Much more than just clothes

Confronting the United States government was never easy. A group that succeed in doing it was the Beatnik or beat movement. It was a massive group of young pacifists that, in 1950, looked forward to leaving their obligations aside and have fun. They wanted to go to the road and free themselves. Always in favour of adventure. But I´m not going to bore anyone with a history class. What I´m going to give you is a fashion lecture.

The Beatnik was a movement that inspired many, including the Hippies and Hipsters. They were the first fashion nerds that marked style through peace and freedom.

This group achieved to create trends that are still being used and loved. And others that we think are our own creations but are really not.

• The beret

It is not only a French trend. It was imposed in fashion in the 1950s, in California, from the hand of a group of youngsters that fought against war and hard work, searching for the spirit and art freedom. The beret is one of the symbols that characterized both men and women.

• Glasses with a thick frame

Nowadays glasses are a trend related to hipsters, but long before they were born, glasses were already a mark of style, used for much more that allowing a better vision or protecting your eyes from the sun. The brand Infinit has a frame named “beatnik”.

• Bongos

They were a trend in men that was not only an instrument, but most importantly an accessory. They were wore as big sized necklaces.

• Turtleneck shirts

If you live in Argentina and want to follow the Beatnik trend, the brand Complot has a striped turtleneck shirt this season, called “pollera beatnik”.

A must in every girl´s closet is a tight and warm turtleneck. Thank you, Beatniks! Inside of turtlenecks, there is one that outshines: the black and white with horizontal stripes shirt. This shirt was used not only as a turtleneck shirt, but also as a t-shirt. Both turtlenecks and striped t-shirts were very significant in every Beatnik’s closet.

• Tight pants

Yes, it was them. This trend was worn not only by women, but by men too. For us, women, we can´t avoid having a tight jean. For some, its even all they have in their closets. For men it is different. Still today there are some that feel shame and avoid using them, but it is a trend being more and more imposed. However, it is not new, it has at least 70 years. And Beatnik men wore them with real pride.

We often wear or see things which origin we ignore, but it is important to know that everything has a beginning, and had a mayor meaning in a certain period of time. For example, tight jeans. In the 1950s they were much more than just pants. They represented a social claim from a group of people that rebel against the government looking for freedom, both physical and mental.

The Beatniks left a huge legacy, which is why it is important to never forget where our favourite pieces of clothing come from.

#Beatnik