Y'know, living in the U.S., it's hard to appreciate just how much Mod culture has infiltrated the public consciousness in the U.K. I once thought that Mods had fallen beneath the radar, even out there, but this commercial proves me wrong.
I find it pretty funny, myself, but I'm curious as to what the thoughts were when this first aired. Are Mods in the U.K. pretty much a common, well-known culture to be spoofed like this much like Haight-Ashbury hippies would be in the U.S.? Is Quadrophenia as well-known in the U.K. as, say, Saturday Night Fever is out here?
Also, what are YOUR thoughts on the above video?
Monday, October 17, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Sharp Stylings #12: Charlie Watts
We can learn so much from yesterday’s fashion icons. And living in a post-Mad Men world means we can even enjoy aspects of current male fashions! Every Friday, I’d like to start your weekend off right with a little style inspiration from either then or now. Hopefully, my fellow Mod enthusiasts will find the whole or some detail of the whole to appreciate and maybe even adopt.
[Mod Male is on vacation at this time so won't be able to respond to any comments.]
In the British Style Genius video I linked to on Monday, Charlie Watts (y'know, Rolling Stones drummer and all) was featured in some of the interviews, which I thought was a good choice. Having not read up much on his life (which I plan to remedy in the future), I wasn't sure what his involvement was with early Mods. That said, this guy had impeccable style back then:
Great hair, nice button-down shirt, thin tie, with a form-fitting suit, Watts is looking stone-cold hip here as he takes some time for a fan.
But even more importantly, this guy has not let up on the style well into his older age! While most 'rock stars' are out there trying desperately to hold on to their youth, Charlie Watts is usually seen in a tailored suit and tie. No, he's not walking around in Mod-stye suits or anything, but he is always looking dapper and well put-together. Again, a lesson for all us aging guys... we don't have to give in to casual simply because it's comfortable. Think about it... while Paul Weller is walking around intank tops singlets*, Charlie Watts is straight-loungin' like this:
And y'know what? He probably dresses this nice just to do his backyard gardening! Dang!
*Yes, I know there are photos of Charlie in tank tops in the 1970s... but that decade was messed up for almost EVERYONE style-wise. I'll give the guy a pass.
[Mod Male is on vacation at this time so won't be able to respond to any comments.]
In the British Style Genius video I linked to on Monday, Charlie Watts (y'know, Rolling Stones drummer and all) was featured in some of the interviews, which I thought was a good choice. Having not read up much on his life (which I plan to remedy in the future), I wasn't sure what his involvement was with early Mods. That said, this guy had impeccable style back then:
 |
| Taken from the Relais Madeleine Paris site, filled with great photos and autographs of '60s figures. |
But even more importantly, this guy has not let up on the style well into his older age! While most 'rock stars' are out there trying desperately to hold on to their youth, Charlie Watts is usually seen in a tailored suit and tie. No, he's not walking around in Mod-stye suits or anything, but he is always looking dapper and well put-together. Again, a lesson for all us aging guys... we don't have to give in to casual simply because it's comfortable. Think about it... while Paul Weller is walking around in
*Yes, I know there are photos of Charlie in tank tops in the 1970s... but that decade was messed up for almost EVERYONE style-wise. I'll give the guy a pass.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Mod Gone Wrong: 'Carnaby Street' Costume
[Mod Male is on vacation at this time so won't be able to respond to any comments.]
I guess this type of costume could only work in the U.K., seeing as how most people in the U.S. wouldn't get the Carnaby Street joke. In fact, I can guarantee that if you walked into an American Halloween party with the following costume, you'd be greeted with a chorus of "Hey, it's Austin Powers! Grooooovy, Baby!"
You really have to hand it to the company who came up with the male version of this costume. In American dollars, this would be almost $40 for a black shirt and wide tie to rent! And I'm only guessing that's a tie because it could easily pass as a bib to protect your clothing if you happen to be eating lobster at a fancy art museum restaurant.
Ahh... I think I figured out why these costumes are for rent only. I imagine that if it were for sale, you'd see a lot of newbie insta-Mod gals hitting nightclubs all over town in, what they might think, was an Yves Saint Laurent knock-off! Still can't quite make out what the deal is with the blue wig. Maybe her boyfriend's wide Mondrian tie wasn't wacky enough?
Oh, and look at that... seems she's got the same type of go-go boots worn by Moddish women who still haven't gotten the memo.
I guess this type of costume could only work in the U.K., seeing as how most people in the U.S. wouldn't get the Carnaby Street joke. In fact, I can guarantee that if you walked into an American Halloween party with the following costume, you'd be greeted with a chorus of "Hey, it's Austin Powers! Grooooovy, Baby!"
 |
| Want to dress up as a walking Mondrian painting? |
Ahh... I think I figured out why these costumes are for rent only. I imagine that if it were for sale, you'd see a lot of newbie insta-Mod gals hitting nightclubs all over town in, what they might think, was an Yves Saint Laurent knock-off! Still can't quite make out what the deal is with the blue wig. Maybe her boyfriend's wide Mondrian tie wasn't wacky enough?
Oh, and look at that... seems she's got the same type of go-go boots worn by Moddish women who still haven't gotten the memo.
Monday, October 10, 2011
British Style Genius - The Street Look (Mod Section!)
[Mod Male is on vacation at this time so won't be able to respond to any comments.]
The below videos are from a BBC series called British Style Genius and, trust me, the whole thing is great! You can find these segments on the YouTube, but if you want to skip to the Mod stuff, hit the 4:30 mark in the first video, then continue on to the second. And keep an ear out for the ingredients of a Mod.
