa themed attire into a zombie or steampunk getup. Most people will probably wear the same boring Santa outfit, so taking an undead or cyberpunk approach will certainly add a little more flavour to the mix.
The Christmas season is fast approaching and it’s better to get prepared early. Start planning now and get over to Soho’s Clothing.

Women's Rockabilly Style Tips For The Winter

It's definitely starting to get colder, and let's face it; the rockabilly style isn't the most winter friendly. With the season change on the horizon, it might be worth getting a few extra bits so you can cope with the wet weather.

Rockabilly is modelled on 50's clothing. Over the years many different subcultures have developed out of the style, such as gothabilly and punkabilly, and each one has its own unique features. Regardless of genre the fundamentals remain the same.

Layering Up

Don't think you have to lose your skirts and dresses just because the weather won't allow it. Layer up with an oversized 50's style jacket in an animal print design and put on a pair of leggings. If you'd prefer to take a Gothic or punk approach, wear a leather trenchcoat. Make sure your coat clings to your body. One of the most important elements of dressing in the rockabilly style is showing off your curves.

Knitwear is perfect for keeping warm; however, it's far from waterproof, so make sure you don't go out in the rain. Cardigans, turtlenecks and “Christmas” jumpers all scream rockabilly when in the right context. Choose your colours wisely, and if in doubt, opt for the classics – red, black or white.

Keeping It Casual
For a more casual, dressed down look wear a red, navy and emerald flannel shirt. Flannel material was very popular in the 50's and 60's and is typical of the traditional country-themed rockabilly style. One of the benefits of wearing flannel is that it's an excellent insulator and will keep you nice and toasty in the cold weather.

Now it's starting to get a little wet outside, change your footwear to a pair of leather-based Converse All Stars. A pair of canvas Converse will easily get soaked through, even if there's just a spot of drizzle. For a gothabilly or punkabilly approach, black leather shoes or boots are ideal.

Keep Patterns in Mind

Remember to keep the classic rockabilly patterning in mind when wearing a blouse, dress or skirt. While this clothing isn't exactly exposed if you're wearing a coat over the top, certain parts will still show through and accentuate the rockabilly style. Polka dots in red, white or black are typical of the style.

If you feel like the weather's getting the best of you and you have to cover up your rockabilly features, opt for animal print leggings or tights. Remember that you can always accessorize to add a little more flavour to the mix. A Russian style fur hat, pair of leather driving gloves and a vintage scarf could be the perfect addition to your rockabilly outfit.

At Soho's we stock clothing suitable for every alternative style, regardless of the weather. Start preparing yourself for the winter and check out our vast selection of rockabilly clothing.

Punk Fashion Through The Ages

Although punk rock was born in the 60's, it didn't gain international notoriety until the 70's. During this time the style really started to take on a life of its own. Over the years punk fashion has adapted into a number of different subcultures, each with their own distinct look. This post explains how punk fashion has changed and adapted throughout the last four decades.

1970's

Punk clothing was initially handmade, often stitched together from scrap denim and leather. After the rise of bands such as the New York Dolls and the Ramones, punk clothing started getting mass produced for sale in record shops, speciality clothing stores and even fashion magazines.

Early punk fashion was deliberately anti-materialistic and usually unkempt. In the UK, the vast majority of the designs stemmed from famed designers Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren. In fact, McLaren is often credited as birthing the style on a commercial level.

Typical items in the 70's punk scene included offensive slogan t-shirts, leather jackets, custom blazers and patches with band logos. Towards the latter half of the 70's the scene started to incorporate BDSM styling, such as fishnet stockings and spiked bands.

1980's

During the 80's, what's generally considered “typical punk fashion” emerged and the scene was exemplified by the hardcore bands Black Flag, Minor Threat and Fear. While punk fashion sprouted an array of subgenres during this era, many of the original 70's features remained the same.

While both the British and American punk scenes fused together, certain aspects of the American fashion style never quite made it over the Atlantic. For example, punks from the DC scene often adorned flannel shirts, ripped jeans and long hair. This style was especially popular in Seattle and paved the way for what would later become grunge.

