When Rockabilly Clothing Meets Psychobilly Clothing

The term ‘Rockabilly Clothing’ originated when the three disparate musical styles of Country-boogie, Hillbilly and Rhythm and Blues crossed paths in the late forties and early fifties in America. The hybridization of these three music styles became known as rockabilly and then evolved into the well known Rock and Roll movement of the fifties.

Famous rockabillies are Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Rick Nelson, The Stray Cats, Glen Glenn and Buddy Holly.

At the beginning of the eighties the expression “rockabilly” once again became very popular due to its usage as a description of a particular retro fashion style inspired by vintage pin-up girls and fashions from the 1940’s and 50’s as worn by the fans of the then new Rock and Roll music. This modern version of Rockabilly clothing, was known as Psychobilly Clothing with its edgy added embellishments influenced by both punk and rockabilly, it can so easily be developed into a unique look by a creative individual who is a fan of this updated Rockabilly style.

Psychobilly Clothing and fashion combines punk with elements of 1950s rockabilly style as discussed and the UK Teddy Boy fashion: brothel creepers are frequently worn which went hand in hand with skinny jeans often known as drain pipe jeans, as well as leather jackets, often times extreme full leopard print drapes, gas-station work shirts and Pschobilly band T-shirts.

Psychobilly hair consists of a quiff, most Psychobilly guys will shave the sides of their quiff into a mohican. Clothing is usually adorned with patches inspired by old school horror films and art work inspired by the famous Ed “Big Daddy” Roth. This style also bleeds into the Cow Punk scene, however they incorporate cowboy boots and western style shirts and jeans.