ROCKABILLY WORKSHOP (Part I) Official Thread! Here we go!

Deb, you mean Rebel Without a Cause? ;)

I do know a couple of hardcore James Dean fans - they're almost hardcore into him in a kitschy sort of way.

I almost think that James Dean was more of an inspiration to Teddy Boys than Rockabillies with the whole tortured working class youth turned bad boy thing. The dishevelled pomp thing was sort of his style, just like the teds, as far as I can see. As for fashion, I'm not sure how much he influenced the rockabilly mindset - though he did make an unzipped jacket and t-shirt look mighty good, and that is always a good standby for any RAB guy!

-Melanie
 
Ah, hair! Great question, Angela!

Lots of hair accessories - but the most important of all - bobby pins. Tons and tons of bobby pins!

Most RAB girls these days buy new hair accessories - it's just a sad fact that hair accessories don't stand up as well over time as clothes do. Online shops like Daddyos have plenty of hair accessories, the most popular of which is the ubiquitous flower clip. This is another example of how hawaiian style has crept into the rest of the rockabilly fashion world (I know, hawaiian wasn't my topic, but I couldn't escape it!)


Nocturne and other websites have excellent instructions available for hairdos - but most gals I know have sat in front of mirrors figuring out fun hairstyles by trial and error. With bobby pins and aquanet, anything's possible!

For guys, this is all they need to know:

Royalcrown.jpg

But they will *still* spend three times as long in front of a mirror getting ready before going out, to make sure their Royal Crown is just *so*. The Queer Eye guys would be so proud!

-Melanie
 
So Melanie....are the western rockabillies offended if they get confused with country western folks because of their predisposition towards westernwear?

And what does the Western Rockabilly gal do with her hair that differs from the Psyhcobetties we will be talking about later in the week? So they like tresses like Tanya Tucker and Dolly Parton or are they into the 40s hair too? Or do they do the Dale Evans thing?




[size=-2]And if I may add a tiny plug in here...[/
PSSST... (WHISPERING)[/size]

[size=-2]Hey guys...speaking of denim. Today Melanie is touching upon how denim relates to RAB, but in the future....APRIL..she will be presenting a WHOLE workshop just on Vintage Denim so stay tuned!! And pass it on :)

I told you this was TINY[/size]
 
Wow, this is amazing. Very interesting stuff Melanie - thank you so much. And I just saw the calendar of all the stuff completing the week - it's truly outstanding! I'll be checking in as much as I can to read up!
 
Chris, it usually isn't an issue for RAB types to be confused with other western types - and it *never* is in Austin. That's part of what I love about this town. You can have rockabilly types sitting right next to top-40-fan-country-line-dancers at the Broken Spoke, and everyone gets along well. This town is friendlier than most. In my experience, there *are* areas with the stuck-up rockabilly scenes (and nooooooo, I won't get into where - but probably not where you'd expect!) - where if you aren't dancing just this way, or wearing just this authentic clothing every time you step out the door, you're considered a poser. In my estimation, if one takes the rockabilly thing too seriously, they're missing the point completely! Here in Austin, for example, it doesn't matter how RAB you are - you two-step when appropriate. There are other dances than east or west coast swing! I've heard stories of hard core Austin rockabilly types visiting other cities' scenes and being ridiculed for two-stepping or actually dancing a polka to a polka! It's sort of funny - because you can bet your booty that back in the day, girls weren't lindy hopping to Hank Williams waltzes. But hey, polkas and waltzes aren't "supposed" to be cool. Aerials - and kicking someone in the face in a crowded club while wearing platforms - are cool, right?

Deep breath for me - back to impartial stuff! I just feel like while it's fun to dress up - the "look at me, look at me" mentality associated with some rockabilly scenes defeats the purpose of the fun.

