Different Rock 'N Roll Fashion Styles

Rock 'n roll was born in the 1950s -- the era that also created teenagers as we know them today. This rebellious new generation created their own new fashions to express themselves. Since then, there have been many types of rock music, although many people still refer to the scene as rock 'n roll. With each new genre of music and each decade that goes by, new fashions emerge. Does this Spark an idea?

1950s: Original Rock 'n Roll

The men and women that listened to rock 'n roll acts like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis in the 1950s tended to dress in a specific way. Some adults found the music offensive and put limits on where it could be played, and the different types of fashions kids wore only served to intensify the older generation's sense of the music's inappropriateness. While girls opted for blouses teamed with wide belts and wide-hemmed skirts, boys started wearing pink shirts and gray or black trousers. Some young women wore a matching set of slim skirts and sweaters, and men also grew their sideburns to look like Elvis. Neck ties and flat shoes tended to be preferred by the girls. Other fashions young men went for included suede shoes, baggy pants and trousers with white stripes down the sides.

1960s: The British Invasion

In the 1960s, the rock 'n roll trend that had been growing in the United Kingdom for a decade traveled over the pond with new bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. These popular bands brought a new style to the United States. While the Beatles wore tailored suits and bowl haircuts, the Rolling Stones opted for a casual and rebellious look. With the music of the 1960s came the hippie trend, which saw people don bright-colored loose clothing, similar to Native American dress and usually made with natural fibers. The Beatles also eventually changed their appearance to become more hippie in their style. The British also shared a new fashion for whom the poster girl was supermodel Twiggy -- the mini skirt.

1970s: Psychedelic, Punk and Goth

Hippie trends continued into the 1970s, when they became more psychedelic, while a new trend -- punk -- was also born. Punks wore leather jackets, safety pins on their clothes and ripped jeans. Meanwhile, the psychedelic hippies moved away from the matching clothing of their 1960s counterparts and began wearing clashing colors. Goths also emerged in this decade, with men and women dressing in black, painting their faces white and wearing heavy dark make up around their eyes.

1980s: American Hairband

In the 1980s, one trend that stood out was that of the American hairband groups. These included Guns 'n Roses, Poison and Motley Crue. These musicians wore tight pants, big hair and flashy makeup. Band members, including famous guitarist Slash of Guns 'n Roses, wore their hair frizzy or in bangs with hairspray. They also wore eyeliner, mascara and blusher. Clothes were tight and made of leather, teamed with leather accessories. Skull motifs were common.