Summertime fun!

The warm weather is starting to hit the bay area and with that comes a completely different aesthetic. As much as I'm a fan of the beach and the out doors, I just can't bring myself to rock the typical summer attire. Luckily there are a number of bands that have served as inspiration on how to "stay cool" in hot weather.

Exhibit A: Nikki and the Corvettes


I'm not quite sure why but nothing says summer to me like colored denim and horizontal stripes. Maybe it's the 1960's surfer vibe that Nikki, Lori and Sally have in most of their promo shots... or maybe it's just because their songs are about summer, boys and cruisin' with the top down, but for whatever reason I can't listen to their self titled album (1980, Bomp! Records) without feeling like I'm at the beach.

Exhibit B: The Barracudas

While the above album cover would suggests they hail from somewhere in sunny southern California, the Barracudas were actually a London based group. These Anglo-Americans did a remarkably fine job at writing songs about the beach and the breaks in the late 70's/early 80's even though it's hard to believe a group of guys from London had a lot of opportunities to surf...

The Barracudas "Drop Out..." album holds a permanent spot in my top 10 favorite summertime albums and, with tracks like "Summer Fun", "Surfers Are Back" and "His Last Summer", you can probably guess why.

Exhibit C: The Beach Boys



Need I even explain why they're on this list?

summer1 by rockandrolloutlaw featuring Dries Van Noten shoes

Items in this set:
Nautical Striped Sweater Top, $16
Acid Distressed Short, $20
Dries Van Noten Woven Leather Brogues, 490 GBP
Straw Studios Wicker Clutch, $46
Stolen Thunder | handmade wooden anchor nautical stud earrings. Fun..., 12 GBP

summer2 by rockandrolloutlaw featuring Carvela shoes

Items in this set:
SEE BY CHLO? KM14F01 NAVY WITHE COTTON -, 255 GBP
Plain Bodycon Skirt, $24
Polka Dot Tights, 8 GBP
LEONARD, 79 GBP
Nude Padlock Bag, 30 GBP

Still kickin'...

While looking for old videos of teenage Nederglam sensation "The Teens" I happened upon a video of them performing their 1978 "gimme gimme your love" as adults. This sparked an interest to dive a little deeper into the world of YouTube to find out what my other favs were up to these days. Let me just forewarn that some of this ain't pretty!


1. The Teens "Gimme gimme your love"

I've gotta say I'm pretty impressed by how good his voice still sounds but I was totally distracted by how awful that outfit is! I feel like every day I find a new reason to hate Bono and today's reason can be his influence over the fashion sense of what used to be one of the most adorable front men in rock'n'roll (see below).



2. Bonnie St. Claire "Clamp your hands, stamp your feet"

Bonnie, I love you, but did you really have to make this happen? I would have much rather remembered you as the sex kitten with the voice of an angelic siren that you were back in your prime. I kinda wish I could have heard what that voice sounds like now rather than just seeing you lip-sync to the original.


3. Suzi Quatro "She's in love with you"

Not QUITE as sharp sounding as she was in the 70's but Suzi still sounds pretty damn badass... and she looks pretty damn good in leather pants for being nearly 60 years old!


4. Mud "Tiger feet"

Lead singer Les Gray died in 2004 of a heart attack (while battling cancer) but I gotta say this video from '96 proves that he rocked hard even in his older years. RIP, Les. I'm sure you'd still be an amazing front man had you not fallen early.



5. The Rubettes "Juke box jive"

Not a lot has changed for these guys. Still lip-syncing, still wearing white flat caps and polyester suits. I was a little bit shocked to see that their energy levels in the newer video actually seem HIGHER than in the following video from 1975...

used to be a troublemaker, hated homework, was a sweet heart breaker.

With the release of the film about the Runaways just around the corner, I figured it was about time to pay homage to one of the most influential all-female rock'n'roll groups! I'm still not sure how I feel about Dakota Fanning playing the iconic Cherie Currie or Twilight's Kristin Stewart taking a stab at Joan Jett but I'll have to wait for the movie to premiere in San Francisco before I judge young Hollywood on their adaptation of one of my favorite bands of all time.

