Explaining 1960s Beatnik Fashion & Subculture

Hello dolls, 🌼
and welcome to "Explaining 1960s Beatnik Fashion & Subculture"!
Follow me through time back to the early 60s where a group of jazz and poetry loving hipsters formed a subculture that would lay the foundation for the 1960s counterculture: The Beatniks!
Born out of a post-war world, the Beatniks were a subculture of poets, artists, and musicians who sought to reject the conformity and materialism of their parents' generation. They emerged as the vanguard of the counterculture, setting the stage for the social revolutions to come.
Beatnik fashion was a deliberate departure from mainstream styles, embracing a more bohemian and intellectual aesthetic. Men sported berets, striped shirts, and turtlenecks, often paired with dark sunglasses and goatees. Women favored black tights, pencil skirts, and oversized sweaters, exuding an effortless, avant-garde charm. The outfits were often characterized by monochromatic outfits, minimalist silhouettes, and an effortless blend of elegance and practicality.
The Beatniks' sartorial choices were not just about style but a statement against the mass-produced fashion of the time. Their clothes were often thrifted or handmade, emphasizing individuality and self-expression over consumerism.
Several key figures epitomized the Beatnik look, each bringing their unique flair to the subculture. Women like Juliette Gréco, Audrey Hepburn, Jean Seberg and Edie Sedgwick made the style popular and shaped the iconic Beatnik style.
Beatnik makeup was characterized by a stark, minimalist aesthetic that contrasted sharply with the heavily made-up looks of the previous decade. It emphasized a natural look, with a focus on enhancing rather than concealing, and was deeply influenced by the existentialist culture of post-war Paris.
Musically, the counterculture adopted folk and rock as mediums to express its values, with artists like Bob Dylan and bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones incorporating Beat-inspired themes into their lyrics and lifestyles. Political activism also flourished, with figures like Allen Ginsberg participating in anti-war protests and other social movements, echoing the Beats’ early critiques of American society.
Beat poetry, characterized by its free-form style and raw emotion, was another cornerstone of the Beatnik movement. Figures like Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti captured the spirit of the age with their powerful, unfiltered verse. Ginsberg's "Howl" and Kerouac's "On the Road" became defining works, encapsulating the restless energy and yearning for authenticity that drove the Beatniks.
Despite their avant-garde leanings, Beatniks faced considerable pushback from mainstream society. They were often derided as unkempt and morally dubious, with their rejection of traditional values seen as a threat to social order. However, this very opposition only served to solidify their status as pioneers of a new cultural paradigm.
Sending you dolls the biggest hug, thank you for watching! 💌
All my lovin,
xx Emma 💌
Always remember that you are beautiful with & without makeup and that you don't need a lot of clothes to dress vintage! ⭐️
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⭐️ Hello dear dolls and welcome to my channel! My name is Emma Rosa Katharina and I'm making videos all about 1960s & 1970s fashion, makeup, music and pop-culture. I had a baby last spring and I'm uploading vlogs regularly sharing our life as a young family with you.So if you fancy the spirit of these long lost days I wanna welcome you to my world! On this channel, I upload videos every week surrounding topics such as vintage fashion, thrifting and all about the people that made the 60s & 70s so wonderful. So if you're looking for a little time travel back to the days of The Beatles, The Doors and the Rolling Stones I am happy to welcome you to my world! ⭐️
If you made it this far though my description box comment "Round and round she goes, the world of Amanda Jones" 💌
#60s #beatniks #60sfashion

[@lilmissrockchick4962]

The Beatnik fashion style is probably one of my favourite 60s styles because even though I love the colourful mod look, I feel that the Beatnik look still holds up more considering you could wear it today. A black jumper and black jeans is one of my favourite go to outfits, and Françoise Hardy, Brigitte Bardot and Nico are some of my favourite inspos for this look.

[@EmmaRosaKatharina]

There are so many wonderful Beatnik style icons! I truly could’ve made a video solely on them. They inspire my greatly 💌

[@djdissi]

My mum was a beatnik. By the time I was old enough, I started wearing some of the clothes she still held onto. I hated most 80s fashion, so I wore mostly vintage instead. I'm older now, but I'm still influenced by beatnik fashion more than anything else.