One of the most prominent changes in 80's punk fashion was the footwear. No outfit was complete without Dr. Martins, motorcycle boots or combat boots. Hairstyles also got more extreme. Tall mohawks in vibrant colours and Misfits' style devilocks were very popular, and even to this day, form the basis of the horror punk genre.

1990's

During the 90's everything changed. With punk and hardcore music no longer popular on a mainstream level the traditional punk style started to fade. The emergence of the skate punk bands of the mid 90's such as Green Day and Blink 182 caused the fashion style to take a more toned down approach.

Typical skate punk features include suede footwear, baggy t-shirts, jeans and workman’s trousers. The colouring also took on a whole new vibrant approach, virtually abandoning the darker undertones of previous decades.

2000's – present

Since the early 00's punk fashion has fused with many other genres and styles, creating a vast array of subcultures. Some of these styles have even mixed with more mainstream musical genres such as dance and pop, creating a more varied movement that's distanced itself from the original political ideologies.

At Soho's punk clothing suitable for every subgenre. Whether you prefer the dark features of the 70's and 80's or the more contemporary approach, we have something for you.

How To Dress Like A Rockabilly Pinup Girl

 Rockabilly fashion is most notable for its combination of bold colours and vintage style. While it's not overly common to see people walking the streets in a rockabilly getup, the genre has made quite a comeback in recent years. If you want to start dressing like a rockabilly pinup girl, these tips will help you get started.

Tops

One of the primary benefits of dressing in rockabilly clothing is that there are no barriers when it comes to colours and patterns. Start with a tank top, halter top or blouse in a bold colour. Polka dots and strips are the most common forms of patterning; however, feel free to experiment with feminine florals and other interesting shapes.

Dresses

Dresses are without a doubt a fundamental aspect of the rockabilly pinup style and are almost always vibrant and loud. Choose a dress that snugly fits around the contours of your body and stops just below the knee. Red, white or black with polka dot patterning is a classic combination. If you're not a dress person, you can always use a skirt instead, providing you have the right top to complement it.

Shoes

When it comes to footwear there's only one way to go – 3 to 4 inch heels! Don't shy away from vibrant colours if the rest of your outfit is red, white or black. If heels really aren't your thing, use 50's style saddle shoes instead. Although these aren't “typical” of the rockabilly style, they're an ideal compromise.

Hair and Makeup

Jet black hair is the chosen colour for most rockabilly pinup girls. Styles usually centre on curled or pinned-up hair with the addition of flower or bow accessories. Keep your makeup bright and bold. Use a thick helping of deep red lipstick, a little eyeliner and foundation to give a flawless look. Top it all off with some blush to give your cheeks some colour.

Tattoos

The modern rockabilly style often incorporates tattoos, especially the punk and Gothic subcultures; however, they are by no means essential. If you go down the tattoo route, classic examples include cards, cherries, roses and sailor themed motifs.

Similar Styles

It's not uncommon for rockabilly fashion to fuse with other, more alternative styles. Psychobilly, trashabilly gothabilly and punkabilly all take inspiration from the classic 50's and 60's retro look and simply add that element of darkness. These unique styles are often reflected through musical taste.

Now you know how to dress like a rockabilly pinup beauty, feel free to visit Soho's clothing. We have a vast collection of rockabilly clothing styles to choose from.

Gothic Fashion Styles

Understanding what's considered “Gothic style” requires knowledge of the different subcultures within Gothic culture. Each style differs greatly from one another depending on which materials, colours, influences and themes are used to create the look.

 

Romantic

Romantic Gothic clothing is the most elegant of all. It mainly takes inspiration from the Medieval and Renaissance eras and uses fabrics such as velvet, silk, chiffon and lace. Tight corsets and chokers are typical of the style, along with religious themed jewellery, smoky eyes and dark lips.

Industrial

The fashion style of the future and inspired by post-apocalyptic movies such as Mad Max, The Matrix and Blade Runner; and electronic bands Filter and Nine Inch Nails. The industrial style typically consists of fluorescent colours fused with silver, black and white. Synthetic materials and survival accessories such as rubber masks are commonly used.

