STYLE AND CULTURE
PUNK ICONS THROUGH THE YEARS
By Mark Fountain, August 11, 2022
’80s: DEBBIE HARRY
There are soooo many punk icons from the early days we could’ve picked – Patti Smith, Siouxsie Sioux, Joan Jett (punk gals LOVE a lil alliteration). But from a style stance we had to go for Debs. Logo tees, colorful co-ords, catsuits and sometimes a bit of tailoring, Debbie knew how to do the MOST on and off stage. The Blondie singer took the spirit of early punk and mixed it with 80s new wave (and later disco) to do her own thing – which is VERY punk.
GET THE LOOK:
COLLUSION varsity ringer flower T-shirt in yellow, $13
Bershka mom jeans with rips in black, $46
Unique21 one shoulder cut out bodysuit in cyan blue, $24
’90s: COURTNEY LOVE
In the ’90s, punk grew into grunge and Courtney Love was there to add some glam ✨ With her band, Hole, the LA singer wore ultra-femme shapes and fabrics in a tough and unapologetic way – think satin slip dresses, lace corsets and animals prints. A glam grunge flex that many have since tried to emulate (Kourt K, we're looking at you).
GET THE LOOK:
Vila coat in leopard print, $113
Topshop corset lace detail mini dress in black, $65
Daisy Street 90s cami mini dress with ruched bust in blue ditsy floral, $39
’00s: AVRIL LAVIGNE
A punk look doesn’t have to be complicated 😉 Just throw on some cargo pants or bootcut jeans, a band tee and as many wristbands as you can fit on. That was Avril’s trick – along with the iconic tie accessory 👔 The Canadian superstar blended punk looks with ’00s sk8er-boi style to earn the crown of skate-punk queen 🛹👑 Bow down!
GET THE LOOK:
COLLUSION waffle vest top in white, $8
ASOS DESIGN slouchy cargo pants in brown camo, $48
Pull&Bear Led Zeppelin oversized band t-shirt in black, $28
Topshop petite cotton knee rip dad jeans in washed black, $64
2010s: HAYLEY WILLIAMS
By the 2010s, pop punk stars like Hayley Williams weren't playing dive bars, they were selling out stadiums 🏟️🎶 But the Paramore singer still kept things punk with no-nonsense 'fits based around denim shorts, white tees and chunky Dr Martens. And to liven things up, how about a color-block knit? Knitwear is totally punk, BTW.
GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN striped jumper in pink, $40
ASYOU belted denim hot pant in black, $42
Miss Selfridge tartan bias check skirt in red, $19
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Lift platform hi sneakers in black, $75
2020s: WILLOW
Punk’s not dead! A whole new gen of artists are looking to the icons of the genre to freshen up their look and sound, just ask Willow Smith (actually, it’s just WILLOW, ICYDK). Now the self-styled 'Punk Picasso' 🎨 has been spotted on stage wearing tartan mini skirts, corset tops and leather harnesses – pure punk-fection! It’s a very 2020s punk-meets-high-fashion vibe and we’re 100% here for it.
GET THE LOOK:
COLLUSION check mini skirt in blue and yellow check, $16
Daisy Street relaxed t-shirt in yellow with smile more print, $13
Hunkemoller caged harness with gold hardwear in black, $52
ASOS DESIGN natural effect corset with seaming in black, $37