Northern Soul 70's Fashion

[Guest sue77]

Hi ,

My name is Sue and I'm currently studying Investigating Fashion Design MA at Bath Spa University. I've had a professional interest in fashion for 20 years working as a costume maker/stylist, but it was the Northern Soul scene in the 70's that first made me excited about fashion. So it seemed fitting to go back to where it all began for me, with Northern Soul

I'm trying to define the look which summed it all up, for me it was home made circular skirts with weighted hems and polyveldt shoes

Has anybody got any images or stories from the 1970's of fashion or fashion related objects from the Northern Soul scene. If so could you please post comments, stories or links here or on northernsoulfashion.blogspot.com

Could you also let me know: -

Where you bought them?

If you made them?

What you felt were the essentials to get "the look"?

Please let me know if it is OK to post images here.

Thanks, can't wait to see your pics!

[Ian Parker]

Hi ,

My name is Sue and I'm currently studying Investigating Fashion Design MA at Bath Spa University. I've had a professional interest in fashion for 20 years working as a costume maker/stylist, but it was the Northern Soul scene in the 70's that first made me excited about fashion. So it seemed fitting to go back to where it all began for me, with Northern Soul

I'm trying to define the look which summed it all up, for me it was home made circular skirts with weighted hems and polyveldt shoes

Has anybody got any images or stories from the 1970's of fashion or fashion related objects from the Northern Soul scene. If so could you please post comments, stories or links here or on northernsoulfashion.blogspot.com

Could you also let me know: -

Where you bought them?

If you made them?

What you felt were the essentials to get "the look"?

Please let me know if it is OK to post images here.

Thanks, can't wait to see your pics!

Hi Sue, just seen your post, i have some original 1970s circle skirts, an original Spencers version of the skirts & other related clothing, long leather coats, polyveldts & Mary Jane shoes, all-nighter bags & patches etc, let me know if you would like me to e mail you some photos?

I have worked in London as a vintage costume & textiles historian for many years, so if you need any help?

Kind regards Debbie (parkash)

[Guest sue77]

Hi Debbie, just picked up your message, I would absolutely love your help. If you have any photos of original 70's clothing that would be fantastic. I'm trying to create a definitive picture of what the scene looked like, and also about hierarchies within it, what made you stand out as being "a face" through your clothes etc.

I'm also trying to get some interviews with people who have first hand knowledge of the scene at the time, do you think it would be possible to interview you about your observations, memories and opinions of the scene, that would be fantastic. Your stock of clothes sounds amazing, are you still in London?

Many Thanks

Sue

[Ian Parker]

Hi Sue,

I dont live in London now, im in Lincolnshire, but i can sort out some photos for you & put them on here, or send them to your e mail address?

I will be away this weekend, but im back on Monday, so we can sort something out for the interview etc,

Kind regards Debbie x

[Barry]

I was reading one of me old B&S' from '74 and Frank Elson was going on in his column about a trend for having NS artists names knitted into the patterns on jumpers, down sleeves etc - anyone ever have one?

[Guest sue77]

Hi Sue,

I dont live in London now, im in Lincolnshire, but i can sort out some photos for you & put them on here, or send them to your e mail address?

I will be away this weekend, but im back on Monday, so we can sort something out for the interview etc,

Kind regards Debbie x

[Guest sue77]

Hi Sue,

I dont live in London now, im in Lincolnshire, but i can sort out some photos for you & put them on here, or send them to your e mail address?

I will be away this weekend, but im back on Monday, so we can sort something out for the interview etc,

Kind regards Debbie x

Hi Debbie,

I would love to see some pictures, my email is snicholson1973@gmail.com. Have a good weekend, and look forward to talking to you more next week.

Sue

[Guest sue77]

I was reading one of me old B&S' from '74 and Frank Elson was going on in his column about a trend for having NS artists names knitted into the patterns on jumpers, down sleeves etc - anyone ever have one?

They sound great, I'd really like to see that article, is there any way I could get a look at it? My email is snicholson1973@gmail.com Or do you have any reference for it so that I could try and look it up?

Thanks,good look finding a picture of one

Sue

[Stubbsy]

Hi Debbie, just picked up your message, I would absolutely love your help. If you have any photos of original 70's clothing that would be fantastic. I'm trying to create a definitive picture of what the scene looked like, and also about hierarchies within it, what made you stand out as being "a face" through your clothes etc.

I'm also trying to get some interviews with people who have first hand knowledge of the scene at the time, do you think it would be possible to interview you about your observations, memories and opinions of the scene, that would be fantastic. Your stock of clothes sounds amazing, are you still in London?

