The Beatles - Punk Fashion at Its Best

The continued influence of the Beatles on popularThe longevity of punk fashion is a surprising
culture is a phenomenon that has essentially beenphenomenon in that it so sharply contrasts with
unmatched in terms of the scope of their impact.the fashion styles demonstrated in broader
Clearly, there have been figures in the musicsociety or even in the pop culture industry. This
industry like Elvis Presley, Madonna and othersextreme contrast however may explain why
who have imprinted an identifiable mark on poppunk fashion has managed to sustain itself since
culture. The Beatle’s however have set aits emergence in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
precedent in demonstrating the broadest impactPunk fashion is an example of taking the concept
on the culture industry by their influence onof individuality to the extreme however it is
fashion, film, the concepts of popular art andclearly no less valid than the expressions of
music and even religious philosophy.individuality, tastes and interests that have been
From the start, the Beatle’s influenced fashionadvanced by other pop culture figures and their
for both men and for women in ways that fewfollowers.
other pop culture figures had before them. ForWhere punk fashion diverges however, is in the
American society, that influence was enhanced byfact that it has not been adopted by American
the fact that the Beatle’s fashion style wasculture as broadly as other fashion styles have
uniquely different and essentially broke the fashionbeen. Although punk fashion styles have changed
rules that had existed prior to their introduction tothroughout the last two decades, the foundation
American audiences. Most obvious were theof the classic punk fashion is still maintained in the
hairstyles and clothing that the Beatle’s wore,basic elements of excessive piercings, heavy
fashion statements that were in sharp contrast toboots, tight leather or denim pants topped by a
the more conservative styles that had been worntattered and often graffitied tee shirt and,
by the pop culture figures that preceded them,perhaps most recognizable, the extreme hairstyle.
including Elvis Presley.The fact that punk fashion has not been broadly
Almost three decades after the Beatle’sadopted by society might be explained by the
explosive coming out from their humble beginningsfact that it is goes so far against fashion norms.
in Liverpool, the Beatle’s influence continues toThat punk fashion has not been broadly adopted
manifest itself. Their influence on the popularby society might also be explained by the fact
music industry, for example, is marked by thethat it is difficult to separate punk fashion from
way that music artists take greater control inthe punk music style, a style that is, like punk
creating their own music style as well as in thefashion, clearly anti-establishment and radically
way that they present their music, incorporatingagainst the norm. This however, is what makes
innovative methods of production, instrumentationpunk fashion unique as well as inviting to those
and delivery that, as for the Beatle’s, mightindividuals who do not want adopt a more popular
make them the next pop culture icon. In terms ofor “acceptable” fashion or music style and,
fashion, the concept of going against fashionperhaps more importantly, are against or do not
norms as a means of representing one’swant to be confined the social norms that have
individuality and tastes that was influenced by theotherwise created a largely homogenous,
Beatles continues to be manifested. All one has touninteresting and culturally restrained society.
do is watch the latest music videos or film andAlthough punk fashion has found only a small niche
music award shows to see how that influencein American culture, the minority segment of
continues in the wide range of fashion styles thatsociety that has and continues to adopt its
have evolved.elements are obviously aware that it makes the
The Beatle’s ground-breaking attributes havevivid and recognizable statement that it will not be
made it acceptable for pop culture figures as wellforced to conform to social norms; a declaration
as the average individual to go against the norm,that it is fair to suggest has existed since the
to bring their own styles, tastes and interest tofoundation of American society and will forever
the industry and to society and, for the popbe evidenced in cultural elements like punk fashion.
culture figure specifically, to strive to affect theirArticle submitted by Riley Musbach, senior writer
own influence on the culture industry not only toat Paper Masters. Riley has been a writer and
their own advantage but also to the advantage ofcontributing editor at Paper Masters for over 6
the consumers of pop culture.years and has a wide range of author experience.