The 50's "Beatnik" Look

Naama · Aug 29, 2008

I have a book called "Women of the Beat Generation" by Brenda Knight, maybe you can get it at the library? It has some pics in it. Interesting is, there is a chapter on the Beatnik Muses, they all rather look like "ordinary" 50's girls, with theire hair done and everything. The chapter on the women who actually where artists looked a bit differnt but I think most of them where taken during the 60's.
Try to get a look at the book I think.

Naama

RedHotRidinHood · Sep 1, 2008

FINALLY!

My mom found her pictures, and I guess I remember them a little differently, but they are pretty fabulous nonetheless! She and my aunties were very fashionable girls back in the day! Enjoy, and I hope they provide some inspiration!

This is why I dress the way I do, I am convinced of it. And I am SO recreating the leopard dress picture; it was light-wale corduroy and she had a MATCHING COAT. (She was also a redhead like me.) How groovy is that!!??

I am re-creating this picture!!

I have the garter somewhere, and I remember those shoes very well.

I remember that hat VERY well because she wore it well into the 70s. It was shiny vinyl and I would KILL to have it in my possession! Dig those kitten heels.

None of them played a note, but they sure looked cool, huh? I actually own that very autoharp. Nobody knows where it came from originally. Doesn't get much more Beatnik than this!!

Note the date-they are watching the Beatles on TV! From front-Auntie Jacqui, Auntie Jayni, Auntie Sue and my mom.

Smuterella · Sep 1, 2008

lovely pictures, thanks for posting

AudreyH · Sep 2, 2008

When I was reading what the play was about I was saying "Oh my god it's 'Funny Face' with Audrey Hepburn!" lol Yeah, watch 'Funny Face', just copy her outfit. lol

ShrinkingViolet · Sep 2, 2008

RedHotRidinHood said:
None of them played a note, but they sure looked cool, huh? I actually own that very autoharp. Nobody knows where it came from originally. Doesn't get much more Beatnik than this!!

OMG Girls in the Garage!
I love the Byrds-type suede vest. Cool chicks!

RedHotRidinHood · Sep 2, 2008

ShrinkingViolet said:
OMG Girls in the Garage!
I love the Byrds-type suede vest. Cool chicks!

I want my mom's boots!

cherry lips · Sep 2, 2008

Thanks CherryRed and RedHotRidinHood for posting pictures of your fashionable and beautiful moms! Fun, fun, fun!

Foofoogal · Sep 2, 2008

These photos are amazing.
http://members.aol.com/gethep/jive.html

I can dig it..lol

Tigerlily · Sep 8, 2008

Thank you for posting those, RedHotRidinHood!!! I just enjoyed so much looking at them. It looks like she had a lot of fun! And that is one killer leopard dress!!!

RedHotRidinHood · Sep 8, 2008

You are very welcome! I am glad that I asked her about them, because I have copies now too. I forget how cool she was/is sometimes.

Miss.Monroe · Sep 8, 2008

Sorry for my ignorance, but what's a "beatnik" look?

dhermann1 · Sep 8, 2008

The "Beats"

The Beat generation (as in musical beat) were a post WW II phenomenon. They centered in New York and San Francisco. Their heroes were poets like
Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, Peter Orlovsky, Jack Kerouac, and William S. Burroughs. They rejected modern American materialism, and were in many ways the direct ancestors of the hippies of the 60's. They listened to jazz, rather than rock and roll. The stereotypical "beatnik", and term which came into use after the first Russian satellite, Sputnik, wore a goatee, a ragged sweatshirt a black beret and dark glasses. Needless to say the stereotype was grossly exaggerated and distorted by Hollywood.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_Generation
If you want to get a good idea of the era, rent "Pollock", with Ed Harris.

goldwyn girl · Sep 8, 2008

RedHotRidinHood, they were fabulous !!! Oh do post more of your mum and aunties, have a thread just for them. I could look at those photo's all day.

Miss.Monroe · Sep 8, 2008

dhermann1 said:
The Beat generation (as in musical beat) were a post WW II phenomenon. They centered in New York and San Francisco. Their heroes were poets like
Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, Peter Orlovsky, Jack Kerouac, and William S. Burroughs. They rejected modern American materialism, and were in many ways the direct ancestors of the hippies of the 60's. They listened to jazz, rather than rock and roll. The stereotypical "beatnik", and term which came into use after the first Russian satellite, Sputnik, wore a goatee, a ragged sweatshirt a black beret and dark glasses. Needless to say the stereotype was grossly exaggerated and distorted by Hollywood.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_Generation
If you want to get a good idea of the era, rent "Pollock", with Ed Harris.

Thank you so much, dhermann1 !

Real Swell Gal · Sep 8, 2008

My mom once told me that at her school girls had to wear skirts or dresses.
Even beatnik girls. Boys were not even allowed to wear jeans and my mom graduated from a public school in 65'. So you might want to keep that in mind.

Girl Friday · Sep 13, 2008

I can't help but think of Dobie Gillis and Maynard G. Krebs lol
http://www.bobdenver.com/Maynard_s_CoffeeHouse/Maynard_G__Krebs/body_maynard_g__krebs.html

MadelienneBlack · Sep 13, 2008

This is one of my favorite videos, and I think it'll help you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVOXxDV5BdI (can anyone guess who the guy in the background is?)

This one's silent, but take a look at the ladies in the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NPdeJ_X0YU&feature=related

Hope this helps!

cherry lips · Sep 13, 2008

Wow MadelienneBlack, both of those clips were really interesting. Especially the last one. Kerouac looks really full of himself! I feel like saying "No, you're no James Dean buddy, so give it up". I never liked On The Road anyway. It's also refreshing to see women from the 50s having what I presume to be intelligent conversations, or at least being treated/ acting like equals instead of just trying to look sexy and attractive. Especially one woman catches my eye. She's not only talking with men, but famous poets and authors. Yet she shows confidence and answers back, instead of playing little girl tricks. :eusa_clap

MadelienneBlack said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NPdeJ_X0YU&feature=related

Jacqui · Sep 19, 2010

TigerLilly . . . have fun . . .

Here's a comical take on a beat poem (to be recited slowly--eyes half-closed--and with gravitas):

Little Bo-Peep . . .
Has lost her sheep . . .
And can't tell where to find them . . .

Leave them alone . . .
And they will come home . . .
. . . . . . . . .
In a TRUCK.

This should be followed by quiet applause, appreciative murmurs, and knowing nods from the low-lit-coffee-house audience.

(Don't ask me.)
Jacqui
Mephisto

calendargirl · Sep 19, 2010

Jacqui said:
Here's a comical take on a beat poem (to be recited slowly--eyes half-closed--and with gravitas):

Little Bo-Peep . . .
Has lost her sheep . . .
And can't tell where to find them . . .

Leave them alone . . .
And they will come home . . .
. . . . . . . . .
In a TRUCK.

This should be followed by quiet applause, appreciative murmurs, and knowing nods from the low-lit-coffee-house audience.

(Don't ask me.)
Jacqui
Mephisto

Love this!

And keep the beatnik pictures coming please! When I Google image Beatnik women all I get are bad Halloween costumes.

The 50's "Beatnik" Look

Practically Family

Practically Family

One Too Many

Familiar Face

A-List Customer

Practically Family

Call Me a Cab

Banned

One of the Regulars

Practically Family

New in Town

I'll Lock Up

One Too Many

New in Town

One of the Regulars

Practically Family

One of the Regulars

Call Me a Cab

New in Town

New in Town

Similar threads

Log in

Forum statistics