Bad Lads And Rock 'N' Roll

I have been fascinated by the style of the Teddy Boys in 50's and 60's London since seeing this photo of the Queen Mum's brother, my uncle Billy.

"A lovable rogue" she called him, my uncle Billy ended up entagled in a world of crime and was to never to be seen or heard of again. Whilst I never met my uncle Billy, his photo is always kept in my inspiration folder.

My father was also a Teddy Boy and the Queen Mum often used to recount tales of his amazing clothes - the long jacket with velvet collar, his super pointed shoes, drainpipe trousers and, of course, his quiff which was combed into a 'duck's arse' at the back.

My father was a drummer in a rock 'n' roll band when the Queen Mum met him, and still played in a band right up until I was about 5 years old. I have fond memories of going to watch him practice on a Saturday afternoon, and he even still had his Teddy Boy coat.

I think my fondness of the androgynous look really stems for these influential people in my life and the look of subcultures of the 50's and 60's.

Another image which always has me riffling the rails of charity shops for the perfect pair of men's suit trousers, are theses photo's of the notorious gangsters Ronny and Reggie Kray.

These vicious London hoodlums, were as well known for their crisp cut Savile Row suits and impeccable appearance as their dastdardly deeds. My Prince has a pair of glasses, which belonged to his father, that look exactly like these, and they look as amazing now as they did back in the 50's.

I am awaiting a new pair of white winkle pickers arriving from Underground, since the sole of my favourite pair finally gave up the ghost, leaving a gaping, Teddy Boy shaped hole in my wardrobe.

I will be looking for some slick drainpipe trousers and teaming them with my long boyfriend tuxedo jacket to evoke a little bit of the style of my Uncle Billy, my father and a little bit of London gangster thrown in for good measure.

Queen Michelle

Comments

[Dee]

Ah, Michelle... everyone loves a bad boy rocker but a girl dressed up as a bad boy rocker is infinitely better! Love those winkle pickers. Can't wait to see the outfit.

[CM]

Clearly your coolness is a little bit genetic...

[lady coveted]

ah pitter patter... this is the coolest post ever. dang.

i wonder if tom waits ever saw that pic of your uncle...

[jen b.]

love this post. my boyfriend has this style down pat, even has the greased up coif. that photograph of your uncle is incredibly amazing and to think your dad was also a teddy boy is probably the coolest thing ever.

[K-Line]

Man: That pic of your uncle is fantastic. The tat on the hand and the watch say it all. Thanks for posting it. K

[g]

Wow, you look eerily like your Uncle Billy. V. cool!

[Haute Concept]

Hey...nice post...the Fall/Winter 2008 collection for Costume National men has touches and hints of Teddy Boy inspiration as well.
http://hauteconcept.com/2008/01/14/milan-fashion-week-costume-national-collection-fall-winter-20082009-menswear-runway-review/

[shinylittlethings]

This post is amazing! I love the pic of your uncle. That is absolutely inspiring. I guess cool really does run in the family, eh?

www.shinylittlethings.com

[Jo]

Have been wearing something like this a lot this "spring": tight jeans, boy-ish blazer and these lovely specimens from Office: http://www.office.co.uk/womens/office_(w)/saint_lace_up/30/4570/12359/1

which have been getting an incredible reaction from women and men alike as I trot round town! Although looks as if Office owe Underground some dues there for providing "inspiration", hmmm...

[Luxe.]

Your uncle is sooo cool looking!!

[Hailey]

Your uncle is a hunk! I do love me a bad boy :-)

[WendyB]

Great photo of a bad boy!

[enc]

The Krays: a force to be reckoned with.

Your Uncle: Super-Kool Kat. I love that you posted that photo of him. Reminds me a bit of Tom Waits, he does.

Thank you for sharing some of your world.

[enc]

D'oh! I forgot to say the shoes are brillo!

[super kawaii mama]

I simply love this photo of your Uncle, I can see why it takes a place of pride in your inspirations book. I can just see meeting him in a smoky bar for a Gin or two.

[The Empress]

If you don't post a picture of this outfit when you wear it, I will feel a great gaping hole in my existence. Seriously (ish).

[Drusilla]

With a family like this, it's no surprise you've inherited the coolness gene :)
And the white winklepickers are absolute genius- I hope you'll show us the resulting outfit when you do wear it..

[Candace]

Hey, I was wondering if you'd let me restore the picture of your uncle. I'm learning how to restore old photos and I don't have any on hand. Good practice for me and free for you :)

[stacey]

hi iam stacey i think all your pictures of teddy boys are really cool my dad used to be one from the 70's but still is one great pictures keep them coming thank's stacey

[Johnny Anderson]

Hi, I spent 15 years writin a book which is now and e-book with over 600 photos. I need a photograph of a teddy boy or some teddy boys along with an email written permission to put it in my e-book. Anything would help, thanks, Johnny Anderson:

Johnny, live on TV:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IopSR5WtkPQ

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAimI0gSa4o

Johnny's book:

http://members.tripod.com/~johnnyspage/johnnysbook.html