[@matthewmagda4971]

What's the difference between mods and beatnik aesthetic? Is it just British vs Continental sensibilities?

[@djdissi]

@matthewmagda4971 Quite different, although there was a cross over for many for sure, as in any era, but can't explain the whole thing at the moment it's late for me here lol. Mods initially were pretty tough, but with style. The dandies of the late 1900s was a style influence, ironically. It was clever and it took off for a reason. However the thing with beatniks, they were more about a quieter type of rebellion, more about art & lit, social history. Plus the movement started a bit earlier but didn't really end until the end of the 60s. Sure it blended in with rock, absolutely, and most were all in, but it was also largely about cafés, daytime conversation, social and political awareness and history. It was very artsy i guess. Like all movements, it attracted many wannabes and next "generation" followers so the movement quickly died out, and also, that age group got older, a reason why movements/fads die out...but that's surely not the only reason. You know how your fashion statement tells people who you are?The beatnik style definitely expressed that, as did the mod style - and as well as the style put together! (which of course as we know eventually happened) and many parents and the establishment were not thrilled at all about either.

[@shoppingforamoon]

You're incredibly quick at producing these videos! I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate them 🖤

[@EmmaRosaKatharina]

Thank you for noticing and your kind words 💌 I truly pour my heart & soul into researching, filming and editing these every week and it means a lot that you reached out 💌

[@Ross1950art]

This is fun hearing someone your age talk about things happening when I was your age. It's a trip!

[@kitsnow5307]

The style of the beatniks was very cool.

[@EmmaRosaKatharina]

Oh it truly was 💌

[@jeanm34]

Wonderful and informative video! Thank you, Emma 😄 I am 27 now, but when I was 13 I became OBSESSED with Elvis Presley, and then the Beatles. Then I got into Nirvana, AC/DC etc, but then around 16/17, I was more into Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Queen, The Clash and so forth. I'm a relatively new watcher of you videos and I have to say, you are giving me such inspiration to write and to dress fun again. My mom also enjoys your videos, thank you for sharing with us! Have a wonderful day 🌻

[@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar]

I read the biography of William S Burroughs, several years ago. I already loved jazz, and began to explore beat poetry and counter culture. I see how it's influence continues to this day. Fabulous,well researched content , thank you so much 🤍

[@abigaildevoe]

love this episode! it's cool how so many prominent figures of psychedelic music and art came from beatnik scenes

[@saintgeorge6706]

Emma thanks for the lovely images of style icon Francoise Hardy RIP

[@GabrielaHodolean]

Thank you, for posting this video, so we can learn more about the 60s fashion. I am so much into it and I really apreciate the fact that there are still lovely people like you to teach us about it!❤

[@christopherwelch136]

We weren’t. We were just having fun. Bless you.

[@kennyhagan5781]

I was just a toddler when the Beatniks started to be replaced by the flower children, but I do like the look if it isn't overdone. Thrift stores have a ton of good stuff that is appropriate for the style.

[@sunvalley5040]

what a wonderful lection! You give us profound and multifold look at beatnik culture and times. Enjoyed that and learned some more new info. Thank you so much, Emma!

[@judis6224]

Yes em,you really do your research,and you show your excitement about it,love your outfit.appreciate your enthusiasm and effort for these vlogs,learn so much.😊

[@kirstynhume7666]

These videos are so interesting, you clearly put a lot of work in when doing your research. Love your outfit too Xx 💖

[@EmmaRosaKatharina]

This makes me so happy! I love to hear that you enjoy them since I pour my heart & soul into these 💌 thank you so so much 💌

[@kirstynhume7666]

@@EmmaRosaKatharina you're welcome 😄

[@Maxyshadow]

What a wonderful video. Thanks. A history well worth keeping.

