Looks from Books: Fashion Inspired by The Outsiders
A Fashionable Literacy
A film adaptation ofThe Outsiders was released in 1983. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, it served as a vehicle for stars like Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, and Tom Cruise. The film is also credited with helping to create the “Brat Pack” movie genre of the ’80s. Fun fact: the movie actually came into fruition because a classroom full of middle school students from Fresno, California, asked their teacher to write to Coppola and convince him to make the movie.
The “greaser” culture present in the movie is in line with typical media depictions of the style: think greasy, stylized haircuts and a wardrobe of denim, leather jackets, knit tees, motorcycle boots,and Converse Chuck Taylors (à la Fonzie from Happy Days). The greaser movement was deliberately anti-fashion, eschewing popular trends of the ’60s. However, that doesn’t mean that the look hasn’t influenced legions of similarly-minded teens (and fashion designers) over the years – after all, worn-in jeans, motorcycle boots, tee-shirts, and Converse sneakers have never really gone out of style.
How to Add Ponyboy to Your Wardrobe
By integrating key motifs and symbols from the plot of The Outsiders into your own daily look, you, too, can play the part of a downtrodden teenage rebel, without undergoing the struggles that Ponyboy and his friends had to endure.
What is “Tough”?
Product Information: Blazer – Forever 21, Distressed Jeans – Forever 21, Chiffon Top – Topshop, Studded Boots – Tilly’s, OPI Shatter Nail Polish – Drugstore.com, Love & Beauty Nail Polish – Forever 21.
In the novel, Ponyboy frequently uses the word “tough”; however, he is quick to note the sharp differences in the meaning of the word in his everyday life: “tuff” can mean “cool” or “sleek,” like when referencing an awesome car or music record, while “tough” has the typical definition. He makes sure to point out, though, that in his neighborhood and social group, both “tuff” and “tough” are compliments. In his world, being hardened and edgy is as much a measure of success as buying a cool car.
