Street Style in America: An Exploration

by Jennifer Grayer Moore

Overview

A comprehensive resource that will prove invaluable to fashion historians, this book presents a detailed exploration of the breadth of visually arresting, consumer-driven styles that have emerged in America since the 20th century.

What are the origins of highly specific denim fashions, such as bell bottoms, skinny jeans, and ripped jeans? How do mass media and popular culture influence today's street fashion? When did American fashion sensibilities shift from conformity as an ideal to youth-oriented standards where clothing could boldly express independence and self-expression? Street Style in America: An Exploration addresses questions like these and many others related to the historical and sociocultural context of street style, supplying both A–Z entries that document specific American street styles and illustrations with accompanying commentary.

This book provides a detailed analysis of American street and subcultural styles, from the earliest example reaching back to the early 20th century to contemporary times. It reviews all aspects of dress that were part of a look, considering variations over time and connecting these innovations to fashionable dress practices that emerged in the wakes of these sartorial rebellions. The text presents detailed examinations of specific dress styles and also interrogates the manifold meanings of dress practices that break from the mainstream. This book is a comprehensive resource that will prove invaluable to fashion historians and provide fascinating reading for students and general audiences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440844614
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/18/2017
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.88(d)

About the Author

Jennifer Grayer Moore, PhD, is a design historian who specializes in the history of fashion.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Acknowledgments ix

How to Use This Work xi

Part I Exploring the Historical Context for the Development of Street Style 1

Chapter 1 Introduction 3

Chapter 2 The Sociocultural Context for the Development of Street Style 11

Chapter 3 The Flourishing of American Street Style: The Clothing Industry, Mass Media, and Its Consumers. 1930 to the Age of the Internet 24

Chapter 4 Street Stylin': Personal Style, Self-Expression, and the Importance and Impact of Street Style Photography on the Fashion Industry 39

Part II A-Z Listing of American Street Styles 53

Introduction to the Entries 55

American Street Gangs 56

B-boy and B-girl 63

Beat Generation 69

Black Panther Party 75

Bobby Soxer 80

Bodybuilder 85

Burning Man 91

Cholo 97

Coachella 103

Cosplay 109

Dead Head 115

Emo 120

Gay Pride 125

Goth 133

Greaser 138

Grunge 143

Heavy Metal Rocker 148

Hip-Hop 156

Hippie 169

Hipster 175

Leathermen 181

Modern Primitive 187

Motorcyclist 193

New Wave 199

Punk 205

Rastafarianism 211

Raver 217

Rockabilly 223

Skateboarding 228

Skinhead 234

Snowboarding 241

Steampunk 247

Surfing 253

Zoot Suit 259

Part III Gallery of American Street Style 267

Conclusion 337

Bibliography 343

Index 369

Editorial Reviews

An important, thoroughly researched work that is recommended for large collections where material on contemporary fashion is needed.” —ARBAonline

“Moore, an art historian and independent scholar, has done a good job of situating theoretical, sociological, cultural, and historical concepts with the documentary evidence. . . . Thoroughly researched, the book documents and explores major North American street styles, from the first A–Z entry on "American Street Gangs" to "Goth," "Greaser," "Grunge, and "Steampunk" to "Zoot Suit." Summing Up: Recommended. High school through lower-level undergraduate students; general readers.” —Choice

From the Publisher