[@hollybolly7073]

Great! ❤ Liebe den Film Beat-Girl mit Gillian Hills. Sie wurde von Serge Gainsbourg entdeckt und er so hat tolle Stücke mit ihr aufgenommen. Im Film blow up wurde sie lustigerweise brünett gefärbt und Jane Birkin blond. Es gibt eine geniale BeatnikPlatte: The Beat Generation mit der ultimativen Beatnik-Hymne von "Bob McFadden & Dor - The Beat Generation"

[@glendalazelle3909]

Thats incredible im currently reading Howl

[@EmmaRosaKatharina]

How do you like it? I truly enjoyed it! It’s such an interesting insight into the Beatniks minds 💌

[@ginaferracini9375]

enjoyed this video about the Beatniks . thanks Emma ✌️

[@camgere]

Great video! Amazing for someone so young. You have to put the beatniks in context. There was big band swing music in the 1940s. It had its hipster characters with their own jive language and rarely discussed drug usage. Slim Gaillard, Cab Calloway, Ernie “Bubbles” Whitman. Some scripted jive for broadcast. “It was a little jive, the cats got together and got a little groovy”. “Voutie Orooney Valto DiVoutie” .“A groovy little number, very mellow” (you were doing great if you were “in the groove” like a record needle) “Greetings to all you Jacksons and Jillsons”. “Squirt some blue paint on a piece of paper and send it to Jubilee Armed Forces USA for vitamin J.” “The sharps and flats have dazzled the cats, the wonderful rendition has busted the partition”. “Mello as a cello or sharp as harp”. “If you’re hep to the jive you say “give me some skin, Jack”. “Have you got your boots laced?” “Dear cats, this is Gracie with the jive husband saying that if you want to be latched on, be sure that your hips are hep”. Then came smaller “Rhythm and Blues” ensembles, heavily featuring saxophone. Of course, Rock ‘N Roll replaced this. There was a time in the 1950s that is seemed like individuality would be crushed by social conformity. Japanese suffer from this to this day. Only three TV stations and Time and Life magazine were ubiquitous. George Orwell and Aldous Huxley warned us about this coming time. Folk music was heavily linked to protest. Woody (and Arlo) Guthrie and Bob Dylan epitomized the intellectual protest folk music scene. The face of the bearded, sloppily dressed beatnik in mass media was undoubtedly Bob Denver (Gilligan) as Maynard G. Grebs on “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis”. “Work! I don’t know about that, Dobie.”

[@tudormiller887]

Is there a Beatnik Revival in 2024 ? Is Alexa Chung still a 'style icon' ? Great video Emma. Jack Kerouac is my favourite author.

[@EmmaRosaKatharina]

I don’t think so, or at least not that I’m aware of. But I truly believe that there doesn’t have to be a comeback for you to wear a certain style ⭐️ thank you so much xx

[@christopherkeil]

I knew a few older kids that could be considered Beatniks when I was a kid. Unfortunately that movement went away with the mod and psyc movement of the mid and later sixties. Too bad, I think I might have made a better beatnik, but I was too young. Jack Kerouac was a genius.

[@gwugluud]

Are we confusing Beats with UK Mods and USA garage rockers? Those two movements were a decade apart.

[@BillNelson-OU812]

Such a cutie beauty 🥰 I’ve enjoyed visiting many of these places and the works of these artists. One such place I’m looking forward to checking out is Shakespeare & Company bookstore in Paris. City Lights is a Mecca.

[@plb1595]

When I was going thru my hipster phase in like 2012 my grandmother called me a beatnik and I had to Google it 😅 this video unlocked that memory for me lol

[@Zheugma]

Loved this video.... so cool and educational. More please

[@kookamunga2458]

You look like agent 99 from that 1960s TV show with Maxwell Smart . The TV show was full of beatnik references and fashion .

[@user-hj4wm9dd4z]

I was a little kid during that era .l remember jokes about them. "And then this Beatnik walks in and says........" One time my brother pointed at some guy on the sidewalk downtown.He said ,That's a Beatnik ! Maybe my brother was a wannabe Beatnik . LOL

[@ChlariePeace]

These videos are great and you look cute Emma

[@EmmaRosaKatharina]

Thank you so much my love 💌

[@danarcher9012]

I recited Howl in a first year poetry class at university in 2000 and angered a few of my fellow students. Anyways, great video.