The below videos are from a BBC series called British Style Genius and, trust me, the whole thing is great! You can find these segments on the YouTube, but if you want to skip to the Mod stuff, hit the 4:30 mark in the first video, then continue on to the second. And keep an ear out for the ingredients of a Mod.
"Mod was aspiration." It doesn't get much truer than that. So many great interviews in here to back that line up.
My other favorite line from this segment: "Friday night clothes, please. That just wasn't what we were about." Hearing statements like these from some of the originals brings a huge smile to my face!
Honestly, there's not a whole lot for me to add today, what with the documentary saying what needs to be said. So I'll leave it at that. Enjoy!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Sharp Stylings #11: Jacques Dutronc
We can learn so much from yesterday’s fashion icons. And living in a post-Mad Men world means we can even enjoy aspects of current male fashions! Every Friday, I’d like to start your weekend off right with a little style inspiration from either then or now. Hopefully, my fellow Mod enthusiasts will find the whole or some detail of the whole to appreciate and maybe even adopt.
[Mod Male is on vacation at this time so won't be able to respond to any comments.]
In honor of the French portion of our trip, today's sharp fellow is Jacques Dutronc. Personally, I never got too heavy into '60s French music, but there are the popular dancefloor songs I really dig such as Dutronc's Le Responsable.
I actually had a difficult time finding a slick photo of Dutronc NOT in a 3-piece suit. And it's not that I don't like 3-piece suits (I do), but I wanted to get a more Moddish-looking photo of the guy. So, here he is lookin' killer in a slim suit, thin lapels, nicely cut pants (should I be using the term 'trousers' for any international readers?), thin tie, and... is that a pocket square or a pair of eyeglasses sticking out of his pocket?
Doesn't matter... with the confidence this guy's exuding in the photo, he could be wearing a pocket protector and still out-cool you.
[Mod Male is on vacation at this time so won't be able to respond to any comments.]
In honor of the French portion of our trip, today's sharp fellow is Jacques Dutronc. Personally, I never got too heavy into '60s French music, but there are the popular dancefloor songs I really dig such as Dutronc's Le Responsable.
 |
| Taken from the NeoRetro blog. |
Doesn't matter... with the confidence this guy's exuding in the photo, he could be wearing a pocket protector and still out-cool you.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Mod Gone Wrong: '1960s Mod' Costume
[Mod Male is on vacation at this time so won't be able to respond to any comments.]
Well, Mod Subculture, you know you've hit the big time when you've got a Halloween costume based on you. Looks like you're not 'underground' any more, old friend.
According to the description of this outfit, it would be "perfect for any 60's Mod"... because, I guess, you'd want to go to a Halloween/'fancy dress' party as yourself? The designer of this costume spared no expense in its authenicity, thus creating an "effective Sizties" costume which includes a "Parker Coat."
My favorite bit about this whole thing is the target on the back, because it just can't be 'mod' without the target. And just in case people at the party can't quite figure out what you're supposed to be, the costume comes complete with two patches declaring "Mods" and "Mods RULE." Now let's be honest here, how many of you guys reading this actually have those exact patches on your parkas right now? Looks like your costume search is over!
I do wish I had seen this several years back, though. It would have saved me a lot of time and effort when I decided to go as a teenage me!
Although I do hate dressing up, I do love October and Halloween, so expect more Halloween Mod Gone Wrongs in the coming weeks!
PARKER POWER!!
Well, Mod Subculture, you know you've hit the big time when you've got a Halloween costume based on you. Looks like you're not 'underground' any more, old friend.
 |
| Hey, just in case some of you want a parka but don't want to hunt one down at a surplus shop, just go here! |
My favorite bit about this whole thing is the target on the back, because it just can't be 'mod' without the target. And just in case people at the party can't quite figure out what you're supposed to be, the costume comes complete with two patches declaring "Mods" and "Mods RULE." Now let's be honest here, how many of you guys reading this actually have those exact patches on your parkas right now? Looks like your costume search is over!
I do wish I had seen this several years back, though. It would have saved me a lot of time and effort when I decided to go as a teenage me!
 |
| This outfit worked for Halloween and would probably work for plenty of scooter rallies too! |
PARKER POWER!!
Monday, October 3, 2011
In Support of Style (and Color!)
[Mod Male is on vacation at this time so won't be able to respond to any comments.]
By the time this post goes up, we'll be walkin' the streets of London. Oh sure, you probably think I want to strut around Carnaby Street, but actually, I'd rather be window-shopping and wishing I could afford items in Ozwald Boateng's shop! One of Savile Row's flashest tailors, Ozwald lays down some interesting thoughts on style and use of color in the following documentary:
Take some time and dig what he lays down here. (And for you ska fans, you'll appreciate hearing about his background!) You can find the rest of the film on YouTube. Get to it!
Meanwhile, we'll be doing the tourist thing on the Thames.
By the time this post goes up, we'll be walkin' the streets of London. Oh sure, you probably think I want to strut around Carnaby Street, but actually, I'd rather be window-shopping and wishing I could afford items in Ozwald Boateng's shop! One of Savile Row's flashest tailors, Ozwald lays down some interesting thoughts on style and use of color in the following documentary:
Take some time and dig what he lays down here. (And for you ska fans, you'll appreciate hearing about his background!) You can find the rest of the film on YouTube. Get to it!
Meanwhile, we'll be doing the tourist thing on the Thames.
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