Many Thanks

Sue

Very interesting to see what you're doing Sue. Always been interested in the fashions side meself!

Pete Smith, (a very knowledgeable, helpful and likeable chap ), on here is probably someone who might help fill you in with a some of the info. you're after.

If you can get his assistance make sure he regales you with the tail of his long leather coat (they were all the fashion mid 70's) - it's bloody hilarious

Good luck with your project!

[Casper]

Hi ,

My name is Sue and I'm currently studying Investigating Fashion Design MA at Bath Spa University. I've had a professional interest in fashion for 20 years working as a costume maker/stylist, but it was the Northern Soul scene in the 70's that first made me excited about fashion. So it seemed fitting to go back to where it all began for me, with Northern Soul

I'm trying to define the look which summed it all up, for me it was home made circular skirts with weighted hems and polyveldt shoes

Has anybody got any images or stories from the 1970's of fashion or fashion related objects from the Northern Soul scene. If so could you please post comments, stories or links here or on northernsoulfashion.blogspot.com

Could you also let me know: -

Where you bought them?

If you made them?

What you felt were the essentials to get "the look"?

Please let me know if it is OK to post images here.

Thanks, can't wait to see your pics!

Hi sue...

we may well be able to help you too, we are both ex casino, cleethorpes samanthas etc etc

we still wear the vintage clothing as many do, we have original clothes from the seventies, i have a suit with all the buttons and pockets etc from 1975.... still wear it lol.. another suit is in the V&A collection, i have tailor made garments such as baggies and jackets made by the same tailor who made my clothes in the seventies from original cloth stock to original designs..also we have a spencers skirt and a two tone suit again from the early seventies which was also part of a V&A display ... we also have badges and patches membership cards and as always so many memories to share.... as many on here do..

i will send a link to my facebook when i get home from work, you can see the pictures there.... we will help if you wish ?

there must be loads of others on here with stuff packed in the wardrobe, ????

pete n' susan ktf

Edited November 24, 2009 by casper

[Guest]

As a bit of a fashion victim, I'd probably be able to help out on the memory front. That said, most of that gear from the 70s is just wrong, to say the least. I'm not really sure if it qualifies as fashion. The biggest offender must be Spencer's Soul Bags, or maybe Birmingham Bags. I do have a bit of a soft spot for Skinners, at least they weren't flared, unlike the shocking Flemmings from Liverpool. Fortunately, by the late 70s, much of this attire was starting to disappear from the scene.

[Guest lifeandsoul]

I was reading one of me old B&S' from '74 and Frank Elson was going on in his column about a trend for having NS artists names knitted into the patterns on jumpers, down sleeves etc - anyone ever have one?

Oh Dear - I had totally forgotten this but I had 'Van McCoy' embroidered onto a bowling shirt!!!!!! That would have been around 1974 i guess.

[Guest blockley]

Hi ,

My name is Sue and I'm currently studying Investigating Fashion Design MA at Bath Spa University. I've had a professional interest in fashion for 20 years working as a costume maker/stylist, but it was the Northern Soul scene in the 70's that first made me excited about fashion. So it seemed fitting to go back to where it all began for me, with Northern Soul

I'm trying to define the look which summed it all up, for me it was home made circular skirts with weighted hems and polyveldt shoes

Has anybody got any images or stories from the 1970's of fashion or fashion related objects from the Northern Soul scene. If so could you please post comments, stories or links here or on northernsoulfashion.blogspot.com

Could you also let me know: -

Where you bought them?

If you made them?

What you felt were the essentials to get "the look"?

Please let me know if it is OK to post images here.

Thanks, can't wait to see your pics!

[Mak]

Sue it was'nt the clothes it was the dancing that bumped you up the ranks .

I will try and find some old photos for you with the likes of , bowling shirts , bomber jackets , etc etc

FBAD.bmp

[Guest blockley]

Hiya, no useable photos am afraid but started going to wigan 1977 ,myself late 77 -78 when I first started working was able to afford made to measure trousers and jackets, pleats and pockets a plenty and very wide , used to buy( am from York) and the tailor we used was a guy called Seymour, his son is still running the same business. Used to draw them up take picture in for him with dimensions. We also had a pahse of wearing crombie's at school when we were 15, and me and two mates all wore them with flat caps, we got sent home from school fro being innapropropriately dressed.

Me and said freinds also when we were 15, around 77 made our own denim patchwork jeans, cut up out of old jeans and jackets we could find in charity shops, the more studs and buttons the better, again also very wide, and layerd and stuck together with copydex, looked really good but were quite hard tio walk around in, and only lasted about 3-4 washes before they fell apart - we used levi, wrangler and skinners (wish i still had photos of them).