Anywho, onto the Runaways!



Formed in 1975 with the aid of Kim Fowley, the original Runaways lineup would set the path for all girl heavy rock bands for years to come. While the band's career as a whole was a short lived one (ending in April of '79), the girls of the Runaways would go on to bigger, more recognized projects and ultimately rule over the rock'n'roll scene of the early 1980's.






The most well recognized member of the Runaways, rhythm guitarist Joan Jett, went on to create her solo band "Joan Jett and the Blackhearts". Jett has gained infamy for her widely known cover of the Arrows "I Love Rock and Roll" as well as being the first female artist to own her first record label, Blackheart Records.



While never reaching fame with a band outside of the Runaways, singer Cherie Currie tried her hand at an acting career and appeared in several films in the late 70's and early 80's. While Cherie did release a duet album with her sister in 1980, her music career ultimately took a dive after the dissolution of the Runaways.



Other members of the Runaways played part in the female rock'n'roll scene of the 80's, most notably lead guitarist Lita Ford and original bassist Mickie Steel. Ford continued her music career as a solo artist, releasing several albums on Polygram Records. Her biggest, and most well known, hit was titled "Kiss Me Deadly" which still happens to be one of my favorite songs, mind you! Mickie Steel joined the all-girl group The Bangles in the 1980's, reaching great success with songs like "Walk Like an Egyptian" and "Eternal Flame".

cover of Lita Ford's "Dancin' on the Edge" LP


The Bangles!


bonus fact: the bangles were originally known as "The Bangs" but had to change their name due to legal issues. The band released one single as "The Bangs" which included, in my opinion, one of their best tracks titled "Getting Out of Hand". They later re-released the single with the extra "les" at the end of their name, but the original EP is now worth a pretty penny!

While the band's last bassist Laurie McCallister never became a household name, the band she went on to do after the Runaways happens to be one of Kim Fowley's most unrecognized music "projects", the album she played on with the Orchids definitely is worth a listen. I picked up the album for relatively cheap many years back and there are a handful of good tracks that made it well worth the measly 3 or 4 bucks I paid for the vinyl copy. Hell, if nothing else, the cover sure has some good fashion inspiration. Check out all those color block outfits!

shine a light

While I'm stoked by what's going on with fashion right now, nothing seems to ever be able to top the look of this fine woman in her prime days. Words can't even describe how effing amazing Anita Pallenberg was circa late 60's/early 70's.






Unofficial Rolling Stone, official style icon, total dream boat.

you drive me nervous...

There's something so insanely refreshing about the parallels between Alice Cooper's signature style and what's "hot" in fashion right now. From the heavy eyeliner down to the leather pants, Alice exudes pretty much everything that is, was and ever will be rock'n'roll. To argue that this man is not only one of the most influential people in the heaviest of rocker worlds would be an absolute outrage... and to be quite honest his iconic style can't really be beat. It's dark, it's androgynous, it's perfect.

alice by rockandrolloutlaw on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:
Bluebanana.cc jacket, 100 GBP
Tillys.com t shirt, $16
Peacocks.co.uk pants, 22 GBP
Singer22.com boots
Saksfifthavenue.com belt, $180

Plasmatic vs. Plastic

couldn't resist posting this amazing comparison.... and also can't help but like Posh a little bit better now.


i'm also obsessed with this ring i bought from a street vendor. it kinda looks like an alien vagina.
that necklace i'm wearing was made for me by a friend... it includes a bullet shell that she placed a purple crystal in the tip of. it's become a staple.

right here, right now.

Precious Metal is one of those bands I accidentally stumbled upon in high school. Often times when I'm digging through the dollar record bins I'll come across something that looks interesting and buy it if the price is right. It's usually pretty risky doing this because 85% of the time the records are horrible but the 15% of the time that they're gems make all the gambling totally worth it.

Obviously, the first thing I was drawn to about the album "Right here, right now" was the girl's over-the-top colorful (but still tough) outfits. Every time I put on this record I spend almost as much time looking at their clothes as I do listening to the 3 or 4 good tracks on it.

