My final conclusion for the Punk trend is that it will carry over into Spring 2014 but it won't be nearly as prominent as it was for Fall 2013 because of the heavier fabric and darker colors. I do think that Punk inspired accessories will carry over into spring because they are such small finishing pieces to an outfit. I still believe that Punk will never fully carry over into the downtown Athens stores. I think celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Rihanna will continue to wear the trend regardless of season. Punk also did make somewhat of an appearance in the Mercedes Benz Fashion week this fall so I believe it will continue in later years. I also see the trend remaining dominant in larger cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Punk will most definitely remain prominent in youth. I still believe Punk is in the innovation stage and I am not sure when it will reach the mass acceptance stage.
 One of the main benefits of Punk fashion is that it sets you apart from society. Punk allows you to be an individual and is so versatile that you can make it your own. The smallest details can make any outfit Punk. Adding a safety pin or some studs to a jacket, wearing a spiked necklace, layering with a plaid flannel, or adding combat boots or converse to your look. Punk can be extremely subtle but also extremely loud at the same time. Adding a small punk accessory won't make your outfit scream, but it will give it that edge that makes your look that much better. Athens for example, is such a college town and Punk hasn't taken off in full force, but it's a perfect place to help set the trend. When I see a girl that isn't walking around campus with gym clothes on, I immediately have respect for her. Adding that edge to your outfit can easily make the same effect. Any female student I see walking around Athens that has any sort of Punk trend on, I instantly envy her and wish I could pull off the same look. Punk can set anyone apart from the crowd and that's the greatest part about it.
During my search for Punk trends in downtown Athens, I seemed to mostly only find leather pieces that could be considered punk. There were few accessories or even small punk detailing. It was almost entirely leather. I did find a couple shoes at Fab'rik that had studs and chunky metal. American Threads seemed to have the most Punk inspired clothing. Community also had some great pieces that weren't leather. When I went to the Athens Mall there wasn't a single window display featuring Punk fashion. Nor did I see any of the Punk trends in their stores. The Athens Mall is rather small so it did not surprise me when I didn't find what I was looking for. Overall I do not think Athens is the place to go if you're looking for Punk trends. Although Punk trends do feature bright colors occasionally, darker reds, purples, greens, and black are the main colors for Punk. The Punk attitude is very dark and intimidating so darker colors really display that attitude. Yellow is also a major player in Punk surprisingly. Jeremy Scott had a bright yellow graphic sweatshirt in his Fall 2013 collection which is shown in my Fall 2013 RTW post. Red is also a major player, tartan skirts are making a huge comeback this year.  Marie Claire - Punk fashion for Fall 2013 and what they think are the best pieces to own
Vogue - Punk Fashion that is featured in Vogue NY Magazine - what Punk means now and what it meant back then Huffington Post - covers what you missed at the 2013 Met Gala NY Times - creation of the 2013 Met Gala NY Times - poll on modern Punk Style.com - Vivianne Westwood on Punk Harper's Bazaar - Punk is one of Harper's Bazaar's Fall 2013 trends Afropunk Blog - the Steampunk Sub-Culture Punk.Rock.Chic Blog - styling tips on Punk accessories Fashionising.com - the return of Punk and how to dress Punk now Nine West Tumblr - Nine West's top nine Punk fashion moments Miley Cyrus is one of the biggest influencers of punk in our day and age. She never seizes to amaze us with her outfits on and off the red carpet. She was even featured in Mr. Blasberg's Best-Dressed List in Harper's Bazaar's December issue.        If you are looking for the latest punk trends then look no further than the retailers on your left. I am a big fan of the Punk trend and I spent a lot of time finding these great sites. They are all reasonably affordable and are always updated with the latest trend. When I went to look at major retailers like Nordstrom they only featured the subtle side of punk. They had an abundance of leather and small studs on purses but nothing over the top. Consumers loved the clothing but mainly complained about price and shipping. Here are the Nasty Gal reviews I read. Below are some pieces you can get from each site listed. Punk started in London in the 1970s. The initial idea of punk in the 70s was that it was a revolt from mainstream music. Basic punk trends in the 70s included offensive t-shirts, ripped jeans, leather jackets, customized blazers, controversial images, fishnet stockings, spiked jewelry, safety pins and much more. Dyed cropped messy hair was a staple for punk in the 70s. (Harris, 29 Things You Didn't Know About Punk Style)       The 1980s is when Punk was exemplified by bands such as Black Flag, Minor Threat, and Fear. New trends in the 80s emerged such as Dr. Martens, combat boots, bandanas, bleached jeans, tartan kilts, studded belts, plaid flannel shirts, denim vests, etc. Hairstyles in the 1980s included shaved, spike, or mohawk hair that was either bleached or dyed a bright color. (Harris, 29 Things You Didn't Know About Punk Style) Present day punk hasn't changed much in the past four decades. The only changes are that the hairstyles have toned down and it's turned more into street grunge. Punk is also focused more on accessories. Some punk trends today are studded leather and denim jackets/vests, plaid flannel shirts, bleached cutoff shorts, combat boots, Dr. Martens, graphic tees, tartan skirts and pants., and Jeffery Campbell platforms. Punk is still in the innovation stages.        What is your opinion on the punk trend and do you think it's prominent in Athens?
“I like it but I also prefer soft grunge. I think it’s semi prominent in Athens. Some people try to pull it off.” - Allie Duke “I don’t like it and I think it sends an immature image. I don’t think tattoos send that image though because they are artistic. And I think it’s prominent in Athens” - Alex Iscaro "I was into a few years ago but there is definitely a resurgence now. I think it exists in Athens because it is a city that is influenced by its music scene. " - Lindy Menefee "I don't particularly like the trend but I do see a few people in Athens try to pull it off. I don't see it featured in the downtown Athens shopping center." - Emily Potts, student at SLC "Punk is not my personal style but I do think certain people can really pull off the look without looking like a anarchist. I see punk trends more in cities like Atlanta not Athens." - Taylor Farr, student at SLC "I personally like how the punk trend is laid back and easy to pull off but at the same times it still looks chic. Heery's has just started carrying more of Rebecca Taylor's fall and winter collection and I would say it is definitely geared more toward the punk look. The store is definitely starting to carry more darker leathers and colors." - Morgan Salmon, Heery's Sales Associate |
