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What to Wear for the Beatnik Style?

The Beatnik style is a cultural movement defined by northern European intellectuals in the 1950s. The symbolism of this fashion is centered on the idea that artists and writers should live simple lives without material wealth but with their mental freedom preserved.

Apart from their love for jazz music, these European intellectuals were also very fashionable in the early 1950s and ’60s. You might think about the Beatles, James Dean, The Who, Andy Warhol, and Bob Dylan.

In 1957, this type of clothing was popularized by a literary movement in America. It consisted of isolated, creative people that appreciated art and literature. This was especially true for writers, musicians, and other artists.

The Beatniks often lived in poverty and artistically decorated their surroundings with various objects to make things personal for themselves.

About the Beat Generation

After the Great Depression and World War II, the age of conformity became popular in the US in the early 1950s. This was when people lived conservative lives from how people dressed and ate their food. The men’s fashion typically consisted of a cardigan sweater or neutral colors over a button-down shirt.

During the post-war era, many people began to reject the idea of living an unexciting life which led to radical shifts in music, art, and writing. Some of the well-known anti-conformist groups at that time were The Beatles and Peter Sellers.

Beatnik described the people who were part of the Beat generation. This represents people who want to express their creativity and freedom, and this is expressed in their fashion. They are rebellious yet simplistic, and this is why they were so appealing.

The ones that you can see on sites like Aura became very popular and timeless. If you want to incorporate this look, remember that you need to look effortless but sleek.

The Beatnik style is seen as a rebellious counterculture movement. The Beats were a generation of American writers who opposed conformity and embraced individualism.

This movement was started in America’s major urban metropolises like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. Many beats favored rebellion because they believed that society was doomed to repeat the same patterns over again. One of the most famous beatniks was Allen Ginsberg, and you may want to check out his works at that time.

What to Wear for Beatnik Fashion?

The style is often associated with the late 1950s and early 1960s. There are many different ways to dress in this style. A famous piece of clothing that you may have seen people wearing in this era was a white turtleneck, pants, and a black leather jacket.  See more about beatnik on this site here.

Other pieces of clothing that could be worn include flat caps, low-rise trousers, shirts, sunglasses, pullovers, and jackets. The idea of being unique is also an essential part of this style as if you’ve just thrown things together from your wardrobe.

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Some tips to look great may include:

1. Turtlenecks

Turtlenecks

These turtlenecks are very common as the sweaters and shirts are one of the core components of Beatnik. There’s something elegant about a roll neck where the fit is slim, and the soft neckline is emphasized.

This can be worn year-round as long as you select an appropriate material for the weather and feels comfortable. Solid and dark colors and preferable.

2. Wide-Leg Pants

The effortless look can be completed with wide-leg pants. They are getting the more laid-back and casual vibe you can expect from people in the ’50s. This might give you a more tailored but slightly less formal silhouette, but you should keep the dark and classic colors. Cuff the bottoms when wearing them.

3. Skinny Jeans

For those who love jeans, the good news is that you can incorporate them into your overall look if pants are not your cup of coffee. These may be an apparent revolt for the proponents of the loose-fitting pants, but the rebellious ones are made for hipster fashion. You can still use them as a popular alternative style of choice today.

4. Striped Shirts

A more iconic piece that you wouldn’t want to miss is a striped shirt. This is a classic long or short-sleeved sweater known as a popular piece for your overall outfit.

Black and white stripes may go with anything in your wardrobe, so you must select the materials carefully. There are fantastic options out there that are affordable.

5. Black Jackets

Black Jackets

They may be an unofficial part of the overall outfit, but famous icons were pictured wearing their favorite tailored and sharp black jackets in the past.

Put on some stylish blazers that can make an excellent statement about who you are. The functional pea coats are ideal during cold weather, and they look luxurious. Choose the solid and minimalist styles, and you’re good to go.

Essentially, the Beatnik style is a type of clothing that combines bohemian and hipster fashion elements. It features loose, wide-legged pants, a loose shirt with buttons that can be undone, loafers, heavy-framed glasses, and a beret.

For this style, it’s essential to have fun with the way you dress. If you want to look stylish in this trend, think about how your jeans fit, and your shoes complement each other.

6. Loafers

The loafers are more relaxed and pared-down types of footwear. Instead of wearing something flashy, get the practical and classic black ones. There are modern pairs available on some websites, and they can work great with your overall ensemble if you know which ones to choose.

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