British Musical Experience

Music has always been something cherished by many.  The image that is given off by musicians can have many great impacts on their audiences. In the 1950’s the young population was obsessed with the looks of their favorite starts such as Elvis Presley, young girls would flock over his appearance while young boys would try to dress like him. This goes to show that one individual can have a huge impact on a culture trend. The 1960’s were no different. This was a time and growth for culture. During this time was when British pop music and fashion was becoming more known and popular. The fashion and hair styles quickly began to change.  Many young teens idolized their favorite musicians and would try to imitate their appearance. Males wanted to pull off the sex appeal which would attract their female target. The young men would try to make their hair resemble their idols.

 In 1963 when the Beatles first became known nationwide they were introduced wearing their “iconic colorless suits”.  Girls would go wild over the look of the four men. The only debate would be which one looked the best in their suits. The Beatles tight fitted suits with the velvet trim and longer hair styles known as the mop top soon became a fashion trend in the early 1960s. Many young teens would try to imitate their look. The younger generation loved the Beatles style; however the older generation was not as impressed. Many did not think that it was appropriate for men to have longer hair that would cover their ears. They felt that the tight fitted suits were a bit scandalous and showed off too much of their physical appearance. 

The women’s fashion in the 1960 was also a popular trend. Short miniskirts and colorful prints were very popular. In 1965 if you had the right body type you would wear a mini skirt or dress. In one of the exhibits the pink satin mini dress designed by Eric Plant for Darnell of London was a dress worn by Dusty Springfield. This dress was a very short pink dress. There was a lot of embroidering around her neck. Dusty Springfield wanted this so the attention would be put on her face. She got her wished and was seen as a fashion icon from many of her young female audience. Beading on clothing became very popular for young women. Women also wanted to have a sex appeal that would attract men. The average look of a young teenage girl in the 1960’s would be a mini skirt (6-7 inches above the knee) accompanied by a fun top with beading that would draw attention to their long straight hair and makeup and big high heels that would make their legs look long. Style trends change throughout time however females in the 1960’s and females today both want to look their best and try to attract their audience. 

  In the 1960’s the fashion world was introduced to a whole new trend when the Rolling Stones were introduced. The Rolling Stones became idols and they grew their hair long. They experienced with different fashion trends that no one else had tried. In the Rolling Stone’s exhibit the outfit’s worn by the guitarist Keith Richards were all very flashy and controversy to an older generation. In the exhibit it quotes him saying, “Fashion thinks more about me than I think about it, I just wore what I wore and people noticed”.  Many of the bands clothing were very loud. They got the attention of millions; they were looks that many could not pull off. They would wear bright very tight suits, frilly shirts, and colors that many were not yet introduced to. In the exhibit there was a jumpsuit designed by Ossie Clark and worn by Mick Jagger. His fashion when he dressed those such as Mick Jagger would be one “using sensuous fabric, figure hugging designs and plunging necklines”. The outfit in the exhibit was just this. Styles such as the Rolling Stone’s brought a sense of being unique and taking risks that was before not done. The Rolling Stones too many are the ultimate Rock and Roll band. Today they are still entertaining fans by their music and sense of fashion. 

                The British Musical Experienced really made my interest in music grow. I was introduced to bands and song writers that I never had heard of until now. I found this experience very informative. I learned not only about fashion of the different decades but I was able to see the culture influence that the stars had on their fans. Today fashion still is much a part of our culture. Many want to wear the latest trend of clothing. I think that musical stars are great people to be able to look up to and idolize.  In the 1960’s teens looked at the Beatles for fashion guidance, just as in the 1990’s young girls idolized the spice girls. “The little black dress” worn by Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) became a staple in young teens wardrobes. This experience opened my eyes and allowed me to have a greater experience in British music.