In Fear Of

[Codfromderby]

I bet they aint licenced either......bootleg bowling shirts lol

ive got an orange t shirt with "cool off" written on it, apparently the original t shirts were green, its also 100% cotton, where the originals were poly cotton mix with a stamped in washing label

[Stevie T]

although its not my personal taste in clothing now ! , i did it , i see the young people in their massive trousers , circle skirts etc , can you remember what it was like ? getting the uniform ready to go to an allnighter , creases in the trousers you could shave with . Their passion for the music or scene in general is wonderful to see , their outfits are a loud shout to say "this is what i am into and i love it "

[Daved]

I find it a bit rich that anyone who's into music from more than 40 years ago can criticise people for wearing old fashioned clothes

[KevH]

Oh dear, just more negativity......

Russ

Russ,that post was tic...me negative - don't think so.

[Soulman]

Each to their own Steve, I can't make comments on what folk wear because I don't look too good in anything {porky Paddy} but could you not say technology has moved on and why do folk keep playing music on record players.

Hi Paddy

I've been trying to get my CD's to play on record players but the grooves seem to shallow

Steve

Edited May 14, 2012 by soulman

[Mak]

Keep The Faith lol

Right on soul brother. :0)

[manus]

Couldn't care less what people wear that's their choice , baggies are not my cup of tea and if I'm honest I always thought they were a bit naff even in the 70s and there were plenty of us who didn't wear them but if folks want to wear them why not - I wouldn't want anyone telling me what I could or couldn't wear.

Cheers

Manus

[Geeselad]

In the 8ts, when flare groove was at it height and the 70's seemed to have a peverse apeal to rail against the ubercool look of , 2nd hand 501's, capper DM's, and MA1's, the 'wigan look' had its appeal. For me now it just reveals an anti fashion aproach, of many who clearly just wish it was 1975 again, some 7ts clothes look great and for me it was an era of great style for a few and ugly lumpen garments for the many, the Wigan vest's bags and hoop skirts is defiatly part of the later.

[Mark S]

I tilt my hat to the side and walk with a limp , propper 70,s style

[paultp]

If I remember the 70's correctly (and I might not) fashions changed pretty quickly. One reason for this was that the mainstream clothing companies would latch on to it and it became mainstream and so was dropped by anyone with fashion sense.

I worked in a couple of clothes shops and you couldn't get what you wanted to wear in the shops until you didn't want to wear it. Most people I knew had their clothes made, staff from shops would trade their staff discount with each other to make things more affordable.

I wasn't "on the scene" in the 70's but York being a small place I knew people who were and many of the fashions were seen first from that group. They were traveling regularly and picking up styles from elsewhere. I first saw wider parallel trousers in that group, they came from wearing wider trousers to dance in, a la Fred astaire, same with wearing trousers higher off the shoes. My first few pairs of parallels that were wider than sta prest were all made for me. Leather coats came from the Northern Soul scene too, but the best ones were made bespoke in Birmingham and I couldn't afford one.

Bags (Oxford bags?) came to the shops after flares but for the same reasons - to go with platform shoes. You had to buy your trousers a couple of inches longer as the idea was to get your bags wide enough so they just covered the tops of your shoes - front to back.

This might not have been the same for everyone but platforms came and went but bags didn't, so the long ones got turned up to wear with brogues and loafers. Again soulies and others had been wearing brogues and loafers for ages, I wore them to school. Bags with leg pockets were really hard to get hold of, particularly those cord ones. There was a stall on the market that occasionally got stuf but never had many pairs. I remember someone coming into the shop and saying the magic words "Karmen Ghia leg pockets are in the market" - no staff left in the shop except the manager!

Bags then started getting sold mainstream and also started getting wider and wider. Nobody wanted them any more as everyone could have them. I don't remember vests ever being a fashion item but I packed all this in when I joined the army in 76.

The reason I'm rambling on is because vests and baggies seem to have become a uniform for some people, when actually there never was a uniform - things changed all the time and those with enough money stayed ahead. Groups of people who did the same sort of thing and shared a social life tended to dress in the same way but not identically, as I remember there was always a desire to have something different.

Patches are a good case in point, these were originally only available from venues but by the late 70's generic northern soul black fist sew on badges could be bought in newsagents. I'm sure you can buy vests now with patches already on.

The fad for bowling shirts in about 74/75 came from a desire to have shirts that nobody else had, the desire to have an exclusive item of clothing was met by importing shirts that were one offs. These got dropped when mainstream shops stated manufacturing bowling shirts for the UK market and everyone could have one.

I think the test of whether people are dressing up or not is would they wear the same clothes when not at an NS event (niter or otherwise)? Is it their "look" or do they just think that is what they should look like?

