The Rockabilly Look Pt. 2

Here are some random photos I found of ALL types of girls that probably consider themselves part of the Rockabilly scene. Disclaimer: I'm an honest person, if you don't like it..IT'S JUST FUCKING FASHION!!!
Like I'd said previously, the Rockabilly scene and the Psychobilly scene have started to mesh together. The look isn't so much separate anymore. Here you can see these girls have a mixture of the Rockabilly clothing and hairstyles, with the punk rock use of bright hair color. I don't have a problem with the way these girls chose to dress, with the exception of the little one with the crazy blue bow on her head. WTF??? I wouldn't call these girls "fashion do's", but they're working with what they have. I would tell girl #1 that the full red bangs aren't working for her.

Here we see the retro hair style with Punk color...I like. Modern clothes, without even a retro feel, but considered okay by some due to the leopard print on the top. Personally I think that's too easy, but I guess since the scene appears to be watering down, it's accepted.

Very cute casual look. Retro with the bandanna in her hair and the 50s style leather jacket. Back in the 40s/50s women were NEVER seen outside of the house with a bandanna on their head. That was something worn only for a few reasons: keeping your hair up when in the bath, keeping your hair back when doing house cleaning, or during the War when women were working in factories. As a look for Rockabilly gals, I think it's cute for a casual day.

There are so many things wrong with this picture and yet so many appropriate to the scene. The divided hair color is very Psychobilly (or, what some refer to as, Gothabilly. Psychobilly kids with a dark/horror movie influence.) Again the bandanna is casual, the top and leopard print sweater look a little more dressy to me. I personally would never mix the two, but some girls don't have the same fashion discretion. Her makeup is appropriate, although those eyebrows are killing me!!! Despite the Rockabilly face should always have a strong sharp brow, this is way overboard. This is much more of a "chola" brow, so don't even think of trying it on yourself.

Here is a true Rockabilly girl. Her makeup, hair, clothing and jewelry are perfect! She's wearing a summery Hawaiian dress and her accessories are appropriate to the season. Her tattoos are kinda ugly, but whatever.

Where do I start? They have the basics down, but today hot pink is very popular, but not in the Rockabilly scene...these girls brought it in and I think it looks lame. Granted there are no rules and guidelines, this is just my personal opinion. Once again the two-toned hair is Psychobilly/Gothabilly, but its all okay. I won't mention the blonde's flip-flops, I'm sure she was initially wearing heels and is just taking a break.

Three totally different versions of what the scene fashion should be. The blonde is taking on the bombshell look, but that hideous sweater under the waist cinch is so wrong! If she took it off, she would look great. The gal in the middle looks perfect! I can't say anything is wrong there. 5 stars! The dark haired girl is obviously in an extremely casual look. Perfect example of when a flower is inappropriately worn in the hair. She's in completely modern clothes (note the leopard print tank), and they totally don't work. the layered tanks, the baggy pants. Go home and start over!

I would just like to say that, I KNOW this scene has its own look and doesn't require one to be era proper, but pleeeease do it some justice!!! Women in the 40s/50s had very little and worked very hard and they ALWAYS managed to pull themselves together to the "T". You never saw them out looking disheveled or half-assed. Even if their dress was old, it was pressed and well kept. Every woman looked like the most well dressed woman you'll see today. Women today have become so lax about clothing and their own personal image, which is their choice, but if you are going to be apart of a scene that honors a fashionably perfect historical era, represent it to the fullest! Okay, next photo...

These girls are cute. It's obvious that they like the scene and maybe even the clothing, but the feel is very vague. They aren't overdone. You get a hint of who they are by the bangs, the cuffed jeans, the pencil skirt and cardigan. Very mellow, and just okay. 2 stars.

These gals are out to be noticed! Woo Hoo! I personal have NOTHING against a curvy girl (I am one myself), but I do know what one should wear and what one shouldn't. Although their modern clothing has a retro feel and is cute, I think they should have covered up some more. I think they deserve 3.5 stars. I like the hair, the shoes are okay, the outfits are pretty good...so yeah. And they remembered the staple leopard print.

Definite retro gals! This pic was taken from a Viva Las Vegas site, but I feel that they threw this together just for the weekend, I can't help getting a vibe that it's not really them. They all look great despite my pet peeve of the flower clips, although it works for the gal with the black hat. The girl in the black swimming suit should have had less dressy shoes, something more of an espadrille or sandal, and hand over the bracelets to the girl in the middle.

I'm seeing young girls on the scene with the young retro fashion look. Everything was found at discount stores, but they put it together well. The hair isn't so much retro as it is "Rockabilly" (curls & pomp). The second girls makeup isn't retro at all, but maybe that's what she was going for, it looks good anyway. I like her top and the high waist shorts, but not together. They're beginners and for that they get 3.5 stars.

Ooooh hell!!! Okay to be honest, the look is okay, she's pulled it together with the EXCEPTION of that nasty perm and the fact that her dress is way to small for her. Girls, if a dress has stretch to it...please continue to buy your size!!! The designers have considered the stretch in the design and sizing, so you don't have to. Anyway...I don't know what the front looks like, the victory rolls on top look okay and she is wearing a flower with a dressy look, so that's good. 2.5 stars.

Here we are again with the young girls that shop at Charlotte Russe. Some have the silhouettes/colors/patterns correct, but then there are a few that are just a wreck. Again with the all red bangs...not a go! They're young, and are just trying to emulate the pin-ups they have seen on MySpace. Some will learn, some won't.

...ALL will end up looking like this. Good Luck Ladies!!!!

