2. CONVENTIONS OF
COSTUME
As pop punk comprises of elements of both the pop genre and
the punk rock genre, the costumes and makeup worn by the
artists in music videos hold similarities to that of both types of
music. The punk rock subculture, which rose to popularity in the
1970s, can be perceived as almost as much of a fashion
statement as the anarchic rebellion that they aimed to achieve
amongst young adults through their music. Distinctive aspects
of the punk rock style usually remain in the costumes worn by
pop punk artists that often result in an overall dishevelled
appearance, including ripped jeans. Piercing are also
commonplace withing the genre, with nose and lip piercings
being very common and stretched ears becoming more
common in recent years. This is to signify the carefree, youthful
attitude that the upbeat music and in fact the artists themselves
hold. A connotation of rebellion is also brought with the
costume worn by pop punk artists that keep in line with the
rejection of authority demonstrated in songs such as “Fatlip” by
the renowned pop punk band Sum 41.
3. YOUTH AND GENDER
As the artists and the demographic of their music consist predominantly of adolescents
and young adults, the style of clothing and accessories tend to be casual, with jeans,
tshirts and trainers such as skate shoes or converses being a staple. Similarities of this
theme of youth can be observed throughout much pop music as well, which can be
heard in the punchy beats of pop punk. The casual costume is also due to the energetic
nature of the music which requires plenty of movement during performances at gigs
and the carefree attitude of the musicians. In line with the theme of youth is often the
hairstyles worn by musicians, which are often untidy and can be dyed bright colours
such as the trademark orange colour that Hayley Williams is known for.
The casual clothing of jeans and tshirts is even true of female artists, who have become
more common in recent years with examples being Hayley Williams of Paramore, Tay
Jardine of We We Are The In Crowd and Jenna McDougall of Tonight Alive. Though
women have become more frequently seen playing in these bands, the proportion of
male musicians still remains far higher.
These women wear minimal makeup because aesthetics are seen to an extent as rather
unimportant within pop punk, with the music and community it brings amongst the
young listeners being the main focus. It is also practical during performances because
due to the high energy of performances, makeup is likely to run due to sweat. Hair is
also often usually untidy and remains fairly unstyed, for this would be difficult to
maintain during a long, exhausting tour. This very much goes against the stereotype of
women being ladylike or the requirement of sexualisation within the pop industry.
4. NINETIES FASHIONS
Though the themes of youth, rebellion and fun still remain in
the costumes, fashions within pop punk do progress through
the decades, just like an other genre. This is largely due to
the interest in fashion that those of the 16-34 demographic
tend to hold, as well as the fresh nature of the genre. For
example, early pop punk bands such as Blink 182 and The
Offspring would wear baggy jeans and shorts for the majority
of the time because this was the fashion amongst young
people and skaters at the time. Hairstyles were often spiked
with hair gel; this could be seen on Deryck Whibley of Sum
41and on the mohawk of Travis Barker of Blink 182.
When the popularity of the genre increased significantly in
the mid nineties with bands such as Blink 182 and New
Found Glory, this style remained with just a few changes
here and there.
5. EARLY – MID NOUGHTIES
FASHIONS
Though similarities remain, the style of pop punk clothing
has experienced significant progression since from the early
2000s until present day. One notable trend that emerged
during the mid 2000s was that of “Emo Pop” worn by newer
bands such as Fall Out Boy and Panic at the Disco, of whom
wore tight skinny jeans, eyeliner and the distinctive long dark
hairstyles that became popular amongst adolescents and are
often still seen now. Black was livened up with bright colours
such as reds and purples and patterns such as tartan and
skulls emerged. From the late noughties, this trend has
become less frequent, however skinny jeans remain a staple
part of most pop punk artists’ wardrobes as well as the long
straightened hair that is still worn by artists in “poppier”
bands such as All Time low.
6. CURRENT FASHIONS
Current pop punk fashion is rather recognisable and differs from earlier fashions. Still
remaining is the trend of skinny jeans and brands such as Vans, however the
emergence of new styles such as t shirts cut into tank tops and prints such as
camouflage and tie dye is fairly new, with these being used in merchandise as well as
being worn by musicians and fans. Hair styles have also evolved, getting shorter
recently with accessories such as snapback hats becoming more popular.
Styles of merchandise has also changed, with popular prints being utilised and new
images and fonts being used. For example, merchandise often now includes images of
the band performing live or adaptations of existing characters and brands to relate to
the band, such as Neck Deep’s popular Taco Bell and MTV related items, which entice
the fans with their relatability and fun. Varsity fonts are now commonly used for they are
associated with high schools so connote youth and address the Americanisation of
much of the genre, which started out in the USA. Lyrics and slogans such as Man
Overboard’s “Defend Pop Punk” are also often printed on merchandise. As record sales
account for less of the musicians’ takings, sales of merchandise is relied upon more
heavily so it is important that the styles of these constantly change to keep up with
fashion so that people are persuaded to buy and wear it; it is also an effective way to
advertise because people actually pay to wear the band’s logo in public. Musicians also
often promote other bands that they listen to or play alongside at shows and festivals
by wearing their merchandise whilst performing.
Current pop punk bands that can be seen wearing these fashions include Man
Overboard, The Wonder Years, Real Friends, Major League and The Story So Far.
7.
8. BRANDS WITHIN POP
PUNK
The significance of popular brands in pop punk is an ever growing aspect of pop punk
that beccame more frequent in the mid nineties and early 2000s. These fashion labels
would often sponsor bands, as the skate brand Atticus did with Blink 182. This still
happens today with collaborations between current pop punk artists such Alex
Gaskarth and Jack Barakat of All Time low and the popular alternative brand of Glamour
Kills and their respective clothing lines “A.W.G” and “Jagk”. Even the band’s bass
player Zack Merrick now runs a clothing line, demonstrating the growing importance of
fashion within the pop punk community. Other clothing brands associated with the
genre include Vans, Drop Dead Clothing, and Converse.
Other brands involved within the pop punk industry are those affiliated with the lifestyle
of the listeners; these are often sponsors of stages at music events at which the bands
play. These rang from smaller festivals such as Slam Dunk Festival and Hit The Deck
Festival to larger national festivals such as Reading Festival and Download. These
brands may be for alcoholic drinks such as Jaegermeister or energy drinks such as
Monster Energy that were present at multiple festivals this year as well as Vans, which
is associated with the hobby of skateboarding, which is popular amongst the young
listeners of pop punk. These brands will have their logos printed on promotions such as
posters and on print as well as on the internet and television, as well as being visible in
the stage décor and around the venue. Brands may also promote themselves at these
events by handing out free products such as shots and may sell merchandise in stalls.
This collaboration is beneficial to all because brands are promoted whilst money is fed
back into the music industry via the fees paid to sponsor events and artists.