Other stuff we bought oout of charity shops or flea markets, short 60's jackets thin lapels - we also had a friend who worker in Army and Navy store , and they once got a consignment of Itlain Demob suits dating from the 60's all two tone , so they got snapped up and altered to suit our frail adolescent bodies. I remember my jacket got stolen form a northern night, which was gutted about.

Also then 'coats' had a phase of wearing long leather coats, didn't last long as I though I was too coll to wear them - but then moved onto wearing a sheepskin a lot, even when I was at Wigan, god knows how I wore it in the casino as it was pretty damn hot all the time.

I also had two mohair cardys home knitted by my mother to my design, which I wore to casino, very nice and warm for mornings after all nighter - style was a cross of funky/punky look this was probably 79-80 i think. Used to get piss taken out of me at wigan, as only a couple of other people would wear them - afraid the look at wigan at the time was off the peg spencer bags with vest and beer towel and white socks - bit boring then - look great now though when you see lads under 25 wearing the same - Dave Blockley

[Casper]

hi Sue

as Pete says earlier in this thread about original spencers and other 70s northern soul clothing,

when i first got into northern soul , my mother made my circle skirts then i moved on

to spencers and in Nottingham where i am from, we had Roxy Threads.

I have been into Northern soul since i was 12 years old starting off in going to local youth clubs and northern soul nights then travelling further afield as i got older....

its always been a part of my life since that first soul night i went to in 1974.....and it always will be.

KTF

Susan

[Guest sue77]

Hi sue...

we may well be able to help you too, we are both ex casino, cleethorpes samanthas etc etc

we still wear the vintage clothing as many do, we have original clothes from the seventies, i have a suit with all the buttons and pockets etc from 1975.... still wear it lol.. another suit is in the V&A collection, i have tailor made garments such as baggies and jackets made by the same tailor who made my cloths in the seventies from original cloth stock to original designes..also we have a spencers skirt and a two tone suit again from the early seventies which was also part of a V&A display ... we also have badges and patches membership cards and as always so many memories to share.... as many on here do..

i will send a link to my facebook when i get home from work, you can see the pictures there.... we will help if you wish ?

there must be loads of others on here with stuff packed in the wardrobe, ????

pete n' susan ktf

[Guest sue77]

Sue it was'nt the clothes it was the dancing that bumped you up the ranks .

I will try and find some old photos for you with the likes of , bowling shirts , bomber jackets , etc etc

I totally agree with you about the dancing, I'm just really interested in "the look" that went with it. It was Northern Soul that inspired me to first make clothes- I worked as a costume maker/stylist for 20 years and if I was influenced in this way , I'd be interested to see if anyone else was. I'd love to see any old photos you have, can you remember where you bought the clothes?

Sue

[Guest sue77]

Hi sue...

we may well be able to help you too, we are both ex casino, cleethorpes samanthas etc etc

we still wear the vintage clothing as many do, we have original clothes from the seventies, i have a suit with all the buttons and pockets etc from 1975.... still wear it lol.. another suit is in the V&A collection, i have tailor made garments such as baggies and jackets made by the same tailor who made my cloths in the seventies from original cloth stock to original designes..also we have a spencers skirt and a two tone suit again from the early seventies which was also part of a V&A display ... we also have badges and patches membership cards and as always so many memories to share.... as many on here do..

i will send a link to my facebook when i get home from work, you can see the pictures there.... we will help if you wish ?

there must be loads of others on here with stuff packed in the wardrobe, ????

pete n' susan ktf

I'm really interested in your collection, a jacket with all the pockets and buttons was something I always wanted in about 1976 Could you tell me who your tailor is? as he's probably really interesting to talk to. Has the V&A had an exhibition about Northern Soul? Can't wait to see the pictures on facebook, would it be possible to interview you about them once I've had a look at them

Many Thanks for getting in touch

Sue

[Guest sue77]

Hi sue...

we may well be able to help you too, we are both ex casino, cleethorpes samanthas etc etc

we still wear the vintage clothing as many do, we have original clothes from the seventies, i have a suit with all the buttons and pockets etc from 1975.... still wear it lol.. another suit is in the V&A collection, i have tailor made garments such as baggies and jackets made by the same tailor who made my cloths in the seventies from original cloth stock to original designes..also we have a spencers skirt and a two tone suit again from the early seventies which was also part of a V&A display ... we also have badges and patches membership cards and as always so many memories to share.... as many on here do..

