How To Do Street Style Punk

There is something really edgy about the combination of tartan, leather boots and liberal use of eye makeup that always screams punk. Add a leather biker jacket and a plaid skirt or dress to the mix and you can cultivate a stylish but modern street style punk look for 2018.  I’m a huge fan of the Neo Victoriana or Goth punk look myself and make a statement by wearing a hint of black lace with a biker jacket and ripped jeans when I go out. I’ve definitely been inspired by watching the addictive TV series, Penny Dreadful. Punk is officially back, but in a more voguish look and with max vengeance!

Catwalk Trends

For A/W 2017, innovative designer Junya Watanabe showed a funky mix of tartan and leopard print worn with fishnet tights and heavy, leather lace-up boots at the Ready-To-Wear collection at Paris Fashion Week. The combination of colours and fabrics here creates a very edgy but classic punk look.

One of my all time favourite fashion houses is Balmain. I adore their edgy, modern and sexy designs and their signature black and white. The Spring/Summer 2018 Ready-To-Wear collection features a very ladylike, wearable and paired down version of the modern punk look with black faux leather skirts, dresses and trousers teamed with black and white printed tees. Complete the look with the obligatory leather biker jacket and a pair of strappy heels and you’re good to go!

First Lady Of Punk Rock

I can’t talk about the evolution of punk rock fashion without paying homage to Vivienne Westwood. Her iconic angry fashions with their safety pins, razor blades, dog collars, and chains spoke to an entire generation of alienated kids in Britain.

Malcolm McLaren was a major force behind the punk sound that emerged from London in the mid 1970’s.  It was his partner Vivienne Westwood who actually created and sewed the looks that The Sex Pistols wore. By studying the fashions of London’s seedier occupants like bikers and sex workers, Westwood and McLaren conceptualized the new deconstructionist fashion phenomenon known as the “punk look”. Punk rock fashion was born.

Styling the Punk Rock Look in 2018

Maybe you don’t want to look like you are on your way to a Green Day concert but you can create an effortlessly stylish but paired down and modern version of the goth punk rock look this Spring/Summer. Take a staple such as a leather biker jacket, combine it with a skeleton print tee-shirt, asymmetrical black skirt and black suede ankle boots. Complete this simple look with a black leather handbag and statement scarf for a ‘hint’ of punk attitude!

You can accessorise this outfit with black skull or cross pendants worn on long chains around your neck, black leather wrist cuffs, studded bags and long gloves as well a statement tartan scarf or beret. The key is to keep the look simple yet edgy.

Key Buys To Create a Goth Punk Look

First start with a classic leather biker jacket and team it with a high neck black lace top from Zara for €39.95 and black ripped skinny jeans by BooHoo.com for €30 and accessorise with Edita black studded ankle boots for €49. You can add a pair of wrap around black shades and a dainty silver cross pendant necklace by Fruugo for €27.75 to complete the look.

Be bold and daring this Spring/Summer and create your own individual, edgy punk style with a flash of tartan and black leather. Punk rock fashion is alive and well in 2018!