Rockabilly & Psychobilly. What is it exactly, and why do we love it?

Hey Dolls! I spent the day browsing for new tops and cardigans and some awesome new horror tees for HellCats. Personally if I'm not in a pencil skirt or wiggle dress it's cigarette pants and cute tees! Most of us "modern vintage" gals probably wear the rockabilly and pyschobilly style as an alternative and more casual version of our vintage glam. It got me thinking though...what exactly is pyschobilly and rockabilly fashion. I mean we know what it is but why is so popular with the pin-up ladies and just how does it tie in with the 1950's vintage style? Well here is a a little history. Very cool info!

1950's When it all Began

"For the first time in history, companies in the 1950s began marketing music, movies, and clothing to teenagers. Rockabilly, an early hybrid of rock and roll and country music, not only influenced pop culture but of course clothing styles. Since teenagers often want to emulate celebrities, it is no wonder that 1950s teenagers wanted to dress like their rock idols: Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Wanda Jackson and Janis Martin."

Women’s Fashion

Virgin Mary V Neck @ HellCats

"Teenagers favored casual styles such as mohair cardigan sweaters, pencil skirts, or cigarette pants. Circle and poodle skirts were also popular. Young women often accessorized with a scarf around their neck. Saddle shoes were popular with little girls and teenagers, while older women wore stiletto heels. Teenagers wore their hair in ponytails or styled their hair with softer shorter curls. Most teenagers didn’t leave the house without their red lipstick and eye shadow."

Men's Fashion
"Teenagers wanted to look tough like their rock and movie heroes. Young men sported black leather motorcycle jackets and newsboy caps like those worn by Marlon Brando in the movie The Wild One. Levi's and Wrangler jeans and t-shirts were worn by teenager trying to make a statement. Jackets were longer and boxier and trousers were skinnier. Many young men wore their hair long and slicked it back with hair grease like Elvis Presley. Jerry Lee Lewis popularized his long, blonde, wavy “killer” hair."

 Revival

"The rockabilly revival of today has altered the traditional 1950s rockabilly look slightly. Since rockabilly music has influenced alternative bands such as the Cramps, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Social Distortion, and Green Day, rockabilly fashions are more likely to be worn by punky women and their emo male counterparts. For example, Dita Von Teese (burlesque performer, model, and Marilyn Manson’s ex-wife) has revived the 1950s pin-up girl look with a slightly sinister gothic feel. Screenwriter and author Diablo Cody combines the 1950s Bettie PaIge look with leopard prints and skull and cross bone jewelry."

Psychobilly"While rockabilly clothing became popularized with the debut of the rockabilly musical style in the 1950s, psychobilly clothing styles emerged in the late 1970s and early '80s with the rise of the psychobilly musical genre. Psychobilly music began as a new style mixing punk and rockabilly music along with other musical influences. Psychobilly music is noted for lyrics that touch on subjects related to science fiction horror, sexuality, and violence; although songs often present subject matter in ironic, comedic, or tongue-in-cheek ways. By mixing various elements of punk, hot rod and motorcycle culture, film influences, and incorporating 1950s women's fashion influences and subculture dress elements, psychobilly clothing broke forth as an original style that refuted nicety. Bold, brash, and often blatantly sexy, psychobilly women's fashion takes confidence to pull off.
Tee shirts, skirts, dresses, and accessories may be emblazened with bold emblems of skulls, skeletons, flames, broken hearts, caricature pinup girls, zombie or undead girls, bass/guitar/music emblems."

Available @ HellCats

• Tight tee shirts
• Psychobilly band tee shirts
• Fitted short sleeve button blouses
• Western style short sleeve tops
• Hoodies
• Striped long sleeve tees
• Halter tops
• Tube tops
• Pencil skirts
• Pinstrip skinny capris
• Animal print leggings
• Mini Skirts with thigh highs or fishnet tights
• Rockabilly dresses
• Diner dresses

Fright Night Top @ HellCats

Soooo....now we know and now YOU can shop! HellCats has a great selection of Rockabilly and Psychobilly clothing and is adding more daily! Check it out.

Claw Full Tee @ HellCats

Use code PSYCHO20 at www.hellcatsclothing.com to get 20% off your ENTIRE order until Friday Oct 1st!

"Wearing ladies psychobilly clothing is more than just donning a garment. This unique, anti-establishment apparel is about an attitude. Women who wear psychobilly clothes prove that you don't have to adhere to mainstream fashion dos and don'ts to be sexy and stylish. While a wardrobe full of blood red and black clothing might not be right for every woman, showing off these strong styles is possible for many. What's more – the figure hugging styles of many psychobilly clothes for ladies revel in the natural curvaceousness of a woman's body, and many items are available in plus sizes as well. So finish your ensemble with a pair of platform pumps, a skull cameo, a black floral hair accessory – and your own attitude – to pull it all off."

 (Resources: Suite101.com and Lovetoknow.com)