i will send a link to my facebook when i get home from work, you can see the pictures there.... we will help if you wish ?

there must be loads of others on here with stuff packed in the wardrobe, ????

pete n' susan ktf

I'm really interested in your collection, a jacket with all the pockets and buttons was something I always wanted in about 1976 Could you tell me who your tailor is? as he's probably really interesting to talk to. Has the V&A had an exhibition about Northern Soul? Can't wait to see the pictures on facebook, would it be possible to interview you about them once I've had a look at them

Many Thanks for getting in touch

Sue

[Guest sue77]

Hiya, no useable photos am afraid but started going to wigan 1977 ,myself late 77 -78 when I first started working was able to afford made to measure trousers and jackets, pleats and pockets a plenty and very wide , used to buy( am from York) and the tailor we used was a guy called Seymour, his son is still running the same business. Used to draw them up take picture in for him with dimensions. We also had a pahse of wearing crombie's at school when we were 15, and me and two mates all wore them with flat caps, we got sent home from school fro being innapropropriately dressed.

Me and said freinds also when we were 15, around 77 made our own denim patchwork jeans, cut up out of old jeans and jackets we could find in charity shops, the more studs and buttons the better, again also very wide, and layerd and stuck together with copydex, looked really good but were quite hard tio walk around in, and only lasted about 3-4 washes before they fell apart - we used levi, wrangler and skinners (wish i still had photos of them).

Other stuff we bought oout of charity shops or flea markets, short 60's jackets thin lapels - we also had a friend who worker in Army and Navy store , and they once got a consignment of Itlain Demob suits dating from the 60's all two tone , so they got snapped up and altered to suit our frail adolescent bodies. I remember my jacket got stolen form a northern night, which was gutted about.

Also then 'coats' had a phase of wearing long leather coats, didn't last long as I though I was too coll to wear them - but then moved onto wearing a sheepskin a lot, even when I was at Wigan, god knows how I wore it in the casino as it was pretty damn hot all the time.

I also had two mohair cardys home knitted by my mother to my design, which I wore to casino, very nice and warm for mornings after all nighter - style was a cross of funky/punky look this was probably 79-80 i think. Used to get piss taken out of me at wigan, as only a couple of other people would wear them - afraid the look at wigan at the time was off the peg spencer bags with vest and beer towel and white socks - bit boring then - look great now though when you see lads under 25 wearing the same - Dave Blockley

Hi Dave, what a shame you don't have any photo's, they sound classic. Do you think many people customized their clothes like you? The patchwork jeans sound impressive, can you remember how wide they were? The mohair cardys, did they have any particular design on them , to do with artists or something?

Even though you haven't got any photos, your descriptions have been really helpful, If you remember anything else, then please let me know

Thanks and keep in touch

Sue

[Guest sue77]

Hiya, no useable photos am afraid but started going to wigan 1977 ,myself late 77 -78 when I first started working was able to afford made to measure trousers and jackets, pleats and pockets a plenty and very wide , used to buy( am from York) and the tailor we used was a guy called Seymour, his son is still running the same business. Used to draw them up take picture in for him with dimensions. We also had a pahse of wearing crombie's at school when we were 15, and me and two mates all wore them with flat caps, we got sent home from school fro being innapropropriately dressed.

Me and said freinds also when we were 15, around 77 made our own denim patchwork jeans, cut up out of old jeans and jackets we could find in charity shops, the more studs and buttons the better, again also very wide, and layerd and stuck together with copydex, looked really good but were quite hard tio walk around in, and only lasted about 3-4 washes before they fell apart - we used levi, wrangler and skinners (wish i still had photos of them).

Other stuff we bought oout of charity shops or flea markets, short 60's jackets thin lapels - we also had a friend who worker in Army and Navy store , and they once got a consignment of Itlain Demob suits dating from the 60's all two tone , so they got snapped up and altered to suit our frail adolescent bodies. I remember my jacket got stolen form a northern night, which was gutted about.

Also then 'coats' had a phase of wearing long leather coats, didn't last long as I though I was too coll to wear them - but then moved onto wearing a sheepskin a lot, even when I was at Wigan, god knows how I wore it in the casino as it was pretty damn hot all the time.

I also had two mohair cardys home knitted by my mother to my design, which I wore to casino, very nice and warm for mornings after all nighter - style was a cross of funky/punky look this was probably 79-80 i think. Used to get piss taken out of me at wigan, as only a couple of other people would wear them - afraid the look at wigan at the time was off the peg spencer bags with vest and beer towel and white socks - bit boring then - look great now though when you see lads under 25 wearing the same - Dave Blockley

Hi Dave, what a shame you don't have any photo's, they sound classic. Do you think many people customized their clothes like you? The patchwork jeans sound impressive, can you remember how wide they were? The mohair cardys, did they have any particular design on them , to do with artists or something?