I like retro clothes, I still have some but I don't wear them any more, but stuff being manufactured in 2012 that is meant to look retro is just naff. It is like new re-issues - anyone can have them - what is the point? Mass produced fashion misses the point.

I agree with whoever said that people can wear what they want but I'm entitled to have an opinion on it and if asked (or not) will express it. I personally think that wearing 36+" bags and a vest with patches and whatever else that have probably been knocked up last week in china is just dressing up. It makes the scene look like teddy boys did in the late 70's when you could buy new drapes and beetle crushers off the shelf. I imagine a number of old rockers shook their heads, rolled their eyes and wondered where they had put the trusty cut-throat at the thought of people wearing a mass produced version of what they had worn as a made to measure fashion in the 50's.

I am typing this wearing a Berghaus fleece, walking trousers that zip off above and below the knees, a T-shirt celebrating the British Moth Dinghy Class's 80th anniversary in 2012 and a pair of Merrells. Rush out and get something similar now for it is the new new thing (hopefully).

Cheers

Paul

[Guest Byrney]

I find it a bit rich that anyone who's into music from more than 40 years ago can criticise people for wearing old fashioned clothes

It's not about old fashioned clothes, it's about a particular look.

In my view the nostalgia scene baggy look does not stand the test of time as a look (unlike say Mod, Casual, Suedes, all 'old fashioned'') and looks incredibly poor on today's nostalgia crowd ( just my view, sorry if some don't like it but it isn't going to change).

I like today's music too, so am I ok to have an opinion ;)

[Guest nubes]

You don't have to have them made , companies still sell them like this one !

https://www.soulclobb...og/Trouser.html

I just choked at the price of the trousers ...the last time baggies was sold was only a tenner back then...i loved if one is over a certain waist size that yer had to add an extra tenner!!!! Delxxxxxx

[Suzannek]

I couldn't give a toss what folks wear as long as they ain't hurting me.

Suz x

[Bo Diddley]

Not keen on the dressing up bit. I don't think too many people can pull it off today. As someone else said, it kind of looks like an extreme caricature. But each to their own. Live and let live.

By the way, here's an advert for some originals. I think I've got a blank order form from the Casino somewhere.

Cheers

[Wiggyflat]

Whaever happened to this look on the scooter scene?

Edited May 14, 2012 by wiggyflat

[Wiggyflat]

Never seen any scooterists into this seventies patchwork baggy look either....they are stuck in 64......move on from 64 to 74

Edited May 14, 2012 by wiggyflat

[Guest Polyvelts]

I didn't get into soul till I was 17, but wore 3 button waistband Birmingham and Oxford bags and vests and three star jumpers with 5 inch ribbing, tank top and cardi twin sets (remember those!!) etc from 73 to 77 until I discovered punk, everyone I knew did - they were just the clothes of the period that everyone wore !! But I do remember that bags felt brilliant to play football in ! The flow and swish as you ran down the wing felt great and looking at old clips of Wigan dancers it really does make good footwork look graceful in a way that drainpipes just don't. So maybe that's what people find appealling about wearing them ?

IMO of course !

[21 Again]

I remember trying to alter my spencer bags into spencer pegs

[Hermanthegerman]

Sorry, folks, but it´s really sad slagging some young uns off about what kind of clothes they think are cool.

Still remember being young some years ago and begging to differ in clobber and musical choice.

Ok, I don´t wear 10 hole Rangers anymore nowadays, but loved them back then

So, to cut it short, if your british youngsters think that´s cool and they start rejuvenating the british scene with most folks being 40+ish why the f... do you have to mourn?

All imho, of course...

Edited May 14, 2012 by hermanthegerman

[Guest allnightandy]

I just choked at the price of the trousers ...the last time baggies was sold was only a tenner back then...i loved if one is over a certain waist size that yer had to add an extra tenner!!!! Delxxxxxx

There's a lot more material required now a days due to "Inflation" LoL

[Guest Droylsdonian]

Let teh kids do whatever they are comfortable with. They will do it anyway, so relax you Nazis!

Personally, I just wear regular clothes to go to NS dos - teh sort of gear I go to teh pub in.

There are some rather frightening aspects to many of teh folk I have met since I came back on teh scene, just after last Xmas.

Not least of which is their psychotic belief that they 'own it'.

Be assured that there are many more of us still underground , where I think I'll go back to, collecting & listening.

