Skinhead facts for kids

The British punk rock band The Business performs in Berlin, Germany in 2003.

Skinheads are members of a subculture that started in Britain in the late 1960s. They are called "skinheads" because of their very short haircuts. Many early skinheads worked in factories. They kept their hair short so it would not get caught in machines.

What are Skinheads?

Skinheads are part of a youth culture. This culture has its own style of clothing, music, and ideas. It began with working-class young people. They wanted to create their own identity.

How the Skinhead Look Started

The original skinhead style came from other youth groups. These included the British mods and Jamaican rude boys. Mods liked smart clothes and modern music. Rude boys were young Jamaican immigrants. They brought their own music, like ska and rocksteady, to Britain. Skinheads took parts of both these styles.

Key Fashion Items

Skinhead fashion is very specific. It includes a few main items:

• Short hair (often shaved very close)
• Work boots, especially Dr. Martens
• Straight-leg jeans, often Levi's
• Button-down shirts, like Ben Sherman or Fred Perry
• Braces (suspenders)

This look was practical for working-class life. It also showed a sense of toughness and unity.

Music and Culture

Music is a big part of the skinhead subculture. Early skinheads loved Jamaican music. This included ska, rocksteady, and early reggae. These music styles had strong beats and often talked about working-class life.

Later, in the late 1970s, new music came along. This was called Oi! music. It was a type of punk rock. Oi! music was made by and for skinheads. It often had simple, catchy songs about everyday life, football, and friendship.

Skinhead Values

Many skinheads valued hard work and loyalty. They often felt proud of their working-class background. Being part of the subculture gave them a sense of belonging. They often formed close groups of friends.

Images for kids

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  The British skinhead band The 4-Skins in 1980

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  Skinhead girls with straight-cut bangs

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  Dr. Martens boots with Levi's jeans

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  Hoxton Tom McCourt, a revival skinhead pictured in 1977

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  Late 2000s female skinhead with 1960s-style extensions

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  Male skinhead from the UK

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  Canadian black metal band Blasphemy, described as "black metal skinheads"

See also

In Spanish: Skinhead para niños