Even though you haven't got any photos, your descriptions have been really helpful, If you remember anything else, then please let me know

Thanks and keep in touch

Sue

[Casper]

Sue77 wrote...."but it was the Northern Soul scene in the 70's that first made me excited about fashion. So it seemed fitting to go back to where it all began for me, with Northern Soul"

Link Pm'd

yes I know where your'e coming from,35years is a long time...its 38 years for pete.

Fashions come and go, but for some of the northern soulies, going souling in traditional 70's soul clothes will never change..Pete and I are two out of many, of those soulies who prefere to preserve those memories within our dress code...

pete n' susan KTF

Edited January 5, 2010 by casper

[Guest dicklincoln72]

The things I remember most about the 70's fashions was getting a pair of new bowling shoes (red & blue) in exchange for an old pair of pumps when the alley first opened. I was a scooter boy in 65 aged 16 with the ultimate Levi Stay Press trousers in every shade available, Ben Sherman shirts and John Collier suits, made to measure Italian Style with inverted pleats and skinny fit jackets. Hand stitched loafers with tassles by Ravel were the ultimate in footwear. By the 70's it was Skinners baggy jeans, Fred Perry Polo's and skinny sleeveless jumpers shrunk in the drier so that you had to sqeeze into them, and I still remember my patent leather Aubergine coloured brogues. Those were the days.

[Guest sue77]

The things I remember most about the 70's fashions was getting a pair of new bowling shoes (red & blue) in exchange for an old pair of pumps when the alley first opened. I was a scooter boy in 65 aged 16 with the ultimate Levi Stay Press trousers in every shade available, Ben Sherman shirts and John Collier suits, made to measure Italian Style with inverted pleats and skinny fit jackets. Hand stitched loafers with tassles by Ravel were the ultimate in footwear. By the 70's it was Skinners baggy jeans, Fred Perry Polo's and skinny sleeveless jumpers shrunk in the drier so that you had to sqeeze into them, and I still remember my patent leather Aubergine coloured brogues. Those were the days.

Hi,

Nice shoes, I remember aubergine or "ox blood" long leather coats as being one of the things I coveted.

Sue

[Guest horwich chef]

i also had a pair of patchwork jeans made out of levis wranglers etc, these i bought of bury market they were made by spencers there was a stall were you ordered them and went back to collect them the week after , you could have as many pleats and crown flaps as you wanted they were 30 inch wide, my normal spencers were usually 40 inch wide , but due to the weight of them and probably the amount of layers of denim where not really a good idea at wigan as i spent most of the night pulling them up as i am shure they soaked the condensation up from mr ms

[dthedrug]

Hi ,

My name is Sue and I'm currently studying Investigating Fashion Design MA at Bath Spa University. I've had a professional interest in fashion for 20 years working as a costume maker/stylist, but it was the Northern Soul scene in the 70's that first made me excited about fashion. So it seemed fitting to go back to where it all began for me, with Northern Soul

I'm trying to define the look which summed it all up, for me it was home made circular skirts with weighted hems and polyveldt shoes

Has anybody got any images or stories from the 1970's of fashion or fashion related objects from the Northern Soul scene. If so could you please post comments, stories or links here or on northernsoulfashion.blogspot.com

Could you also let me know: -

Where you bought them?

If you made them?

What you felt were the essentials to get "the look"?

Please let me know if it is OK to post images here.

Thanks, can't wait to see your pics!

In them days we had no fashion for kids! and no toys! but we werehappy then as we had NORTHERN SOUL++ this is a NONCE free SITE I hope DAVE KIL

[Guest]

Hi,

Nice shoes, I remember aubergine or "ox blood" long leather coats as being one of the things I coveted.

Sue

Had one of those - shoplifted it! One of the biggest 'in' items of that period!

[Guest]

i also had a pair of patchwork jeans made out of levis wranglers etc, these i bought of bury market they were made by spencers there was a stall were you ordered them and went back to collect them the week after , you could have as many pleats and crown flaps as you wanted they were 30 inch wide, my normal spencers were usually 40 inch wide , but due to the weight of them and probably the amount of layers of denim where not really a good idea at wigan as i spent most of the night pulling them up as i am shure they soaked the condensation up from mr ms

you wouldn't want to be wearing those on a rainy day

[Illya]

Hiya, no useable photos am afraid but started going to wigan 1977 ,myself late 77 -78 when I first started working was able to afford made to measure trousers and jackets, pleats and pockets a plenty and very wide , used to buy( am from York) and the tailor we used was a guy called Seymour, his son is still running the same business. Used to draw them up take picture in for him with dimensions. We also had a pahse of wearing crombie's at school when we were 15, and me and two mates all wore them with flat caps, we got sent home from school fro being innapropropriately dressed.