High Fashion

Contrary to popular belief, Gothic styles are regularly featured on the catwalk. World renowned fashion designers, Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior and Yohji Yamamoto have all used Gothic inspired designs in their collections.

 Lolita

Gothic lolita fashion is characterized by the baby-doll look. This style first appeared in 80's Japan, and even to this day is a very popular fashion choice in the country. Imagine a vampire or zombie trapped inside a child's body and you'll begin to understand the look. Gothic lolita often consists of frilled skirts, headdresses and platform shoes. Japanese fashion designer and Malice Mizer guitarist, Mana is often considered a pioneer of this fashion movement.

 Gothabilly

Like rockabilly, gothabilly is inspired by 1950's country music. It's the fusion of rock and roll with the characteristics of old-school Spaghetti Westerns. Cowboy hats, boots and tight fitting leather are common in gothabilly style. Most men have long hair, wear eye-liner and have Western inspired tattoos. Gothabilly also has a more colourful side and often incorporates animal prints and polka dot clothing.

Neo-Victorian

The Neo-Victorian movement, also known as steampunk, is one of the most recent fashion movements to take influences from Gothic clothing. It is inspired by both the Victorian and Edwardian eras, but integrates the use of modern technology. Corsets, gowns, petticoats, suits and vests are typical of the style. Common accessories include period time pieces and goggles mixed with modern electronics, such as mobile phones and tablets.

Goth Punk

Modern Goth music was born in the 70's by bands such as Joy Division. At the same time the punk genre was in full swing. Goths borrowed many aspects of the punk look, such as mohawks, big hair, band t-shirts and studded chokers, and gave it a darker undertones.

 Start exploring other Gothic subcultures and create your own unique “look.” At Soho's we have a vast collection of gothic clothing in stock suitable for any Gothic style.

 

The Steampunk Style Guide

During the past few years interest in steampunk fashion has significantly increased. Although there are no specific rules when it comes to style, learning about the characteristics of this form of alternative fashion will help you feel more comfortable in your new attire. These tips are designed to give you a better idea of how to build your new wardrobe.

Consult History

Steampunk style is fundamentally stolen from different eras of history, most notably the Victorian and Edwardian periods. If you're ever in doubt, simply dress in either of these styles – the more “old-world” you look the better.

Entertain Yourself

Wearing alternative clothing is built around one concept – entertainment. It is all about transforming yourself to another time and place. It's a form of role play used to engage your senses. Enjoy every moment of your new persona. If you're stressing out about your “look” too much, then something is seriously wrong.

Everything is Objective

Remember, everything in alternative fashion is objective, there's no right or wrong. You don't have to wear goggles or carry around a ray gun just because they are staple symbols of steampunk culture. If they don't work with your outfit, simply get rid of them.

There's No Steampunk Colour

Don't place too much emphasis on colour. While steampunk fashion often uses brown, black and white, these are by no means the “right” colour. Steampunk is an alternative representation of history fused with modern technology. While bright vibrant colours are uncommon in this fashion, don't faze them out completely.

Accessorize

One of the most unique and beautiful features of the steampunk image is the fusion of modern technology with the Victorian and Edwardian image. Machinery plays a big part in steampunk film and literature, so welcome technology with open arms.

Expand and Explore

Feel free to fuse steampunk with other styles of alternative clothing. The steampunk community is a congregation of creative people with a unique sense of style. Don't shy away from other genres you enjoy purely because they don't fit the mould. People will understand and appreciate what you're trying to achieve.

Engage With the Community

The popularity of this culture is rapidly increasing. Virtually every city in the world has a community who meet up, dress up, and live the life of their alternative persona. Socialise with these people and ask them for tips and advice on how to piece together your first outfit.

Ignore the Rules!

The steampunk community would have never evolved in the first place if people stuck to “normal” fashion conventions. Always stick to your guns; don't feel like you have to follow everyone else; and most importantly, never ask yourself “am I steampunk enough?”

Start building your steampunk wardrobe and living the life you've always dreamed of!  At Soho's we have a vast array of alternative clothing suitable for any punk style.