Teddy Boy (youth culture)

The Teddy boy youth culture first emerged in Britain (particularly the south of England) during the early 1950s, and was strongly associated with American rock and roll music of the period.

Related Topics:
Youth culture - Britain - 1950s - American - Rock and roll

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It was typified by young men wearing clothes inspired by those of the Edwardian period which Savile Row tailors had tried to re-introduce after World War II: "Edward" being shortened to Ted after a Daily Express headline in 1953 first coined the term 'Teddy boy', which stuck.

Related Topics:
Edwardian period - Savile Row - Daily Express - 1953

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Clothing consisted of long drape jackets, usually in dark shades sometimes with velvet trim, high waisted 'drainpipe' trousers, chunky brogues and later large crepe-soled shoes, often suede (sometimes nicknamed 'brothel creepers'). A high-necked loose 'Mr B' collar on a white shirt (as worn by jazz musician Billy Eckstine) was set off with a narrow 'Slim Jim' tie and floral brocade waistcoat. In the main these clothes were tailor made at great expense through many weekly installments. Preferred hairstyles included long, strongly moulded greased-up hair with a quiff combed back to form a 'DA' (duck's arse) at the rear of the head.

Related Topics:
Billy Eckstine - Duck's arse

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'Teddy girls' adopted a style similar to the lads', with drapes complete with pencil skirts, but also adopted the American fashions of toreador pants and voluminous circle skirts, wearing their hair in ponytails.

Related Topics:
Pencil skirt - Ponytail

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As with some other youth culture movements, groups of 'Teds' sometimes formed gangs and enjoyed notoriety following violent clashes with rival gangs, seized upon and often exaggerated by the popular press. The most notable was the infamous Notting Hill riot of 1958, in which Teddy boys were conspicuous within the racist white mobs who roamed the area attacking black people and their property http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/nottinghillcarnival2002/story/0,12331,780023,00.html. As with most other youth cults, however, most were attracted by the clothes and music rather than violence.

Related Topics:
Notting Hill - 1958

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In the 1960s, many Teddy boys became 'Rockers'. Conversely, many Rockers passed themselves off as Teddy boys by throwing on a drape coat to gain entry into a dance hall where leather jackets were banned. During the 1970s, rockabilly music enjoyed a renewed period of popularity and saw a resurgence of interest in 'Teddy boy' fashions spearheaded by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, but often in much louder pastel colours. Paradoxically, in the late 1970s the new generation of Teds became the arch-enemies of the Westwood- and McLaren-inspired punk rockers.

Related Topics:
1960s - Rockers - 1970s - Rockabilly - Vivienne Westwood - Malcolm McLaren - Punk rock

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