MEMORIES:
The anti-establishment punk movement at the time was at odds with the crop of new fashion-conscious teens, who preferred a style a bit more dressy than their combat boot-laden counterparts. The traditionalists in the punk movement began calling themselves “hard punk” and distanced themselves from such extravagant styles as those being sporting by such up-and-comers as George O’Dowd (who you might remember as simply Boy George) and singer Steve Strange from Visage, who were mixing a heavy dose of glamour in with their own brand of angst.
But while the elements of punk were still evident in the new-wave styles that were sweeping dance clubs both in America and abroad, the new romantics tended to discard the punk portion, in favor of leather mixing with scarves, pearls mixed with zippers, and lace jabots atop silk shirts. Soft cowl necks were accentuated by asymmetrical collars, brooches were placed upon leather dresses. It was a melding of old and new in a way that was fantastical and glamorous. Bands that embraced this new look included Duran Duran, Missing Persons and Adam and the Ants.
Of course clothing fashions weren’t enough; there were plenty of fantastical hairstyles and makeup to accompany this eye-catching wardrobe. From rainbow-esque eyes and blush painted across the face in streaks, to gravity defying hair in an array of unnatural colors that often fell well over the eyes or was molded into obscure shapes, the head was a canvas adorned with experimental artwork that further personified the look.
The style eventually softened a little, as can be witnesses in films such as Pretty in Pink, where bolo ties and creepers accentuated sharkskin suits, and pink lace melded with Victorian floral patterns. But these stylistic offerings all owed a tip of the hat to the new romantic movement and the bands that helped thrust the look into the forefront of fashion.