Me and said freinds also when we were 15, around 77 made our own denim patchwork jeans, cut up out of old jeans and jackets we could find in charity shops, the more studs and buttons the better, again also very wide, and layerd and stuck together with copydex, looked really good but were quite hard tio walk around in, and only lasted about 3-4 washes before they fell apart - we used levi, wrangler and skinners (wish i still had photos of them).

Other stuff we bought oout of charity shops or flea markets, short 60's jackets thin lapels - we also had a friend who worker in Army and Navy store , and they once got a consignment of Itlain Demob suits dating from the 60's all two tone , so they got snapped up and altered to suit our frail adolescent bodies. I remember my jacket got stolen form a northern night, which was gutted about.

Also then 'coats' had a phase of wearing long leather coats, didn't last long as I though I was too coll to wear them - but then moved onto wearing a sheepskin a lot, even when I was at Wigan, god knows how I wore it in the casino as it was pretty damn hot all the time.

I also had two mohair cardys home knitted by my mother to my design, which I wore to casino, very nice and warm for mornings after all nighter - style was a cross of funky/punky look this was probably 79-80 i think. Used to get piss taken out of me at wigan, as only a couple of other people would wear them - afraid the look at wigan at the time was off the peg spencer bags with vest and beer towel and white socks - bit boring then - look great now though when you see lads under 25 wearing the same - Dave Blockley

Hi Dave I can still picture you in my mind those patch work Jeans with I think Allan Entwistle and Andy Pearse, me I didn't like them I did like the Sheepskin in the mornings but mine got slashed by some nutter from Bolton with a stanley so I took the sleeves off and wore as gillert for work. Seymour's pleasent chap often stops me for a chat in the street even though I haven't used his services for some twenty years, but excitment of going for a fitting and getting a view of your own desighned clothing. The day of picking it up and trying it on and not needing any changes to it. Then going out in it for the first time, picking the venue, if it wasn't a Wedding, all the little pocket you had in the seams and waste band, the multi buttoned cuffs, ticket pocket, He is still making top quality one offs Tailor by appointment to Trevski. Thank god I never went down the baggy pants brigade, and beer towels vest and patches, discrete top quality smart, Still got my first ever Livi. I have My second sheepskin leather trimmed coat open for offers 40 inch chest or there about, very nice. On the casual side it was 501's and argyle crew neck or a same paturned cardy with Fred Perry under it on the feet would be red socks and clubbed soled horse shoe heals brogues, if you couldn't see me you could hear me, right comfee for dancing in.

I also wish I had some photos of them days, but they could be used as evidence against you by the fashion police

Look forward to seeing you soon

Andy

[Padiham Pete]

Hi ,

My name is Sue and I'm currently studying Investigating Fashion Design MA at Bath Spa University. I've had a professional interest in fashion for 20 years working as a costume maker/stylist, but it was the Northern Soul scene in the 70's that first made me excited about fashion. So it seemed fitting to go back to where it all began for me, with Northern Soul

I'm trying to define the look which summed it all up, for me it was home made circular skirts with weighted hems and polyveldt shoes

Has anybody got any images or stories from the 1970's of fashion or fashion related objects from the Northern Soul scene. If so could you please post comments, stories or links here or on northernsoulfashion.blogspot.com

Could you also let me know: -

Where you bought them?

If you made them?

What you felt were the essentials to get "the look"?

Please let me know if it is OK to post images here.

Thanks, can't wait to see your pics!

Hi Sue77, i to used to wear 32" bags with double crown back pockets with zip adjusters on the sides, i`d ordered them out of Blues and Soul magazine, i us to wear Ben Sherman shirts or penny-round collered shirt with sleevless feriles jumpers or Fred Perry jumpers and of course Fred Perry shirts. I used to have a pair of two-tone ox blood tassel loafers with brass rings round the tassles & a pair of burgandy Royal brouges, and of course the must have full length leather coat and crombie with the red hanky in the top pocket with a diamond stud. Boy we thought we were the bee`s knees.

i got into Northern soul from the age of about 17 maybe 18 in around 72 73 but when i got married at 23 i had other thing to spend my money on, but i got back into it three years ago and it`s a big part of my life now. Sorry i have no photos to send you of the gear i us to wear, but the style is almost the same on the soul scene now with a lot of soulies as it was then. KTF Pete