Just to clear up the "western rockabilly" vs any other sub-genre rockabilly types - most aren't really *just* into western wear or *just* into hawaiian wear. Everyone has their favorite clothes that they feel most comfortable in, but there is no real division between the subgroups at all. Mixing it all up is the name of the game :D

As for the hairdos for the different subgroups - the only real difference between rockabilly and psychobilly hair and makeup is that psychobilly tends to be more over the top, whereas rockabilly tends to be softer - more like Dale Evans, as you mentioned. Then there's always the pigtails option that goes well with gingham or bandana prints - or even just a baby tee featuring your favorite band. But again, there are degrees, and mixing it up is all part of the fun. Sometimes it's fun to go over the top and wear bright lipstick and exagerate the hair - my friend Lisa, the one who owned the shop in the fashion show video (the one with the long black hair), was always known for taking everything a bit further in her fashion sense. She is always just as comfortable dripping with bakelite jewelry and a Turk suit, with tons of makeup on as she was in jeans, a straw cowboy hat, a wifebeater and just lipstick. You may have noticed that in the fashion show, she liked to pair up showing vintage undergarments off with her fanciest western tailored ladies suits.

This is what I find exciting about rockabilly fashion. It's constantly in a state of change, and you're not married to just one style. Anyone who worries that they might not be rockabilly enough should just check out this town. Individuality more than welcome here!

-Melanie
 
LOL! I do have to admit that when I first moved here and bought a tv, I was starstruck when Sean Mencher went with me to Sam's Club to help me get my tv in my car. All of a sudden all of my favorite musicians were my friends! I love this town.

-Melanie
 
Nice job.
Newbie here, by the way.
I must say, Austin DOES rock ( I THOUGHT I recognized some faces in that video!). Contimplated moving there from San Antonio.
 
Thanks for clarifying that Melanie!

I will see your friend in the video tomorrow when I can get my computer in order to be able to view.

And VintageCurves...small world! (or everyone knows everybody in the world of RAB) hee hee.
 
Wonderful job, Melanie! So nice to see all those familiar Austin faces.

The discussion about western and Hawaiian influences reminds me of one of my favorite items in my own collection. It's a 50s squaw skirt made of hot pink floral print Shaheen fabric. It's covered with black velvet, gold and brocade rick rack and has a huge sweep. Sorry for the one crummy crinolene-free photo, but right now I can't get to it in the closet and this is the only pic I have. This is in the category of items I love so much, I'll never sell them!

<img src="http://home.grandecom.net/~cosmiccowgirl/ebay/SQUAW.JPG"><BR>

And then there's this hand painted Mexican circle skirt with matching wrap. The print is very tropical and the flowers nearly look like hibiscuses:

<img src="http://home.grandecom.net/~cosmiccowgirl/ebay/2051ms3.jpg"><BR>
<img src="http://home.grandecom.net/~cosmiccowgirl/ebay/2051ms1.jpg"><BR>
<img src="http://home.grandecom.net/~cosmiccowgirl/ebay/2051ms4.jpg"><BR>
<img src="http://home.grandecom.net/~cosmiccowgirl/ebay/2051ms5.jpg"><BR>

And a blatant plug --- I'll be auctioning that one on ebay next week.
 
What Great information! Totally interesting, so from what I am gathering there is a western mexican influence as well...is that correct?
 
I can't wait for the rest, either. Thanks, Melanie!

I'm GLEEFUL to have the hairstyle website! Yes! Instructions for pin curls and finger waves!

Welcome, vintagecurves! I'm a former Austinite who also thinks Austin ROCKS! ...next goal: finding the cultural equivalent of Austin in a cooler part of the U.S. or Canada. San Antonio is a pretty swell city, too.
 
That was great. The problem is the more you learn, the more you appreciate, the more you buy! Thanks.
 
Melanie, just now got a chance to watch your video! Wonderful!!

Thank you so much for this Part I RAB workshop, it was so informative, great links, I loved it!

Now - on to check out Part II!

Sue
 
Hi Melanie!

Did I forget to post and tell you just how much I loved this workshop??

Shame, shame, shame on me!!:BAGUSE:

It's outstanding young lady!!

