THE MOD LOOK

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Mod (from modernist) is a subculture that originated in London, England in the late 1950s and peaked in the early-to-mid 1960s. Significant elements of the mod subculture include: fashion (often tailor-made suits); pop music, including African American soul, Jamaican ska, and British beat music and R&B; and Italian motor scooters. The original mod scene was also associated with amphetamine-fuelled all-night dancing at clubs. From the mid-tolate 1960s onwards, the mass media often used the term mod in a Click to to describe anything that was wider sense edit Master subtitle style believed to be popular, fashionable or modern. There was a mod revival in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s, which was followed by a mod revival in North America in the early 1980s, particularly in Southern California. The term mod derives from modernist, which was a term used in the 1950s to describe modern jazz musicians and fans.

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ORIGINS OF MOD Probably as early as the late 50s, small groups of individuals reacted against the Beatnik scene, baggy clothes, scruffy beards and Trad Jazz and the violence and yobbishness associated with Teddy Boys. They opted for smart suits, strongly influenced by Italian and French styles, and listened to Modern Jazz. They revelled in the new modern lifestyle of coffee bars and supermarkets that came to Britain in the late 50s. These early Mod

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Early

Modernists liked French films, often watched for the style of the actors' suits rather than the content as many did not understand the French language. They smoked French cigarettes - Galois and had French or Italian style haircuts. There was also a strong influence from the US. They liked Modern Jazz, by black US artists and later US Rhythm and Blues hits, also by black artists, usually rare tracks from the Tamla Motown label. There was also an American influence on clothes. Button-down shirts, rare in the UK, were sometimes bought from US servicemen. Early Mod haircut was the 'College Boy' - derived from the American Ivy League look of the late fifties.

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Mod terms

Faces were top Mods who were seen as taste makers in the Mod movement, the first to start a new trend. Numbers were younger Mods. The term came from having t-shirts with numbers on. For a time The Who called themselves The High Numbers; the name was meant to appeal to the Mod market. Younger Mods were also called sixes and sevens because the tshirts cost 7/6 from Woolworths. Tickets could also mean the same as Numbers, or might have referred to people with no fashion sense. A First Class Ticket being the worst offender. Mockers copied both Mods and Rockers, and mixed and matched from both. Mids did the same, but by accident rather than 4/14/12

THE LOOK

Stylistically Mods liked a smart suit, in a style that was constantly updated. Jackets became waisted, rather than box style, drawing on the influence of the traditional City Gent look. The length of the vents in a jacket and centre, or side vents became particular points of style. Lapels were always thin and trousers slim fitting with narrow bottoms. Mohair was often the first choice for material. It could be twotone mohair, which looked a different colour if viewed from a different angle. Slim ties were still popular, with knitted ties being particularly fashionable. Shirts were slim fitting, the button-down collar was very important.

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Favourite tailors and outfitters included Harry Fenton, John Michael and of course, John Stephen. By the mid 60s John Stephen's men's shop had taken over from the backstreet tailors. John Stephen's on Carnaby Street became the male equivalent of Mary Quant's Bazaar. In the mid 60s, the London Mods congregated in Carnaby Street for a regular fashion parade. Pop music poured from the boutiques and men's shops along the small, narrow street. By the mid 60s, boutiques catering for girls as well as boys were common on Carnaby Street 4/14/12

Mods also wore casual clothes. The original Modernists saw this as a dilution of the style. Jeans had to be Levis, shrunk to fit. The Fred Perry polo shirt was always a favourite with the Mods. Originally only available in white, in the 60s it was sold in various colours. The Fred Perry could be worn with a suit or with jeans. Jeans or slacks could be worn in a variety of colours; hipsters and flares came in and out. Mods also wore blazers, sometimes brightly striped boating blazers. Sports jackets in similar style were also worn, as well as suits.

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A favourite casual jacket was the Harrington. It was a short, blouson style, zipper jacket named after Rodney Harrington, a character in Peyton Place. James Dean also famously wore a red Harrington in the 50s.
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 The

look was often finished with an

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Innovative, creative, bold and brash. Sixties fashion belonged to London, England. The Brits set the tone and the world followed. The 1960s ushered in an attitude of "anything goes" and reflected the shifting politics of the day. "Do your own thing" applied to clothes as well.

Miniskirt lengths tended to vary by continent. In America the more conservative 4-5 inches above the knee reigned but in London, 7-8 inches or

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The boutique clothing store emerged in the 1960s as "the happening" place to shop. They were fun and hip and young people felt more comfortable shopping there. No geography was more famous for swinging boutiques than Carnaby Street and Kings Road in London. Not to be left out of the trend, Paraphernalia opened in 1965 on Madison Avenue in New York and was an instant smash. Color played a big role in defining the look. The muted and pastel palette of Fifties fashions gave way to bright, bold color often splayed in geometric patterns. From daywear to Day Glo in less than a decade.

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MOD LABELS

Fred Perry

The Fred Perry polo shirt was popular with Mods from the early 60s. It was originally meant for tennis and only available in white. Mod fashion demanded a greater selection of colours. The Fred Perry could be worn casually with jeans or under a suit.

Ben Sherman

Ben Sherman made his own take on the classic Ivy League buttondown Oxford shirt from his factory in Brighton from around 1963. The Ben Sherman shirt had buttoned-down collar with an extra button at the back, a pleat in the back and a hanging loop sewn into the shirt. Ben Sherman's were sold at John Stephen and Lord John on Carnaby Street in the 60s. They were worn by the original Mods and some of the Mod bands of the era. Later the Ben Sherman shirt

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Mod hairstyles
One such mod hairstyle captures the ease and beauty of the pageboy with the versatility and simplistic beauty of the Bob hairstyle and blends it together with a modern touch. Bobs and pageboys were much sought after looks in that day. An element to the mod hairstyle is Very straight to slightly wavy locks will work best with a mod hairstyle such as this because Click to edit Master subtitle style the finished look is sleek. that it is practically perfect for all hair types.

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