Edited May 14, 2012 by Droylsdonian

[Mike]

how a forum works part 345....

people post up differing opinions/views and people have a talk about them

that's how things work on here

apart from one over the top surreal post, if you read this thread backwards you may see that the majority of posts could be said to be done in a fairly ok/good spirit and given past similar threads would say this its all a lot milder than some had back in the "old" days

hats off to all members involved for that

however if you are one of these types who only post up to moan about threads/posts and demand that others post only only opinions/views that you agree with then you do need to wise up

as it just doesn't work like that

idea is people post up differing opinions/views and people have a talk about... repeat to the year 2014

[Campagnolo 1]

Surely this is about taste ? most of us all have different tastes in music even though we all call it northern soul

it spans a long period of time so why can't people dress acording to the period they enjoyed the most ?

Not for me , but neither is some of the music under our umbrella , but i'm not going to knock them

Yes Mickey your right this is about Taste"BAD TASTE".!

This fashion for Baggy pants and circle skirts is in "my" opinion a very sad reflection of the scene today.

Most of the people wearing this gear are returnees or new comers. Most soulies I know evolved with the fashion of the day

Although men still wear parallels in style.

I agree people can wear whatever they like but just why "Adults" would want to dress this way is way beyond me .!!

Outsiders must think it's fancy dress.? o.k. it is Fancy Dress.!!

& no we dont all call it Northern Soul, I call Modern MODERN.!r&b R&B,house HOUSE etc etc.

Edited May 14, 2012 by campagnolo 1

[Guest ScooterNik]

Most of the people wearing this gear are returnees or new comers. Most soulies I know evolved with the fashion of the day

Although men still wear parallels in style.

This is the post I've been waiting for. It's the same on any scene... You can spot those who've lived it straight through from those who've just come back:

They expect it to be exactly how they left it. We see it all over the scooter scene - the lifelong mods look so much better than the returnees due to a practiced sense of buying style, instead of just catalogue shopping and the new skins wearing turned up jeans and knee high boots compared to the more restrained skins who've never been away,

The other side of the coin is that of youngsters who discover the scene and the only reference material they can easily find of the dress 'code' dates back largely to Wigan.

[Mak]

'1747079']

Sorry, folks, but it´s really sad slagging some young uns off about what kind of clothes they think are cool.

Still remember being young some years ago and begging to differ in clobber and musical choice.

Ok, I don´t wear 10 hole Rangers anymore nowadays, but loved them back then

So, to cut it short, if your british youngsters think that´s cool and they start rejuvenating the british scene with most folks being 40+ish why the f... do you have to mourn?

All imho, of course...

I've kept out of this argument on purpose . I have give up moaning about how awful the look is today. That aside the original post is on about the scene in general , or that is how I've read it .

I must admit the youngsters who are coming through do look cool as we looked just as cool back in the day ( I think ) . Now as for the originals and the re-issues ( older folk who missed the train first time round , or were not even born ) they do look rather silly to say the least .

50% of them do not really know why they dress like that . It would help if the clothes DID actually look like the way they did then , two coloured skirts with matching tops and ribbons , or baggie trouser that end at the knees , sorry but not how it used to be

A fair ammount of these ''Soulies '' think it's about the clothes and posting a piccie or two on here ,it's not it's about the music , it always was and always will be not to and prance around doing spins and ending up the other side of the room , a back drop and ending up looking like a coffee table . They have no idea what the name of the record is that they are dancing to or where it was played or what label it is on (thats another argument ) . I am so glad I was part of 60-70's soul scene Sorry getting carried away . Anyway , just my thoughts

Edited May 15, 2012 by MAK

[Guest nubes]

There's a lot more material required now a days due to "Inflation" LoL

:lol: :lol: :lol: ...Delxxxxx

[Guest miss nancy]

Actually they said they do:

"...the apparel oft proclaims the man." - Polonius in Hamlet

Which is why I always wear Primark.

I actually lol 'd at my desk to this

[tosspot]

I wear owt that fits me these days, but hopefully i'll be back into my 501s slim fit when i stop the w/end binge drinking

[Guest allnightandy]

I wear owt that fits me these days, but hopefully i'll be back into my 501s slim fit when i stop the w/end binge drinking

Sod giving up the drinking Just chuck the 501's and buy some tracky botts

[Guest MrC]

All I know is I'm not as slim & good looking as I once was and Now that food has replaced sex in my life, I can't even get into my own pants.

Edited May 15, 2012 by MrC

[Pete S]

I wear owt that fits me these days, but hopefully i'll be back into my 501s slim fit when i stop the w/end binge drinking

Snap, except it's not just the weekend..

[tosspot]

Sod giving up the drinking Just chuck the 501's and buy some tracky botts

tracky botts make my arse look saggy , damn the booze why oh why does it taste soooo good

[tosspot]

Snap, except it's not just the weekend..

Ditto,

[Guest allnightandy]

All I know is I'm not as slim & good looking as I once was and Now that food has replaced sex in my life, I can't even get into my own pants.