I'm glad you mentioned the book Hillbilly Hollywood. I have it too and I just love it. I frequently pull it out just to gaze at the beautiful colletion of vintage western shirts owned by Marty Stuart. That man is going to have to open up a museum!! I wonder if it was him that snagged up the 1970s Nudie suit that was custom made for Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones. It was auctioned on eBay a while back and I think the final price was $7,700.00 - I thought kinda cheap considering who it was made by and who it was made for!! (Of course, not cheap enough for my pocketbook!!)

In case you haven't seen it yet, there is a brand new book out about vintage western shirts. It was just published in November 2004. I didn't care about the $40 price tag, I had to have it. A very good decision and purchase indeed!! It's freakin' awesome, probably one of THE BEST and most comprehensive books on the subject!!

Western Shirts: A Classic American Fashion, by Steven E. Weil and Daniel DeWeese (of the Rockmount family!!)
western_shirts_book.jpg

ISBN: 1586852485 Publisher: Gibbs Smith Publishers Subject: Fashion Subject: Americana Publication Date: November 2004 Binding: Hardcover Language: English Illustrations: Y Pages: 176 Dimensions: 1100x1400

Synopses & Reviews (from Powells.com)

Publisher Comments:
No longer found only on the backs of ol' cow hands from the Rio Grande, or in closets that have been undisturbed for the last sixty years, cowboy shirts are now highly collectible-treasured pieces of Western Americana. But what distinguishes one from the other? Cowboy Shirts is the resource on understanding the history behind these uniquely American pieces of art, and on what to look for in collecting them, because while fashion trends may come and go, quality design and construction are always recognizable. The book contains a complete list of cowboy shirt labels (over 250 of them!) to help you identify the manufacturer and date of your finds, and Rowdy, rhinestoned, saucy, sturdy, colorful, or plain-Cowboy Shirts will make you want to kick up your spurs in Western delight as you follow them from practical wear, to costume, to fashion, to art. G. Daniel DeWeese was raised in South Dakota where his parents owned and operated a ranch near the Black Hills. Dan studied creative writing at the University of South Dakota before going to West Africa with the Peace Corps as an irrigation specialist for agricultural development programs. He helped launch and manage an agricultural-development company in Saudi Arabia. Dan has worn Western shirts, hats and boots all his life, around the world. He lives with his wife, Julie, and their overgrown Airedale in Minnesota. Steve Weil has Western wear in his genes: he is the third generation to run his family's firm, Rockmount Ranch Wear Mfg. Co. Steve's first foray in the rag trade was in 1958 as an infant model in a Western industry fashion show. His love for vintage Western wear began in high school when he raided his grandfather's closet for shirtsfrom the 40's. Today he heads the company and is responsible for all design of the brand's many lines. Steve lives in Denver with his wife Wendy and son Colter.

Synopsis:
With chapter on:
- The History of Western Shirts
- Vintage Shirts as Collectables
- Design Elements of Western Shirts
- The Manufacturers (including Miller Western Wear, Rockmount Ranch Wear Mfg. Co., H Bar C, Levi Strauss & Co., Karman Inc.)
- Importance of Labels in Dating Vintage Shirts
- Sources of Vintage Western Shirts

Synopsis:
Table of Contents (unedited!) I. Preface II. Introduction III. Part 1 - The Shirt - Chapter 1 The History of Western Shirts - Chapter 2 Vintage Shirts as Collectables - 5 Interviews with Collectors - Chapter 3 Design Elements of Western Shirts IV. Part 2 - The Manufacturers - Chapter 4 Miller Western Wear - Chapter 5 Rockmount Ranch Wear Mfg. Co. - Chapter 6 H Bar C - Chapter 7 Levi Strauss & Co. - Chapter 8 Karman Inc. - Chapter 9 Westmoor Inc. - Chapter 10 Significant others: Blue Bell, Pendleton V. Part 3 - The Labels - Chapter 11 - Importance of Labels in Dating Vintage Shirts - Label Index and Historical Guide VI. Part 4 - Appendix - Acknowledgments - Sources of Vintage Western Shirts - Bibliography
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Yes, you read that right! The book does indeed have over 250 label photos. I can't believe I ever got by without it!!!!!!

Thanks again Mel!!

~Maureen
 
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