Thursday 30 January 2014

Fashion Topic of the day: The Teddy Girl - 'Judies'

Having spent many hours of my day listening to BBC Radio 2 'The people's songs', which is (if you are not aware) a series about the significance of music and song within the Modern history of Britain. After listening to a few of these fantastic episodes not only have I learnt a lot about the significance of music within the endless lists of sub cultural movements within our history but the significance of fashion is clearly unmissable within each episode.

I have learnt a lot about subcultures and fashion over the years as a sociologist and therefore I aim to make room to share my love of fashion and subculture with you guys.

Starting with 'Judies' - Female Teddy girls - after being inspired by BBC Radio 2's Episode 'Move It - The British Take on Rock n Roll.

So who are the 'Teddy Girls'?

Teddy girls grew out of the desire to reject post-war austerity which was expressed through their clothes, appearance and attitude.The girls were often school drop outs that came from working class backgrounds.They spent most of their free-time buying and making their own clothes.


What did they wear?

The dress code of the teddy girls much reflected that of the teddy boys. 'Teddy' fashion was inspired by 'dandies' of the Edwardian period.

Here is your very own Dandy: 

This Edwardian style was originally adopted by wealthy young men and post-war tailors attempted to reintroduce them on the market in the 1950's.The Teddy Boy/Girl style was not at all cheap to maintain, often tailor made and were costs were paid via weekly installments.But this was the first time these post war-torn youths were able to express themselves through dress as affluence began to increase.

So here is what they wore.....

* Drape Jackets *Pencil Skirts *Hobble Skirts *Long Plaits * Rolled Up Jeans *Flat shoes *Straw Boater hats *Coolie Hats *Espadrilles *Elegant Clutch Bag




Heres a few tips on how you can become your very own 'Judie' straight off the High Street or if you enjoy a good old bargain hunt,  root Ebay, Vintage shops and Carboots!

The Drape Jacket



1: Notch Neck Throw on Coat - Grey - £85.00

2: Wool Stripe Coat by Boutique - Navy - Topshop - £120.00


The Hobble/Pencil Skirt





1. ASOS Pencil Skirt with Flippy Hem - Red - £30.00

2. ASOS Wrap Pencil Skirt in Crepe - Pink - £32.00

3 New Look Bi-Stretch Tailored Pencil Skirt - Black - £12.99

The Hat:


1. ASOS Straw Boater Hat £15.00

The Shoes:




1. Black Canvas Espadrille Plimsolls – New Look – £7.99
2. ASOS Jessie Espadrille – £8.00
3. New Look Luna Black Patent Loafer Shoes – £17.99
AND TA DA BE YOUR VERY OWN JUDIE
bye bye for now x



Wednesday 22 January 2014

50s Style Cute Polka Dot Dress



19.99 GBP, by TheGrungeMonkey via Etsy http://ift.tt/1aM6XYL

90s Grunge Brown Leather Lace Up Ankle Boots



24.99 GBP, by TheGrungeMonkey via Etsy http://ift.tt/1jAUxsc

90s Black Leather Chelsea Boots



29.99 GBP, by TheGrungeMonkey via Etsy http://ift.tt/LVpL2e

90s Oriental Floral Print Mini Dress



19.99 GBP, by TheGrungeMonkey via Etsy http://ift.tt/1mtIlcn

Vintage Mod Blue Skinny Couduroy Trousers



18.00 GBP, by TheGrungeMonkey via Etsy http://ift.tt/1fcNFyB

Fashion Inspiration: 'The Home of the Rising Punk' - Patti Smith

Hi Guys

We have been very busy getting ready for our vintage fair next week and getting all new stock prepared for online. So after many of days working hard by the computer... (its not all that bad) I had the chance to catch up on a few documentaries in the process.

When i'm not trawling around looking for beautiful handpicked items to make available to you guys (my followers - amen and customers - amen) I like to talk and talk and talk about my fashion inspirations and of course it is important as the owner of The Grunge Monkey to let you guys know whom we are and what we are all about. Music and subculture is one of the many wonderful places i find my inspiration.