The Rockabilly Look

I'm starting this post and referring to it as "The Rockabilly Look ", because I will be covering what most people would consider fashion from that scene. Being a vintage clothing lover my entire life, I want to break it down to what I believe are proper looks. Keep in mind my disclaimer, I do not consider myself "rockabilly", but frequent the scene as more 'rock' than 'billy'.

Lets start by explaining what "Rockabilly" is (according to Wikipedia. For more info go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockabilly): Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, and emerged in the early 1950s. The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock (from rock 'n' roll) and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music (often called hillbilly music in the 1940s and 1950s) that contributed strongly to the style's development. Other important influences on rockabilly include western swing, boogie woogie, and rhythm and blues. While there are notable exceptions, its origins lie primarily in the Southern United States. The influence and popularity of the style waned in the 1960s, but during the late 1970s and early 1980s, rockabilly enjoyed a major revival of popularity that has endured to the present, often within a rockabilly subculture.


When you see someone from this scene, you can see the mixture of looks from the 1940s and 1950s rock and country scene. The Rockabilly scene has always been a mishmash of all of this, and at times frustrates me because I'm such a "era perfectionist". You will see people who have the true look and then you will run across a gal that has it all completely wrong...I will cover that later.


Lets take a look at some of the "retro gals"...


These gals have a solid "retro/vintage" look (aside from some of their hair color & tattoos). They have vintage from head to toe. I don't see anything that is a modern piece. Some of what they have may be reproductions, being that finding real vintage that fits over a size 4 is rare! Reproductions are fine, as long as the era and fabrics are appropriate. These gals get 5 stars for their efforts.

You saw this gal in the last photo. Still 100% retro/vintage. I love that despite the trends now days, she hasn't given into a leopard print Lucky 13 handbag or Bordello platforms. What stands out the most is that she isn't wearing a flower in her hair. So many girls think that's acceptable in a retro look at ANY time. If you reference old movies and photos, women wore them as an accessory when they went out and dressed up. Not with pants and sandals.

These vintage swimming suits are fantastic! To find one that fits properly takes a serious vintage enthusiast. I'm sure these girls could tell you exactly where every vintage shop is in L.A. and when the best times to hit the Rose Bowl Flea Market and the Vintage Clothing Expo. Kudos!

These may be reproductions, but none-the-less they are appropriate and they look great. I especially like that despite one of them, they haven't gone all out with the tattoos. I do love tattoos, but not having them makes the look appear so much more proper. These gals came prepared from head to toe for the entire weekend! I'll show you the rest of the pics I found of these girls because I was impressed!!!

The rockabilly scene is weighed heavily with the blue-collar tattooed look, even the woman take this on. I understand the blending of the eras and scenes to create one solid look, but when the girls start wearing day clothing with an evening handbag and jewelry...that's when I start to cringe! Maybe I'll throw in some examples later.

Here's some pics of the "rockabilly gals"...

These girls look great. I think the this look can be achieved without looking like you are in a costume. Despite the third girls exaggerated hair color, the style and her makeup is fantastic! Note: they have flowers in their hair, but they look like they are going out to dinner or cocktails. Ladies, THAT'S when the flower is appropriate and only then.

Despite the fact that these ladies look borderline "costumey", their look is perfected! I love the sweet look of the gal in the passengers seat. She reminds me of Rachel McAdams in The Notebook. The one in the drivers seat is very "bombshell". Her gorgeous red hair is styled flawlessly. The gal in the back, despite my lack of favor for the "country/cowgirl" look has that Patsy Cline thing going and it works.

The girls in this photo are the typical rockabilly girls you'll see around. They have taken their new dresses and made them look retro. They have the proper hair styles and makeup, and despite their cheap shoes (oops!) they look well put together. I would give them 3 stars.


I really don't like the flower in her hair, but aside from she's a good example of taking the casual look of the cropped pants and the tank top and heels and putting it together to get a cute rockabilly look, and as I mentioned...the perfect hair and makeup.

I'm gonna say that it irritates me when I see girls walking around car shows in swimming suits and heels. It's really uncalled for. Go get a crop top and shorts. Just because its vintage and cute and short, doesn't make it okay. Aside from all that, their hair is done perfectly and they look great. The gal in the middle wearing the cheap dress with what looks like a giraffe print, should have thought twice about buying that, but her hair makes up for it. I hope she has cute shoes on.
Cute, cute, cute! their dresses fit them perfectly and their hair is fantastic. They look retro without the costume effect.

Some other typical girls. The girl on the left with the blonde streaks...those tend to be more "Psychobilly", but these days its all blending together and becoming relevant to one scene. Again cheap modern dresses in the appropriate colors and hairstyles to bring it all together.

Once again we see a mishmash of Rockabilly and Psychobilly, but their looks are very cute. The girl on the far left looks the "sexy" part, the girl in the middle is adorable, and the girl on the right is a little more badass. You'll see the leopard prints, cropped pants, 40s silhouette, high and wedge heels, the victory rolls, bandanna, and of course...tattoos.

You'll find that despite every ones variation, it's all very relative. Hair and makeup styles vary between the 1940s/1950s style. A lot of victory rolls or "Betty Page bangs", red lipstick, sharp eyebrows, and black eyeliner. Clothing always has a retro feel with 40s/50s style dresses, leopard print, and a lot of red, black, and navy. Bandanna's in pulled up hair, denim jeans, Cowgirl shirts, Hawaiian print dresses, polka dots, high waist pants/shorts, halter tops, etcetera. The girls are always wearing heels wedges or when there's going to be a lot of walking, slip-on flats. Even when their personal look has a bit of masculinity (jeans & sneakers), you'll always find a Rockabilly girl with flawless (feminine) make-up. I can't forget the cherry on top...tattoos!