Rockabilly

The Rockabilly culture derived from rock & roll and hillbilly. Rock and roll began from hard driving African American dance music of the 40s while hillbilly was a reference to European two step rhythms. This was popular in white eastern mountain communities. Black and white styles began to mingle. 

'Rockabilly coincided with the emergence of a generational divide within white America, a rising sense that young people did not all aspire to replicate the lives of their parents. In the era of overt segregation, the clear mixing of black and white musical influences was in itself an act of rebellion. Rockabilly expressed passion, toughness, and the risk and thrill of living in the moment.'

 

 In 1954, a new star took to the stage, Elvis Presley who was known as the Rockabilly cat. He was one of the first people that brought the new sounds of bluesy jazz and hill billy together. He spontaneously broke into a version of ‘That’s All Right, Mama’ during a recording session supervised by Sun Records owner Sam Phillips. This was inspired by one of his idols, black singer Arthur Big Boy Crudup. Phillip found what he was looking for, a white singer who sounded black. Elvis inspired many musicians at the time like Carl Perkins, Johnny Brunnette trio, Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran. Elvis at the time was going against the social norm between black and whites and with this he made a change in society. He enabled black and white music to mix and  communities also began to mix and by 1956 rockabilly was a national phenomenon.

  The Rockabilly fashions for women consisted of the pin up hair styles, the most popular hair style is a pompadour with ponytail. Men would have the close cropped on the sides and pompadoured up top with plenty of pomade. For the rockabilly women, the make up was essential and very distinctive. The skin would usually be pale, with a base layer of foundation and thick liquid eye liner on the top lid to create the cat eye look. The look would be finished off with some bright red lip stick.

 

 

The clothes for women were based around the 50s style swing dresses, halter dresses with sweet heart necklines, bust ruching and fitted waists. They would also wear high waisted pencil skirts in either black or red and thin, flowy cardigan sweaters. the skirts would be fully gathered maxis in floral print or bright solid colours, high waisted ankle length pants, paired with men's striped dress shirts. The women would roll up the sleeves and tie a knot in the front. 

 

 

Rockabilly men would go for the slim cut dark jeans, thin white t-shirts, worn with boots and a tough leather jacket. This was a classic rockabilly template. They would wear flannel bowling and western shirts with dungarees and slim fit suits. The shoes were either creepers, wings tips or oxfords.
 Women's shoes consisted of retro flats, saddle shoes, converse all stars and boots. They would choose fun patterns like polka dots or bight red and black shiny shoes. Some may want to wear bobby socks.
Accessorize for women included tattoos inspired necklines, leopard print or hound tooth purses, headbands, hair nets and small classic earrings. Some would add a flower in their hair to match the outfit.
Many rockabilly men would own motorcycles or hot rods.