The Punk subculture emerged in the UK around the mid-seventies with the rise of bands such as The Buzzcocks and the Sex Pistols. Punks were noted for their rebellious behaviour and ‘I-don’t-give-a-damn’ attitudes, which was reflected in their distinctive style; tartan, leather, studs and spikes were a common fixture. Punk fashion has made a welcome return for this Autumn/Winter, combining the classic punk prints in skater dresses and skirts – reviving the 70’s style with a girly twist.
To embrace this moodier side of fashion this season, you should invest in a tartan shirt as a staple piece. They are a brilliant fashion staple as they can be worn buttoned up or open over a black vest to look more casual. Superdry has a broad selection of the traditional tartan shirt if you don’t mind parting with a sweet £45, but most other high street chains do them – New Look retails shirts from £17.99, and you can grab a real bargain on eBay, which usually have a variety of cheap shirts on auction. If you’re really daring, you could try this checked shirt cape from Missguided – a great overlay over a black crop top and a mini skirt.
Tartan prints are no longer limited to shirts – leggings, trousers, dresses, and skirts have also adopted the checked pattern. This long panelled pencil skirt from Asos (a steal at £10.50, btw) is perfect for paying homage to the current punk trend without being too in your face – team it with this pussy-bow blouse and some court shoes for an outfit smart yet chic.
Asymmetric skirts, another big trend this season, also come in tartan varieties, such as this tartan skort from Missguided. This collared shift tartan dress from Missguided is another nice alternative for those who are more girly, though if you want to give it an edge try pairing it with a pair of biker boots, like this vintage pair on eBay for £17.99.
Tartan leggings and trousers are harder to carry off as there is the danger of them making your legs appear wider than they really are. Darker tartan patterns can allow us to avoid this dilemma, such as this pair from Missguided, but if you want to stick to the traditional red checks, River Island retails this pair for only £15.
Leather is crucial to embellish any punk look. This can be in the form of a leather jacket – this New Look jacket is a bargain at £60, considering it’s real leather. Leather skirts are fairly common nowadays too, and can be worn tight like this H&M one or in a flattering skater skirt style from Topshop, giving a rock and roll edge.
Of course, if you find the Punk style a little too hardcore for your liking, you can soften it by combining it with other popular patterns and textures this season. A leather jacket can be worn over a velvet dress, such as this one from Miss Selfridge, to imitate a softer, more romantic look. These velvet leggings from Missguided also embrace alternative style, with the gaps of bare skin adding a hint of rebellious glamour.
So whether you’re a rock and roll rebel or you prefer a more girly spin on things, punk style is back with a bang this season, so make sure to invest in some of these staple pieces!