If we talk about rockabilly style come to our mind classic convertible cars, quiff hairstyles with vaseline and sideburns, leather jackets and jeans, girls that mix a look between femme fatale and pin-up, diamonds, skulls, hearts, red, white and black colors, tattoos, dance floors and much, much fun.
It’s obvious that isn’t a newborn style. Seeing the rockabilly clothing, all has an old school look, 50’s decade style. Maybe searching a little bit in the history we find the origin for a style that is more a way of life than a common denominator for another urban tribe.
Exploring in the history: rockabilly’s birth
Before the style it was the music. The rockabilly was born like one of the first rock and roll subgenres during 50’s decade. In fact, the word rockabilly gives us some signs about its origin. Is a contraction of the words rock and hilbilly. The hillbilly music was a sort of folk specially rude very popular during 40’s and 50’s in the Appalachia region. It also was indeed a pejorative way to refer the highlanders.
The rockabilly, in addition to receive influences from western swing, rhythm & blues, boogie woogie or doo wop, it had a clear hillbilly influence. And was totally dissociated from rock and roll with its own sound that was fully identified with the new greaser teen culture, that subculture of working class organized in bands from United States South and East coast and that won’t take long to become a synonym of rebellion.
The rockabilly had its own sound, of a great density due to the constant sound of instruments and the profuse use of echo. Because that was what greasers wanted, make noise. And their letters were about their interests, live the moment, dances, sensuality, sexuality and liberate themselves from the problems that money creates, the responsibilities, worries, parties and romances, seen from a much wordly and realistic point of view than other generes gave.
This way, during the 50’s, rock and roll evolved, acquiring more speed and fury. Rockabilly had been born.
Rockabilly style origin
The greasers were the most fervent rockabilly supporters at its beginnings. And were them who set the trend. Their look didn’t depend about fashion, they just weared what had on hand.
The word greaser comes precisely from one of their main characteristics. The use of hair gel products. Any element was possible: brilliantine, wax, polish, oil or even mineral oil. Anythin
g to molt the hair in different styles, like the elephant trunk, slick back, jelly roll, flop, or the famous quiff, but all of them with the typical look on the back, popularly known as «ducktail».
And were the ones that popilarized what later on would be the typical rockabilly clothing attire: blue jeans (rolled-up a few inches), rolled-up sleeves shirts (always inside the trousers), engineer and biker boots, bandanas, chain wallets, black leather vests, belts with big buckles and all kind of rockabilly accessories: suspenders, patches, studs, comb at the pocket, etc. . This kind of clothing was what greasers found and was comfortable for their car and motorcycle races.
Accidentally, the american greasers had created a style that in short time, spread around the world and would become timeless.
Your rockabilly style at Corbeto’s Boots
At Corbeto’s Boots will find all the necessary to complete your most daring rockabilly look. Whether you come by our store at Barcelona’s Las Ramblas, or visit our online shop will have available a wide catalog of products. We have the rockabilly clothing that were looking for, from the most classical shirts to the most extreme, to dazzle on the dance floor. And all the rockabilly accessories that could imagine: patches, bandanas, metal collar tips, western ties, belt buckles, and much more.
Image fonts: Cultura Colectiva, Rebel Circus
Women Stars & Stripes red short-sleeved shirt with black embroidery
Welcome to Fabulous Rockabilly City neon sign embroidered patch
Mens rockabilly style Sendra red and black snip toe shoes
Western silver metal collar tips with engraved filigrees
Black western tie