[@orangelazarus91]

“I’m not a beatnik, I’m a Catholic.” - Jack Kerouac

[@hermitfrodo7730]

There is a scene in the movie "Heart Beat" where Nick Nolte as Neal Cassady walks into a bar for a drink. He's wearing the clothes of a worker; a logger or a stevedore. Most in the bar are dressed so Hip he's taken aback. The bartender is speaking Jive. Neal realizes he is out of his time and place. Something bad has happened.

[@finnmcginn9931]

60s beatniks are like 70s hippies. A decade late to the party

[@Looter92]

For the past two Sundays we have discussed the beat generation. What is the exact definition of a beatnik? We are not sure.

[@EmmaRosaKatharina]

That’s so cool! I guess it’s kinda hard to pin it down but here’s what I’d say: Beatniks were folks from the 1950s and early '60s who ditched mainstream society for alternative lifestyles. They loved jazz, poetry, and Eastern philosophy, and often showed their rebellion through unique fashion and art. The whole scene was inspired by the Beat Generation writers. Would you agree?

[@Looter92]

Beatniks are mixed up baffled kids who gripe against modern life

[@jdjones4825]

I thought the beatniks was a 50's scene

[@susanwzrkentin.stateparks.9158]

This is what I have always looked like. Also coffee and bookstores . You have to stay awake to talk about the books you read...

[@EmmaRosaKatharina]

That sounds dreamy 💌

[@paxwallace8324]

Yeah you go girl ☮️☯️🕉️🦧✊🤣

[@WhenHariMetKari]

The Beats were real. The “Beatnik” is a manufactured image. Beats + Sputnik =

[@djdissi]

My parents were beatniks in Montreal

[@rickeyescobedo4115]

What's the name of the film in the intro with the girl walking down the stairs? She ends up going to a burlesque show to see dancers and learn she should go to places like that before her dad comes and gets her at the end. What's it called?

[@thomasmagee5644]

"Beat Girl"!

[@paxwallace8324]

You gotta listen to jazz and read Ginsberg...howl Bird, Chet Baker, Getz, Hank Mobely, Bill Evans, Early Miles, Dex, Jobim.

[@matthewmagda4971]

Where can I get similar commentary on men's fashion?

[@sinenkaari5477]

Nothing like this going on with my generation

[@djdissi]

The "Beat"les

[@christinacascadilla4473]

I thought beatniks were the late 1950s. You know, like Maynard G. Krebs.

[@LuckyBastardProd]

You’re correct but the 60s in particular ‘66 had a satirical campy beatnik thing happening that would be hugely influential, think the origin of lowbrow culture. Artists like Robert Williams, kustom kulture icons like Von Dutch and Ed Roth it was more rock n roll comic books than literature and poetry of the 50s beats. One could argue that the 60s beatniks were pre punk but yes cats like Burroughs, Kerouac and Ginsberg as well as modern Jazz was all 50s.

[@djdissi]

@christinacascadilla4473 true, that's when the movement began and was most poignant

[@Infy808]

What the song in the beginning?

[@adamacote]

Don’t forget the embracing of underground black culture of the time: jazz, drugs ,dancing, and the identifying with the outsider, the non conformist, non traditional white only culture.

[@thomkopal1740]

If you’re going to use AI narration, please take time to review and correct mispronunciations in order to optimize effectiveness. I liked the content!

[@EmmaRosaKatharina]

Hi there! I’m glad you enjoyed my videos! I don’t use AI narration most of my knowledge comes from books and interviews. English isn’t my native language so sometimes I might use words that I’m not 100% sure on how to pronounce them. I try my best with these videos but not free mistakes.

[@thomkopal1740]

@@EmmaRosaKatharina My apologies for misunderstanding. Here's wishing you the best with your videos!

[@mannocheech4407]

Globe trousers was the roots n first new age travelers on bike cycles play basket ball

[@philipzahn491]

Aren't the original Hipsters at least twenty years older?

[@marianne22222]

and now… they will make this a trend or something lord help us all. Not everyone deserves and understands what this good culture and references means. Not meant to be exposed to everyone

[@tneowapl1-bv6gr]

Omg All this rehashing Our Parents Sh it lol