How to Dress Rockabilly Style: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

Rockabilly began as a genre of music in the 1950s, combining country/hillbilly music with rock. Several different styles exist in this music, such as Greaser, Swinger, /i>, and Western styles. Whether you want to appreciate rockabilly music and culture or are just experimenting with a new look for the weekend, you'll find everything there is to learn here.

Step

Rockabilly Style for Men

1. Prepare the things that are important to fill the wardrobe. You don't need a lot of strands or money to dress like a rockabilly fan. This look resembles the working class in the US, with a bit of a swinger-chic feel.

   

   • Go with Dickies style. If there is a brand that is synonymous with rockabilly, it is Dickies. These workwear products offer basic pieces that represent the rockabilly aesthetic. The classic rockabilly pants are a pair of Dickies Original 874 work pants.
   • Prepare the denim. One option is slim-cut (not skinny) dark jeans. Make sure you buy one that is a few inches longer than necessary so you can roll it up.
   • Get some T-shirts ready. You can never go wrong with a light white T-shirt that is rolled up and tucked into your pants; this style is the standard greaser-style look in rockabilly. Choose work t-shirts and Western-style t-shirts to vary the contents of your wardrobe a little.

2. Show up in a suit. For more formal occasions, opt for a fitted suit to keep you rockabilly classy. Make sure your coat has a light collar, two or more buttons, and a higher waistline. The sharkskin suit, with its shine is a good eye-catcher, but it can be expensive. Look for suits at vintage and flea shops to buy them cheaper; if the suit is in good condition, fits well or is easy to adjust, buy it. Western suits can also add variety to your style – find them online and in specialty stores.

   

3. Decorate yourself with a jacket. There are many jackets that can enhance an authentic rockabilly look. All of them will convey a slightly different message, so take your time and decide which one is right for you.

   

   • Letter jacket. Remember when Danny gave Sandy his letter jacket in "Grease?". Go rockabilly style by choosing a letter jacket. These jackets are easy to find at flea markets as well as vintage and thrift stores. This jacket will give the impression that you are a cool kid who is popular on campus.
   • Motorcycle jacket. A leather motorcycle jacket is another undeniable classic for the greaser style. Buy brand new from a thrift store to get a used but sturdy and slightly worn model.

4. Try a tweed jacket. Create a casual atmosphere with this jacket. Look for jackets with knitted coats, collars, and waistbands, at reasonable prices at vintage and thrift stores.

   

   • Shop jacket. Wear a shop jacket to give the impression that you are a worker. Classic color choices are navy, black, gray, and olive green, but you don't have to go with that. If you really want to look classic and cool, look for a named jacket or add your own name.
   • Western jacket. This jacket adds a bit of an ornamental feel to your look. This jacket is usually fitted to the body, with a rather large waist, and cowboy-style sewing decorations.

5. Enhance your look with shoes and accessories. These two things can really beautify your appearance and strengthen your style direction.

   

   • Put on bots. Used work boots or motorcycle boots are a great choice for this. If you want a more swinger style, choose a pair of small wings, or oxford-type shoes. When you're feeling brave, pick a pair of creepers. These heeled and heeled shoes are considered something "clunky" (big) and "cinder block chic" (feminine). These shoes come from punk culture, but are also spot on in rockabilly style, especially those with plaid, polka-dot, or flame-toned patterns. You can easily find them because these shoes were popular in 2013.
   • Wear accessories to match the style. Add a light tie with a pin to the suit, and consider a pair of cufflinks (choose dice, pole, or playing cards). Buddy Holly-style glasses (buy normal lenses if your vision is not at all impaired) can give you a cool look. Plus, nothing enhances the appearance of a white T-shirt better than tucking a cigarette in the roll of your sleeve.

6. Get your hair done properly. The most popular men's hairstyle of the 1950s-the pumpadour-is the rockabilly look of today's men. When this style first became popular, men used creams to style their hair and give it a wet look, so they were called "Greasers".

   

   • Use the pompadour. GQ describes the pompadour as "trimmed at the sides and back, long enough to be slicked back and forth, and the whole hairstyle looks like a big strong look!".

     • To set up the pompadour style, make sure your hair is cut properly short at the sides and back, with the ends starting to shorten at the back, and getting longer as the hair moves forward.
     • Apply pomade or wax on your hands to warm it up and work it all over the sides and back of your hair. Comb the sides of the hair back and the back of the head to keep it straight down; keep the hair as close to the scalp as possible.
     • Heat the wax and apply it again to the top of the hair. Create the sides by combing this section diagonally, starting from the back to the front of the head. Flip the front and back back so that the hair is a bit taller.

   Rockabilly Style for Women

   1. Prepare the things that are important to fill the wardrobe. Rockabilly girls always find a way to look sexy but still cute, by combining some feminine elements and things that look like they were taken from her boyfriend's wardrobe.

      

      • Show some body parts. Wear a classic halter top or dress (not a tank-top or one with spaghetti straps) that can be tied around the neck or has thick straps and a cute neckline, or just falls on the chest. You can look for vintage versions at thrift stores or new ones made in cherry, tropical, or even skull print fabrics. Both are great ways to show off and neutralize the look of tattooed skin.
      • Wear clothes with a high waist. High-waisted pencil skirts and ankle-length pants have a retro, rockabilly feel, especially when paired with a men's t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up and tied at the front.
      • Be cheerful. Use a skirt with a bit of a "swing" feel for your rockabilly look to be very versatile. A rockabilly wrap dress is a must for dancing – this skirt will move with every step, sway, and twist. To attract the attention of rockabilly men, choose a sweetheart dress, which is a long skirt that fits the body with a small waist, and slightly rounded sleeves to below the elbow. A little warning: stay away from the poodle skirt. You'll look as if you're wearing a costume instead of showing a certain style.

