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Suedehead

The Suedehead subculture was an early-1970s offshoot of the skinhead subculture in the United Kingdom. Although sharing many similarities to 1960s skinheads, suedeheads grew their hair longer and dressed in a more formal manner.^[1] ^[2] Although working class, like the skinheads who preceded them, some suedeheads worked in white collar jobs. The female equivalent of a suedehead was a sort.

In terms of footwear, Suedeheads generally wore brogues, loafers or basketweave Norwegians instead of the heavy boots associated with skinheads. Suedeheads started wearing suits (especially in check patterns such as Prince of Wales and dogtooth), as well as other dressy outfits, as everyday wear instead of just at dancehalls at night. Crombie-style overcoats and sheepskin coats became more common amongst suedeheads. The shirts favoured by suedeheads often had large button-down collars. The most common shirt style was a large windowpane check pattern worn under a tank top (known as a sweater vest in North America). Sta-Prest trousers became worn more than jeans, which had been common with skinheads. Another unique characteristic of suedehead style was the wearing of coloured socks — such as solid red or blue — instead of plain black or white.^[2]

Musically, suedeheads shared the skinheads' interest in reggae, soul music and ska, but the sound had evolved to become slower and more soulful.^[2]^[3] Some suedeheads also listened to British glam rock bands, such as The Sweet, Slade and Mott the Hoople.^[2]^[4]

Suedeheads were portrayed in the east end London-based film Bronco Bullfrog and the Richard Allen novel Suedehead.^[5]^[6]^[3] In 1977 and 1978, a suedehead revival developed following the 1977 skinhead revival. This originated with a small number of individuals such as Hoxton Tom McCourt, who also became involved with the mod revival of late 1978 and early 1979. Morrissey released a single called "Suedehead" in 1988, although the song lyrics have nothing to do with the suedehead subculture.

November 11, 2009

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