Edited October 14, 2010 by Padiham Pete

[Guest proudlove]

Hi Sue77, i to used to wear 32" bags with double crown back pockets with zip adjusters on the sides, i`d ordered them out of Blues and Soul magazine, i us to wear Ben Sherman shirts or penny-round collered shirt with sleevless feriles jumpers or Fred Perry jumpers and of course Fred Perry shirts. I used to have a pair of two-tone ox blood tassel loafers with brass rings round the tassles & a pair of burgandy Royal brouges, and of course the must have full length leather coat and crombie with the red hanky in the top pocket with a diamond stud. Boy we thought we were the bee`s knees.

i got into Northern soul from the age of about 17 maybe 18 in around 72 73 but when i got married at 23 i had other thing to spend my money on, but i got back into it three years ago and it`s a big part of my life now. Sorry i have no photos to send you of the gear i us to wear, but the style is almost the same on the soul scene now with a lot of soulies as it was then. KTF Pete

Where do you go to nowadays PP?

[Wiggyflat]

Northern and scooter scene mid seventies fashion shots.....note patchwork jeans,abundance of DM's (who ever wore platforms on the street),denim jackets,beer towels (worn on the parkas) and worn by soulies in belts, why???? (heard it was a northern working class thing), feather hair,red socks,badges (patches of northern soul clubs/northern scooter clubs),sheepskins and long leather jackets.Football scarves were popular.

scooter jeans.bmp

scooter flares.bmp

jacket.bmp

scooter jeans.bmp

scooter flares.bmp

jacket.bmp

Edited October 15, 2010 by wiggyflat

[Guest]

Northern and scooter scene mid seventies fashion shots.....note patchwork jeans,abundance of DM's (who ever wore platforms on the street),denim jackets,beer towels (worn on the parkas) and worn by soulies in belts, why???? (heard it was a northern working class thing), feather hair,red socks,badges (patches of northern soul clubs/northern scooter clubs),sheepskins and long leather jackets.Football scarves were popular.

Please tell me that this was not a Wigan's Ovation tribute band

In respect of 1970s NS fashions , I had a phase for wearing tank tops in homage to Alan Day .

Malc

Edited October 15, 2010 by Malc Burton

[Padiham Pete]

Where do you go to nowadays PP?

Hi Proudlove, i go to quite a few places such has, Padiham town hall, that`s every 3 months,( that`s how i got back into the all Northern soul scene), it`s pack out every time 200 plus , soulies come from all over the place not just from around the Burnley, Padiham areas but from north yorkshire, the midlands all over, then there`s the grand in clitheroe, keirby hotel Burnley, greenlands Preston, rolls royce barnoldswick,this week ( that`s tomorrow ) it`s the mill hotel in croston near chorley, the bird trap brierfield in Burnley. The Norther soul scene is big again in Lancashire, and if you go on soul source and click onto events, you get all the venues in the area and beyond for that month and more. Events are springing up all over the place with top class DJ`s playing fantastic choons, it`s absolutely banging at the moment around my parts, and a lot of the soulies are still wearing the 30" bag`s and fred perry`s, vest with badges on them. Dancing in brouges and loafers,and the girls in full circle skirts ect.

KTF Pete

PS There`s a Northern soul night on at the Padiham town hall on the 13th November it`s are 3rd Anniversary ( but it`s ticket only ) look on soul source and click events then click November.

Edited October 15, 2010 by Padiham Pete

[Pauldonnelly]

Hi ,

My name is Sue and I’m currently studying Investigating Fashion Design MA at Bath Spa University. I’ve had a professional interest in fashion for 20 years working as a costume maker/stylist, but it was the Northern Soul scene in the 70's that first made me excited about fashion. So it seemed fitting to go back to where it all began for me, with Northern Soul

I’m trying to define the look which summed it all up, for me it was home made circular skirts with weighted hems and polyveldt shoes

Has anybody got any images or stories from the 1970's of fashion or fashion related objects from the Northern Soul scene. If so could you please post comments, stories or links here or on northernsoulfashion.blogspot.com

1972 aged 16...

I was into black leather Budgie Jacket, gross penny collar shirts and the obligatory white skinners, a moody bastard was I..

Edited October 15, 2010 by PaulDonnelly

[Guest]

1972 aged 16...

I was into black leather Budgie Jacket, gross penny collar shirts and the obligatory white skinners, a moody bastard was I..

Budgie Jackets ...... I had forgotten those

They were called that due to Adam Faith wearing one in his TV series " Budgie " , if I recall correctly .

