THE SKINHEADS

The class system in the Uk´s late 50´s limited working class youth to participate in higher education and take part of economical opportunities. But the postwar economic boom also increased the disposable income for youth which they spent on fashion, american music and other popular culture. These young people became the Mods (see Mods and Mods revival post). 

Mods of lesser means, who did not have office jobs but more commonly worked in factories, used more practical clothing. They wore work boots, straight leg jeans, button down shirts and braces and for practical reasons they cut there hair to just a couple of millimetres. In 1965 a schism developed between the smooth mods & hard mods. The hard mods became commonly known as Skinheads by 1968.

1969 the band Slade used the Skinhead style as a marketing strategy. And the violent subculture gained wider notice by the novel Skinheads and Skinheads Escapes by Richard Allen (James Moffat). In a documentary about Richard Allen, a former skinhead tells the viewer how much this book meant for himself and his skinheads friends. It also talks about how this book made the most resident students volunteer to pick up a book and read it cover to cover. 

 The 4-skins spoke out agains neo-Nazism 

The Skinhead was not primarily based on politics or race. They listened to early reggae, SKA and Rock steady. As the time has gone by, Skinheads have been more and more associated with white power movements.

Since the style is now connected to the racist movement, it is difficult to have a positive opinion about it. many people dont know if they love it or hate it.