Skinhead

A skinhead, or "skin," is a member of a global subculture. This movement began among working-class youth in London, England, during the 1960s. It serves as an expression of working-class pride and solidarity. Many members feel a sense of social alienation from mainstream society. This shared identity is expressed through specific clothing and music.

The skinhead aesthetic is built on practical, working-class items. Most members have close-cropped or completely shaven heads. This hairstyle may have been a practical choice for industrial jobs. It also served as a defiance of the middle-class hippie movement. Clothing often includes Dr. Martens or steel-toed work boots.

Members wear straight-leg jeans, sometimes hemmed or rolled to show boots. They also wear button-down collar shirts in plain or checkered patterns. Braces, or suspenders, are often worn in an X shape at the back. Some members wear specialized items like pork pie hats or Harrington jackets.

There are different styles within the subculture. The first wave of skinheads emerged in the late 1960s. These individuals were influenced by the "mod" and "rude boy" subcultures. They often wore sharp, clean-cut outfits. By the late 1970s, a second wave emerged during a punk rock revival. This wave included "Oi!" music, which is a working-class offshoot of punk. These skinheads often wore less strict, punk-influenced styles. Other groups, like "suedeheads," focused on hair styling with a comb.

The history of the movement is divided into distinct eras. The first wave peaked around 1969. During this time, the rock band Slade even adopted the look. By the early 1970s, the original movement began to fade. Some members transitioned into groups like "bootboys," who were linked to football hooliganism. The late 1970s saw a major revival. This second wave was driven by economic changes and unemployment. In the United States, the hardcore punk scene also embraced skinhead styles.

Music is a central pillar of the skinhead experience. The first generation was heavily influenced by Jamaican music. They listened to ska, rocksteady, and early reggae. They also enjoyed African-American soul and rhythm and blues.

During the second wave, the 2 Tone style emerged. 2 Tone filtered Jamaican genres through punk and new wave music. This musical connection helped define the subculture's identity across different decades.

Political affiliations significantly changed the subculture in the 1980s. This caused a major split between far-right and far-left strands. In Great Britain, some skinheads joined groups like the National Front. This led to the rise of counter-groups like Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice, or SHARP.

In West Germany, street fights occurred between skinheads and anti-fascist movements. In East Germany, the movement was split between fashion-focused youth and political activists. These groups were eventually infiltrated by the Stasi, an intelligence agency.

Today, the skinhead subculture remains a broad spectrum of beliefs. It exists across Europe, North America, and even Australia. While some segments are defined by politics, many others remain apolitical. For these members, the culture is simply about working-class roots. It continues to endure in many different social contexts worldwide.