Ever since James Dean elevated the aloof allure of greaser style to iconic status back in the 1950s, the original rebel look has been etched into collective western style consciousness as the epitome of effortless cool. Greaser style has influenced generations of pencil pant-wearing, leather jacket-clad young men, cigarettes dangling precariously from their bottom lips and pretty girls dripping from their arms, ready to take a brazen stance against whatever the institution dictates proper and correct. You don’t necessarily have to embrace a rebellious attitude to celebrate this resurgence of classic bad boy style – the impending warm weather is a perfect excuse to roll up your sleeves, slap on some shades and get in touch with your inner Danny Zuko.
Outfit 1: If men walked the streets looking like this all summer, I would be a happy girl. These shorts are a perfect length – neither heinously short nor so ridiculously long that they risk entering capri territory. I applaud the utilitarian color scheme going on here – it evokes a stylish modern interpretation of the classic working man’s uniform. Note how he’s kept it super casual by omitting a belt. While pairing these pieces with a fresh, white pair of kicks looks great, I think that some neutral dock shoes would provide a sharp and trendy alternative. Overall, this entire ensemble oozes casual cool – from the dark shades to the loosely rolled-up sleeves – without seeming too contrived, which can sometimes happen when paying fashion homage to a specific era or persona.
Outfit 2: While I generally prefer the first look, it must be said that this young man’s accessories are fantastic. His three-tone brown brogues are the stuff that my dreams are made of, his suspenders sport an interesting pattern without appearing garish or tacky, and the quirky shades put a personalized stamp on his look. Like any experienced accessory fiend, he’s wisely kept the rest of his outfit simple in order to showcase its accents. I shall refrain from talking about his hair, because my mother taught me to keep my mouth shut unless I had something nice to say. I guess it does contribute to the greaser throwback vibe, but I’ll temporarily cease biting my tongue to say that number one did it better.
Ladies Touch by Sarah Parniak; a freelance writer and style enthusiast
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