How to Make a Shirt Look Punk
Punk rock is synonymous with an anti-establishment attitude. When the punk scene began in the 1970s, revelers donned old clothing and wore their hair in unkempt styles, a far cry from the later generations of punks. Over time, the punk fashion evolved into almost pure exhibition -- clothing needed to be clearly self-modified in a dirty manner with slogans, odd designs, tears and safety pins. To "punk-out" a T-shirt is to basically destroy it, and then wear it with pride.
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Instructions
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Destruction and Design
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Select a shirt for modification. Punk band shirts are appropriate for this, but the style or design really doesn't matter as you will tear and mark up the shirt with your own designs.
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Cut holes and slits into your shirt wherever you desire. Close some of the longer slits with a large number of safety pins. Some holes can be closed with a sloppy cross-stitch -- do not let your stitching look good. Tear holes below the armpits or remove the sleeves.
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Color punk band names and pictures on your shirt with assorted permanent markers. Be sure to draw the names of bands that you actually like. Stencils and spray paint can be used if desired.
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Draw images on your shirt. Pictures of skulls are appropriate, as are symbols synonymous with teenage rebellion, such as the hammer and sickle or almost any flag turned upside down.
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Write anarchistic slogans and famous leftist quotes on your shirts using permanent markers. Doug Gwyn, H.L. Mencken and Hunter S. Thompson have written much quotable subversive literature that can be used for this purpose. Lyrics from punk songs look good on shirts as well. Consider using quotes from Black Flag or The Exploited.
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References
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