You were a MB ? I do not believe a word of it ........ I bet you had many a conquest with those " CTB " eyes Mr D .

Malc

Edited October 15, 2010 by Malc Burton

[Pauldonnelly]

Budgie Jackets ...... I had forgotten those

They were called that due to Adam Faith wearing one in his TV series " Budgie " , if I recall correctly .

You were a MB ? I do not believe a word of it ........ I bet you had many a conquest with those " CTB " eyes Mr D .

Malc

I've had a few

My nick name at work for may years was Heinz, nod idea why

[Guest]

I've had a few

My nick name at work for may years was Heinz, nod idea why

Heinz ? Jobie told me it was " Martini "

Malc

[Pauldonnelly]

Heinz ? Jobie told me it was " Martini "

Malc

what as in Dean Martini? whereas Jobee pick up line was " i clean a big, big carpet for less than half a crown" apparently he stopped humping when he got to 1001.

Edited October 15, 2010 by PaulDonnelly

[Guest]

what as in Dean Martini? whereas Jobee pick up line was " i clean a big, big carpet for less than half a crown" apparently he stopped humping when he got to 1001.

No .... as in the drink , meaning " "Any Time, Any Place, Anywhere"

Malc

Edited October 15, 2010 by Malc Burton

[Pauldonnelly]

No .... as in the drink , meaning " "Any Time, Any Place, Anywhere"

Malc

no doubt yours was ""You can taste the hops inside Ben Truman"

Was he from Leek?

[Guest]

no doubt yours was ""You can taste the hops inside Ben Truman"

Was he from Leek?

Let us get this thread back on course before we get scolded , as it has gone from 70s fashions to 70s liquid consumables

You mentioned Skinners Paul , do they still make them ?

Malc

[Pauldonnelly]

Let us get this thread back on course before we get scolded , as it has gone from 70s fashions to 70s liquid consumables

You mentioned Skinners Paul , do they still make them ?

Malc

they do but not your size.

[Pete S]

Just a word about Spencers Bags and Polyveldts. Spencers weren't worn til late 78 and onwards and most of the people who wore them were considered divs. Polyveldts weren't worn until 1979, until then everyone wore Solatios, Brogues or Loafers. The polyveldts started with the girls as they weren't very good for blokes to dance in due to them not having leather soles.

[Pete S]

Let us get this thread back on course before we get scolded , as it has gone from 70s fashions to 70s liquid consumables

You mentioned Skinners Paul , do they still make them ?

Malc

Skinners are ultra-collectable and cost a fortune if you can find an original pair.

[Davetay]

Just a word about Spencers Bags and Polyveldts. Spencers weren't worn til late 78 and onwards and most of the people who wore them were considered divs. Polyveldts weren't worn until 1979, until then everyone wore Solatios, Brogues or Loafers. The polyveldts started with the girls as they weren't very good for blokes to dance in due to them not having leather soles.

To be honest I did not know Polyvelds where shoes till last year, when there where a tread on here about fashion.

[macca]

Just a word about Spencers Bags and Polyveldts. Spencers weren't worn til late 78 and onwards and most of the people who wore them were considered divs. Polyveldts weren't worn until 1979, until then everyone wore Solatios, Brogues or Loafers. The polyveldts started with the girls as they weren't very good for blokes to dance in due to them not having leather soles.

100% agree. I couldn't stand spencers or polyveldts, thought they looked decidedly naff.

I had 26" parallel cords with tunnel loops, worn with a gingham shirt with those pearl

studded breast pockets, late 76 maybe. Early 76 saw a lot of waistcoats and ties in my area.

Skinners look clown-like today, but I worshipped the older guys that wore them around 1972.

[Davetay]

Skinners are ultra-collectable and cost a fortune if you can find an original pair.

Only had one pair of Skinners (Winter 71/72).

Was the 1st in local youth club to get a pair, and when one of the other lads got a pair I bleached mine. :thumbsup:

Edited October 15, 2010 by davetay

[Guest aintgotit]

Hiya,love pm Parkash(Debbie would love to help you i can assure you!) Good luck!!

i remember me brother gettin a pair of black dungarees, , sheepskin coat others had patchwork jeans and bags but i thought our lad looked like no one else, cool as fuck, an a leather bomber jacket from the underground market which had the cut of a denim jacket but in leather, quite a few pics of lads on here wearing em , derek pearson for one , they were in brown or black.He had a tonic sports jacket which i inherited as well which was (sounds horrible ) green and purple, but it was a fucking perfect fit on him and then on me a few years later.,