   2. Amp up your look with shoes and accessories. Stick to style but add your personal feel with shoe looks and accessories. The things you need should be timeless, so you can find them easily and have lots of options.

      

   3. Polish your style. Wear flats or high heels in shiny black/red by Mary Jane. For a more casual and relaxed look, opt for sandals or saddle shoes, either with or without socks, or a pair of Converse All Stars.

      

   4. Choose products to add the finishing touch. Consider tattoo-inspired necklaces, leopard-patterned shirts or small jagged purses, headbands, and classic earrings. To amplify the sexy but sweet vibe, add flowers to the hair; Choose large, striking flowers or red roses that match the color of the outfit.

      

   5. Get your hair done properly. If you opt for the classic rockabilly hairstyle, you have two options-keep it up or modernize it a bit by going with the style, but making things looser and using lighter styling products.

      

      • Try the pompadour version for women. Although this hairstyle is most often associated with men, don't forget that the name comes from a woman (Madame de Pompadour). If you have long hair, pull it up into a high ponytail, then wrap it around the curling iron for 30 seconds or so to create a spiral. Then, comb the bangs back and pin the ends of the hair near them to create a pompadour. You can also make it in front and add a large flower beret to enhance the look. If you have short hair, style it as in the men's pompadour (see instructions in previous sections) or create a curly look like Rizzo in "Grease".
      • Take advantage of the '40s hairstyles. This hairstyle is more often featured by rockabilly fans than 1950s hairstyles. Betty Page and her signature wave of hair can be seen at almost every rockabilly event and concert.

   6. Use makeup as a finishing touch. The rockabilly look includes a unique make-up style, so use it right to make your look authentic.

      

   7. Create a clean canvas. Use a liquid or cream foundation to even out the contours of your face and finish with a light powder. Use a little blush on both cheekbones instead of the fleshy areas.

      

      • Make cat eye makeup. This makeup is what defines a rockabillty girl's appearance. The process of making it may be difficult at first-there are a few steps-but you'll get used to it quickly and quickly with practice. Or, you can skip some steps to make modifications.

        • Gently pull the eyelids and outline the inner edges using a dark black waterproof pencil. Then, outline the inner edges of the lower and upper lash lines. Smooth out the color in the eyelashes with an angled brush.
        • Make four evenly spaced strips with a black liner pen. Do this on the top line of the lashes. Then, connect everything.
        • Close your eyes and use your fingers to feel the top crease outward. When you reach the bony part of the eye, mark the point with liquid liner. Touch the tip at that point and pull it towards the outer corner of the eye while thickening the existing line. This way, your cat's eyes will get a "winged" look.
        • After the liner dries, apply a cream-colored liquid eye shadow. Use the metallic version in the area just above the crease line as well as the inner corner. This metallic eye shadow will renew the look, and the liquid formula is usually heat resistant.
        • Finish with two coats of black mascara or a pair of false lashes.
      • Be the red lady. Color the lips with red lipstick. To keep your look from looking old-fashioned, use lipstick only to strengthen the "cupid's bow" and center of the lower lip. Use a bright red lipstick with a touch of blue (cool) and dull (matte) shimmer.

      Tips

      • Shop at thrift and flea stores, bazaar events, and vintage auctions. These places are the best places to find rockabilly fashion items.
      • Talk to someone old enough to remember when rockabilly was popular. Search the library for books about the era and browse rockabilly websites. Try to learn the general principles. Also pay attention to the way clothes are worn and hair is arranged.
      • Some style references for men include: Elvis Presley, James Dean, Chris Isaak, Lyle Lovett, Stray Cats, etc.

      • Learn rockabilly slang. Here are some suggestions – and what they mean:

        • Cat-someone cool.
        • Ginchiest-the coolest.
        • Long Green--money.
        • Dolly-cute girl.
        • Radioactive-cool.
        • Threads-clothes.
        • Peepers-glasses.
      • Go to music shows and see what rockabilly lovers are wearing. Then, visit a clothing store that provides the right choice.
      • Some style references for women include: Rosie the Riveter, Rizzo and Cha Cha DiGregorio in "Grease," Heather Graham in "Swingers," Kat von D., Gwen Stefani, Amy Winehouse, etc.
      • You can find vintage and handmade hair accessories from sites like Etsy, which has stores like Bustling Blossoms, which sell flower headbands, hair clips, and accessories with other unique items.
      • Listen to rock music (rockabilly). Hear works by Buddy Holly, Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Gene Vincent, Charlie Feathers and Jumpin' Gene Simmons.
      1. https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323869604578370892904565484.html
      2. https://www.gq.com/style/wear-it-now/201001/pompadours-style-trends
      3. https://coolmenshair.com/2011/08/how-to-style-a-pompadour-hair.html#ixzz2SeNEGivY
      4. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/hairstyles-beauty/skin-care-makeup/how-to-get-cat-eyes?click=main_sr#slide-1