The older you get

The less people want to get into your pants LoL

[Guest MrC]

The older you get

The less people want to get into your pants LoL

twilight zone deja vu moment.........

[Simsy]

I remember feeling the need to wear patent leather shoes to a St Ives nighter many moons ago. I never went for Spencers & beer towels, but that look never bothered me and I'd go so far as to say I'm glad there were and still are those types about.

A Soul Sourcer's signature once read 'don't criticise a man for his trousers'..

Those of us who don't go for the Spencers look can still be found in our more low key uniform of Levis, Ben Sherman shirts and Loakes loafers/brogues ...

[Naughty Boy]

tracky botts make my arse look saggy , damn the booze why oh why does it taste soooo good

So you are a saggie not a baggie

Edited May 15, 2012 by Naughty Boy

[macca]

why does one need any kind of uniform, high key or low key?

[macca]

an afterthought. why not get a retro look going along the lines of "those who refused to tow the line 71-74 a la tony jebb and colin curtis'. there'll be massive run on crushed velvet pants, cheesecloth shirts and chelsea boots, I'll bet.

[Godzilla]

an afterthought. why not get a retro look going along the lines of "those who refused to tow the line 71-74 a la tony jebb and colin curtis'. there'll be massive run on crushed velvet pants, cheesecloth shirts and chelsea boots, I'll bet.

So now you're having a go at my usual 'going out' gear...?

[macca]

not all mate. fair play to you... if you've got the figure. :-)

[Guest Dave Turner]

Not keen on the dressing up bit. I don't think too many people can pull it off today. As someone else said, it kind of looks like an extreme caricature. But each to their own. Live and let live.

By the way, here's an advert for some originals. I think I've got a blank order form from the Casino somewhere.

Cheers

40" bottoms FFS

I got 27" inside leg . can you imagine

No, not for me but can appreciate why they were considered essential wear for Casino

Edited May 15, 2012 by Dave Turner

[Godzilla]

not all mate. fair play to you... if you've got the figure. :-)

You betcha!

[Jaco]

You betcha!

Just exactly what did they have in mind would happen when wearing this gear?

[manus]

This is the post I've been waiting for. It's the same on any scene... You can spot those who've lived it straight through from those who've just come back:

They expect it to be exactly how they left it. We see it all over the scooter scene - the lifelong mods look so much better than the returnees due to a practiced sense of buying style, instead of just catalogue shopping and the new skins wearing turned up jeans and knee high boots compared to the more restrained skins who've never been away,

The other side of the coin is that of youngsters who discover the scene and the only reference material they can easily find of the dress 'code' dates back largely to Wigan.

How I see it is there was no "dress code" at Wigan but I could understand for youngsters watching the only existing footage that it might appear that way. I think for most of us of our generation it's been about evolving styles as other posters have mentioned - I wouldn't have dreamed of wearing the Harrington or Crombie that I was wearing in 1970/71 in say 1974 although I liked both in their day and thought they were the dogs. Nor would I I have worn the high waisters or bowling shirts I wore in 73/74 later in 75 as it was about pegged trousers then for me and visits to shops like What the Dickens in Shepards Bush market - which was the best shop in the country in my opinion for trousers around 75/76 and frequented a lot by Soul fans. But I agree with Mak's point the music is the most important thing and again for some it's been about evolution - enjoying the great records of the past but still having a thirst for the new and I guess it's no surprise that those who still carry the original ethos of discovering new sounds mostly dress in a contemporary style.

As I said earlier I think it's about personal choice and even though in my opinion baggie trousers have always looked naff if someone wants to wear them then fair play it doesn't hurt me. But I do get a bit narked that this is seen as some sort of uniform when they were only worn by some and for a short period in the history of allnighters.

Cheers

Manus

[Citizen P]

Just exactly what did they have in mind would happen when wearing this gear?

Sweating yer nads off in a rundown Working Mens club 40 years later ???

T

[Ceejay]

tracky botts make my arse look saggy , damn the booze why oh why does it taste soooo good

Don't fret............................tracky bottoms make everyone's arse look saggy, lol!!!

[Hermanthegerman]

That aside the original post is on about the scene in general , or that is how I've read it .

Reread the original post and you´re right, I think he had a dig about the "oldies" in seventies gear.

Read the whole thread yesterday so maybe the pics of some youngsters and the related posts put me on the wrong track....

[Guest Matt Male]

All I know is I'm not as slim & good looking as I once was and Now that food has replaced sex in my life, I can't even get into my own pants.

I was thinking If I looked down I probably couldn't even see the edges of a pair of 12" bottoms

[Guest nubes]

Just exactly what did they have in mind would happen when wearing this gear?

To get funkified ...Mo Fo... ....ha ah ahaaaa... :lol: :lol: ..Delxxxxxxx