Rockabilly style guide

Rockabilly, that was born in the 50’s, is not only one of the first rock and roll subgenres. This term, that comes from “rock and hillbilly” words contraction, makes reference to an iconic dressing style that never gets out of fashion. 

Mythical figures like Elvis, James Dean or Johnny Cash, were champions of rockabilly clothing, and probably contributed to this style’s popularization,  that also reflects a way of life. Black leather jackets, tailored trousers, black shirts with skulls, snip toe shoes, patches… Rockabilly clothing has inspired diverse trends since its beginings, and so continues nowadays.

Let’s make a brief review to this personal style origins and “must have” pieces that compose rockabilly’s attire and will find at Corbeto’s.  

A style to the sound of a music

All started by that country-western and rhythm and blues music successful coctail, so well represented by the mythical Bill Haley & His Comets  song “Rock Around the Clock” (1954). This song is one of the first and most genuine rockabilly songs, and paved the way to the following ones. 

Elvis Presley and  Johnny Cash were also their main precursors and not only for the music: Elvis was the living image of the rockabilly style in terms of clothing. The King of Rock used to pose with a classic suit blazer combined with elegant western boots, big size sunglasses and jeans. At the time, this attire represented rockabilly’s essence to the perfection, although it hasn’t varied too much nowadays.

Rockabilly dressing style main attraction is based on an accurate “mix”, as the musical genre that bears its name. As base, it uses classic and retro fashion elements, to later go incorporating modern pieces. Artistic tattoos, vintage classic clothing, or the Hollywoodian inspiration, also influence the rockabilly style, that, although has experienced some changes in the last 60 years, keeps being unique.

The most rockabilly essentials

A black leather jacket is, as of today, inseparable from any valued rockabilly. The style may vary, being classic cut, bomber or biker, but it must be made of black leather. And we have to wear it freely and carelessness like a second skin, forgetting that you are wearing it. 

The next essential are the perfect jeans. That means there is a very rockabilly detail that can’t be missing: the turn-up, an element that keeps current at present.

Completing the jeans it’s time for the rockabilly shirt. Our suggestion: a black shirt with embroidered red skulls on the shoulders. Or a denim shirt of western inspiration, like the one we have already mentioned, it’s also part of this style roots. In fact, it’s sure that at Corbeto’s will the perfect rockabilly shirt for you, because we have from classic styles to the most spectacular ones.

With regard to the rockabilly footwear, there are several options. One of them are the cowboy boots, those that Elvis immortalized in some of his attires. But also made it with low boots, preferably on  very shiny black leather and comfortable. And of course, the snip toe rocker shoes, unique and stylish, available at Corbeto’s Boots: pure rockabilly essence for not going unseen. 

Tattoos also have a prominent space in the rockabilly culture, although the actual ones have little to do with 50’s and 60’s designs. And a curious note: the tattoos that Elvis shown in some of his movies weren’t authentic and it seems like he hadn’t any.

Another detail to customize your rockabilly attire are the patches, and at Corbeto’s we offer you an amazing collection with many designs to choose from: diverse motives from Elvis, Stray Cats, words «Rocker» or «Rock’n Roll», the black rocker swallow, the red rockabilly swallow, poker playing cards, sugar skulls… and many more. 

At our store will also find bandanas, shirt’s collar tips, western ties, belt buckles and all the accessories you can imagine, for both the most daring and who starts now discovering this unique style, the rockabilly.