Style Tribes: The Fashion of Subcultures

Style Tribes: The Fashion of Subcultures is a good overview of many street styles and some subcultures. But it lacks in-depth research on any of the groups and styles discussed. Still, it is a strong general reference.

As a alt fashion addict I had high hopes for Style Tribes, however soon opening the book and scanning the table of contents I realized that this book had already been written. Ted Polhemus wrote a very, very similar book in 1994 named Street Style. It actually covers more subcultures. So I highly recommend reading the book by Ted Polhemus instead if you can find it.

Whatever you dress in, someone else from another era, another generation, inspired it. There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of fully realised new looks and sub culture style these days, only nuanced changes on long established themes and styles from previous generations. I feel sorry for this generation, nothing truly to call their own. Since it seems like it’s pretty much all been done, see who got there first and whether you can change it right up. .

I already have Ted Polhemus' book 'Street Style' (both versions!)which is fantastic. As an accompaniment to that I really liked this book. It can be seen as a dip-in/dip-out book or a sit down and read book. I like the way it treats flappers as a style tribe. I also like the sections on Japan's street style. One quibble.... It completely ignores Metalheads/Headbangers. and their associated tribes - from Glam Metal to Death Metal, which Ted Polhemus' covers well and which are so important and continue to this day like bikers.. That is the only reason I've given it 4 and not 5 stars.

It tells you all the wee different subcultures of fashion since flappers. Obviously, it gives a lot more information after 1950s when the youths went a bit crazy after the WW2 years but I find it so interesting. If you're interested in fashion history, then opening your mind to more than mainstream, crest fantastique!

A beautifully put together book. The depth of research that has gone into this is apparent from the first page to the last. Extremely well written and with some fantastic photography, this really is a superb chronicle of fashion through the decades.Much more than your usual nostalgic trip down fashions memory lane, you get the sense each style tribe had been handpicked with a great deal of thought and care. Yes we have the greasers and rockers but for well known look is balanced with a little bit of lesser known fashion culture - Steam punk or Kogal anyone?Brilliant - buy it you won't be disappointed!

all my life in a bookI was born in 1950 and I loved finding in this book all the eras and all the styles that have embellished my life until today.