They were of Teddy Girls in the mid 1950's (see the two smaller photos below), and I remember being so captivated with their effortless Edwardian-era styling and their tough, tomboy attitudes. In the time since, I've done a wee bit of research on Teddy Girls, enough to know that I would have been A-okay with being one if I had been around in the 50s. They spent their spare time away from factories buying or making their trademark clothes which included – get this – drape jackets, pencil skirts, long plaits (aka braids!), rolled-up jeans, flat shoes, tailored jackets with velvet collars, straw boater hats, cameo brooches, espadrilles, coolie hats and long, elegant clutch bags (taken from wikipedia!). I mean, other than the coolie hat, which of those things would you not want to wear right now?
It was only recently that I rekindled my love and appreciation for Teddy Girls, and I owe it all to Liz Ham's 2010 interpretation for Oyster Magazine. More than anything they make me ready for spring and maybe a little anxious for a pair of shiny black oxfords!
1955 photos shot by Ken Russel!