 Illustration of a male suedehead leaning on theTrojan Records logo | |
| Years active | 1970s-1980s |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Major figures | Hoxton Tom McCourt |
| Influences | Skinhead,Mod |
| Influenced | Mod revival |
Thesuedehead subculture was an early-1970s offshoot ofskinhead subculture in theUnited Kingdom andIreland. Although sharing similarities to 1960s skinheads, suedeheads grew their hair longer and dressed more formally.[1][2] Although oftenworking class like skinheads, some hadwhite collar jobs. A female suedehead was asort.
Suedeheads worebrogues,loafers orbasketweaveNorwegians instead of heavy boots. Suedeheads woresuits (especially in check patterns such asPrince of Wales anddogtooth) and other dressy outfits as everyday wear instead of just at dancehalls.Crombie-style overcoats andsheepskin coats became common. Most London suedeheads wore a silk handkerchief in the chest pocket of their Crombie, which also had a circular tie-pin through the Crombie and the handkerchief. Shirts often had large button-down collars, usually either pointed or rounded, calledbutterfly collars. The top shirts wereBen Shermans with a back pleat and top loop. Early on the most common style was a large windowpane check worn under atank top. At the height of the era, shirts changed to muted pastel shades, with the colour being governed by the day of the week. Sta-Presttrousers became worn more than jeans, which had been common with skinheads. Although the most popular form of trousers were the 2ToneTonik, which changed colour as they moved. The most common base colours were blue and green, whilst the most favoured secondary colours were red, yellow and gold. Another characteristic was coloured socks—such as solid red or blue—instead of plain black or white.[2]
Suedeheads shared the skinheads' interest inrocksteady,reggae,soul,R&B,funk andska,[2][3] but some suedeheads also listened toBritishglam rock bands such asThe Sweet,Slade,Ziggy Stardust andMott the Hoople.[2][4] In the late 1970s, most Suedeheads closely followed groups such asThe Beat,Madness,the Specials and other artists on the2Tonerecord label.
Suedeheads were portrayed in theeast end London-based filmBronco Bullfrog and theRichard Allen novelSuedehead.[3][5][6] In the late 1970s, a suedehead revival developed following the 1977 skinhead revival. This originated with a small number of individuals such asHoxton Tom McCourt, who also became involved with themod revival of the late 1970s.
In the early- to mid-1970s, many suedeheads also ownedLambretta scooters and there was a type of mini-mod revival. It was a crossover movement based on style, music, clothes and was most common amongst working-class teenagers living in the larger inner-city conurbations.[citation needed]
In the 1980s, a number offanzines were dedicated to the Suedehead culture. This includesThe Suedehead Times, which released three issues between 1985 and 1986.[7]
Morrissey released a single called "Suedehead" in 1988, although the lyrics appear to have nothing to do with suedehead subculture.