I never really cared to learn a whole lot more about Precious Metal because, honestly, I doubt the band ever went too far. I do know that I love their outfits on the cover of their freshman album though and I totally grab inspiration from it whenever I want that "good girl gone bad" feel.

preciousmetal by rockandrolloutlaw featuring Miss Selfridge

There's really no such thing as over-accessorizing in rock'n'roll fashion.

preciousmetaljewelry by rockandrolloutlaw featuring Dorothy Perkins jewelry

(click on images for product details)

And if you're wondering what their music sounds like... think Go Go's meets Poison.

(pattern) mix it up!

Alright, so I know pattern mixing can go really wrong really quickly but when done the right way it can be a really good way to spruce up old favorites. Since the summer 2009 floral frenzy has pretty much taken the world by storm, come fall we're gonna either be throwing the stuff out in heaps or looking for new ways to wear it. Why not try mixing it up by doing pattern-on-pattern looks. Mismatching can be done without looking like Screech from Saved by the Bell so long as you don't go too busy or too overboard.

(Dustin Diamond as "Screech" on Saved by the Bell)

While I think bands like the Bay City Rollers and Slade had an interesting style I would be hesitant to wear my patterns as boldly as they did. After all, no girl wants to look like a clown vomited confetti all over her.

(The Bay City Rollers)

(Slade)

patterns by rockandrolloutlaw featuring American Eagle Outfitters

(click image for product details!)

hit'n'run

When it comes to rock'n'roll fashion, heavy metal band "Girlschool" is one my prime sources of inspiration. From their perfectly distressed denim to the perfectly tousled coifs Girlschool perfects perfection in every sense of the word.

While I find it a little... hmm... bizarre.. that it's so easy to find clothes that mimic the girl's style of the 70's and 80's I also find it fucking brilliant that I don't have to search high and low for the perfect vintage leather minis and ankle boots.

I've put together a couple of Girlschool inspired looks for your viewing pleasure! (click on images for product prices and details)

girlschool 1 by rockandrolloutlaw featuring American Eagle Outfitters

girlschool2 by rockandrolloutlaw featuring Maje

suzi... and other 4 letter words

Skin-tight leather, ridiculous amounts of gold chains, high waisted jeans, multiple statement rings.

This sounds like what's in for F/W '09, right? Well yes, but it's also been a uniform for Suzi Quatro since the early 70's. Known mostly for her part on Happy Days as Leather Tuscadero, Suzi also took fame in the UK and other parts of europe as one of the biggest players of the 70's glam rock movement (which, unfortunately, didn't have as much of an effect on the US as it should have... thanks a lot disco...). She also took a place in my heart from the very first glance when I became enamored with her "pretty-girl-gone-tough" style. It's always leathery, always dark and always as tight as can be. Translation? Fucking PERFECT.

(Suzi as "Leather". Seen here with "The Fonz")

(one of the most famous images of Suzi)

I hunted down some Suzi Quatro worthy pieces that I'll hopefully be able to get my hands on before this fall. I've got my fingers crossed that this trend will stick and T-U-F-F leather and skintight denim will prevail!

suzi by rockandrolloutlaw featuring Balmain

faux leather short-short from F21, $23

I can't say I'd be willing to rock these leather short shorts with bare legs but paired with some textured black opaque tights and a loose fitting blouse I think these bad boys would be super cute!

leather-look leggings from Wet Seal, $20

Ok, so let's be honest. Leather pants don't look good on that many people, nor are they the most conducive to one's comfort factor. These faux leather leggings give that same edgy look that Suzi had goin' on without sacrificing practicality.

leather motorcycle jacket by Balmain, $12,050

Right... so in a perfect world we'd all be able to afford this Balmain leather motorcycle jacket. Actuality? We can find one that's pretty much identical (except for the embellishment on the sleeve) at Bebe.com for 1/100th of the price.

gold snake chain 3 row necklace from Torrid, $14

You'll need like... four of these to get the authentic Suzi look. Good thing they're so cheap!

purple caged platform pumps from dorothyperkins.com, $66

The glam rockers of the 70's were known for their extravagant platforms (see below). This more subdued version lends an updated feel to a somewhat dated (but still awesome) style.

(yeah, they are awesome but very intense...)