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.

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.