As i am a rather big fan of 'New York's outbreak of punk in the 70's I watched 'The House of the Rising Punk', its only short and sweet but its a little fun in the background...and i got to visualise on the screen my beloved Patti Smith. Along with many more of my Punk Icons, Debbie Harry, Nancy Spungen, Richard Hell and not forgetting the most influential punk band of all time,The Velvet Underground.

So lets talk fashion.

'New York' was not exactly the capital of Punk Fashion, London was but there is plenty of style to take away from these guys. Beginning with Patti Smith, the queen or king??? of Androgyny. Your daily Patti Smith look would be to throw on a T-shirt, pair of Jeans (cut holes in them, DON'T brush your hair (or today use backcombing to look like you haven't brushed your hair) and wear no shoes or socks with holes in. Easy? no only she can pull off this look so effortlessly so go grab a hair comb and a pair of scissors.
Or you could use your imagination and pop to a pop vintage shop.



Or you could try using a little inspiration from this....
or go naked....

That's all for now folks, stay close by for more style inspiration from our next Punk Icon - Debbie Harry.






Sunday 19 January 2014

CHECK OUT OUR REVIEW - Which Look Is It, Anyway?!: ASOS Marketplace Finds: The Grunge Monkey

Were very excited about this...

Which Look Is It, Anyway?!: ASOS Marketplace Finds: The Grunge Monkey: I love finding new sellers on ASOS Marketplace so I was ecstatic when I found The Grunge Monkey , a seller specialising in 90's grunge ...

Saturday 18 January 2014

Are we ready for the emergence of Club-kid style?






So Club Kid style seems to be creeping back into the scene…. its no wonder, the society we live in today (sorry had to stick in that cheesy old moan from a 25 year old 90′s kid – so cliché) anyhow less of the politics. yawn yawn.
I’m a Sociology graduate, so I am a youth subculture obsessed geek.
So the club-kid movement originated from New York City in the late 80s, early 90s, heavily induced by drugs…..STOP. Im not really going to bore you on the social historical development of this particular movement.
I just want to talk FASHION.
Basically, think Punk, Glam-rock, Clowns, Andy Warhol, Marilyn Manson or Marilyn Monroe (take your pick ladies or gents – mix it up) Lady Gaga… USE YOUR BODY TO SELF EXPRESS IN ANYWAY POSSIBLE and there you go you’ve got your very own pot of ‘CLUB-KID’.


Remember the TV Series ‘The Tribe’ – Post apocalyptic rebellious 90′s kids scraping their minimal resources for fashion from the debris that remained. Well yes they used the scraps they had scrummaged from the mall as there only means of individual self-expression.
Face Paint
Rags for clothes
Bindi’s (how they managed to find these in debris I don’t know)
Bright multi-colour hair-dye
Chains
Choker Necklaces
Lots of latex
Mad contact lenses
Tartan
Fur….

...you see whatever you can manage to find.
I love this trend - it allows you to just whatever the feck you want with your clothes and when you have a wardrobe like mine full of outrageous patterns that never match this style could be the answer.
Here is some of our Club-kid inspired pieces available at https://marketplace.asos.com/seller/thegrungemonkey

Now go embrace /// and take it to the PHATTEST party in town.


Check out Asos Marketplace’s Trend Guide for ‘Club- Kid' here: http://fashionfinder.asos.com/fashion-trends/womens-aw13/trend-guide/club-kid-832

Check out our own pinterest board dedicated to 'Club-Kid' style: http://www.pinterest.com/thegrungemonkey/club-kids/

Saturday hungover blues



Morning bloggers,  are you thinking about shopping today but too hungover to get out of bed!? Stay In bed and check out our winter range online, it's delicious



Thursday 16 January 2014

80's Leopard Print Skirt and Jacket Suit



34.99 GBP, by TheGrungeMonkey via Etsy http://ift.tt/1asI7gn

Springs coming...get ready for the seaside.

We are in love with Topshop's New 'Kiss Me Margate' collection. So go get inspired! http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/category/clothing-427/kiss-me-margate-2607733 and visit https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheGrungeMonkey to pick up your very own vintage '50's Seaside' inspired pieces! Full of Gingham, Denim and Pastel prints! 

Here is some of our collection...