1970s Rock Fashion

The evolution of music has introduced many prominent and influential bands and artists, especially during the 1970s. The new iterations of the rock genre introduced their own musical styles, subcultures and unique fashion statements.

Glam Rock

Glam rock began in the early 1970s and celebrated flamboyance and androgyny. Platform shoes, glitter, brightly-colored makeup were popular; the more extravagant the performers, the greater their fan bases. The extravagant costumes would often be accompanied by extravagant stage shows. Artists like David Bowie, Elton John, and Queen were known for this sort of extravagance.

Punk Rock

The Mohawk is an accepted punk hair style.

Popular from 1974 to 1976, punk rock was a style built around protesting social norms. An unkempt image was a must: dirty jeans, sweaty T-shirts and leather jackets were the norm. Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols is credited for starting the ripped T-shirt trend. Eventually, more counterculture fashions like tattoos and piercing were accepted. The Sex Pistols, The Clash and the Ramones are known for this style.

Metal

Basic rock fashion: no frills, just intensity.

The metal movement grew from glam rock's decline. Fashion for this genre was split: some metal bands dressed in blue jeans, black shirts and black leather, while other bands used gaudy clothing, animal prints and jewelry. The "Hair Metal" subgenre relied on extreme hair styles, bigger always being better. Twisted Sister and KISS are typical of this style.

References

• Encarta: Glam Rock
• "The End of the World as We Know It: Faith, Fatalism, and Apocalypse in America"; Daniel Wojcik; 1997.
• FeralHouse: American Hair Metal