Teddy Girl Inspiration

A while ago, I ran across this picture of a "Teddy Girl" somewhere on the internet, and I LOVED her look:
(I don't know that it's original vintage as the famous Ken Russell Teddy Girl photos were taken in London, and this girl is wearing an American Air Force jacket, but nonetheless, the Teddy Girls were brought to my attention!)
Flashback Summer:  Teddy Girl Inspiration

I began researching who the Teddy Girls were, and here's what I found out:
Very little is known about the Teddy Girl subculture of late 1940s to early 1960s Britain. They are often pictured in the rubble of bombed-out buildings, the result of World War II.  However, if it weren't for Ken Russell's photo shoot from 1955 and one article that mentioned them in the 1950s, the small group may have been forgotten all together!
Flashback Summer:  Teddy Girl Inspiration

The Teddy Girls were a spin off of the Teddy Boys, a group of working class London boys (often poor Irish immigrants) that would hang out on the streets and in cafes, oftentimes known for causing a bit of trouble and being general "hooligans".  Their dress (and sometimes, actions) seemed to draw inspiration from the old American Wild West and Edwardian period.  Sometimes they were connected with more violent crime, much like modern gangs (hence the picture below this paragraph, probably).  However, most Teddy Girls claimed that the negative, law-breaking part of their culture really applied to only a very small number of girls.
Flashback Summer:  Teddy Girl Inspiration

Rose Shine, a Teddy Girl in some of Russell's 1955 photos, described what their culture was really like, "We weren't bad girls.  We were all right.  We got slung out of the picture house for jiving up the aisles once, but we never broke the law.  We weren't drinkers.  We'd go to milk bars, have a peach melba and nod to the music, but you weren't allowed to dance.  It was just showing off: 'Look at us!'
We called the police 'the bluebottles' -- you'd see them come round in a Black Maria to catch people playing dice on the corner.  But we'd just sit on each other's doorsteps and play music."

Those crazies.

 While the boys dressed mainly in drainpipe trousers and blazers with a twinge of Edwardian influence, Teddy Girls embraced many silhouettes.  Some chose more "mannish" styles with short hair, blazers, and even jeans:
Flashback Summer:  Teddy Girl Inspiration
Flashback Summer:  Teddy Girl Inspiration
by Roger Mayne
Flashback Summer:  Teddy Girl Inspiration
Flashback Summer:  Teddy Girl Inspiration
Flashback Summer:  Teddy Girl Inspiration

Some girls, on the other hand, still wore earrings, hats, head scarves, espadrilles, skirts, and jewelry, all with an Edwardian flair:
Flashback Summer:  Teddy Girl Inspiration
Flashback Summer:  Teddy Girl Inspiration
Flashback Summer:  Teddy Girl Inspiration
Flashback Summer:  Teddy Girl Inspiration
by Roger Mayne

It's really interesting to think that these ladies were the vintage gals of their day!  In the 1950s, they were bringing back styles from the Edwardian decades past, just as we do with their time now!  They were inspired to go against the flow of their mainstream culture and dress as they pleased.  Does anyone identify?  I know I do!

You can bet you'll be seeing a Teddy Girl-inspired outfit post from me soon!

What do you think of the Teddy Girl style?  Would you incorporate any of their looks into your wardrobe?

(All photos by Ken Russell unless otherwise noted) 
Other sources for info:

8 comments

  1. I love this style - I just might have to join you in putting together an inspired outfit. In particular I am dying over some of their jackets, and the shoes, the shoes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you do put an outfit together, I'd love to see it!!! I follow your blog, but if you post it on there put the link here so I'm sure to find it! Or if you put it somewhere else..... Well, if you don't mind, let me know, because it would be great to see your take on the Teddy Girl style!

      Delete
  2. I LOVE the rebel style of these women! I like the softness of the first pic...that's my fave I think. But I am all about boyfriend jackets and jeans! Love the look! Thanks for the history lesson too...looking forward to your own teddy girl style post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, right?! It's such a cool style! "I'm going to rebel.... by looking classy and awesome." So great.

      Delete
  3. The teddy girl look is one that I admire from afar and for its cultural significance, but I haven't felt overly drawn to trying it out personally. I'm not opposed to the idea, don't get me wrong, I just haven't been hit with a major urge to try it out. Perhaps one day though - especially if I could the exact outfit the gal in the second photo here is sporting!

    ♥ Jessica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, her outfit is pretty Edwardian! I was surprised at the wide range of looks Teddy Girls had, though, granted, the majority were still comparatively masculine in the way they dressed, like the ones pictured here that do have some hats and skirts!
      And hey, it's alright not to totally like it. Obviously people in the 40s and 50s felt like you do about the whole look, because it was just a small group of people who did it! I kind of feel that way about the 50s a little bit. I like it, but it's not totally my thing. And that's okay! It's nice being able to pick and choose decades. :)

      Delete
  4. Yes! I am ALL over this!!! I love it! I've incorporated it on a small level into my wardrobe, a little more though in my college days. I'm glad someone else admires it.

    xoxo
    -Janey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's awesome!!! How cool. It's like gangster meets Sherlock Holmes. So great.

      Delete