10 Punk Fashion Tips

Looking for 10 punk fashion tips? Feelin' lucky, punk? If we were Joe Strummer (and if you don't know who that is, you can get out... No, we're serious. Get out. Now.), that's probably what we would ask you before sharing what we're about to share with you: the top ten punk fashion tips. It's your lucky day, punk.

1. Number One: Avoid Hot Topic Like the Plague. Why? Because-and if you are truly a punk, then you don't need to be told this and can just skip this tip-Hot Topic actually is the plague. But seriously, that establishment should go against your morals, standards and ideals. Plus, most of those bands blow anyway.
2. Number Two: Merch. Instead of feeding into the corporate masses or, erm, catching the plague, how about you actually support the artists by purchasing the merch that they sell by themselves? Also, merch directly from the band is more likely to be unique, and you get more cool points this way, anyway. Or even better…
3. Number Three: Merch from Shows. Go get some X's on the back of your hands - and a T-shirt right from some awesome band that you are just about to see or have just seen live. Or stickers. Or patches (those are another story). Or, you know, whatever the hell it is the band is selling. It is sure to be awesome and well-worth the money. Also, you get double cool points for this one.
4. Number Four: Black is Good. No, I'm not talking about head-to-toe black, but you can't go wrong with a black jacket, a black belt (ha ha, pun very much so intended... not), black boots or just black anything. Black is your friend. Embrace black.
5. Number Five: Color is Good, Too. It is, but no sissy la la colors like pastels. You wear that, and you get hit. Dark but bright is a wise alternative, such as reds, greens or blues. Grays, olive drabs and gunmetals are all also excellent choices.
6. Number Six: Leather and Studs and Belts, Oh My! It's part of being a punk. Or a greaser... But never mind that. Get used to the leather and studs and belts. If you aren't wearing them, you need a serious wardrobe update, most likely. Or, you need a real punk to kick your ass. Either way, punks stole a lot of their fashion from the fifties and they like leather jackets, combat boots and shiny, metal studs all over everything that is, well, made out of leather. And, get real leather.
7. Number Seven: Hair. How you wear it isn't the important part. The important part is having a look that is yours. It's punk to wear a mohawk. It's punk to wear a pompadour. It's punk to shave your entire head and have no hair. Make it look good. Make it look punk. Make it look you.
8. Number Eight: Different Styles for Different Punks. Part of being punk is being unique and an original person. You are an open-minded individual with your own ideas. You don't follow the masses. You are not a sheep. So, wear whatever the hell you want to wear that says "I'm a punk." If it's got a brand name on it, you're probably screwed. If it's got a band name on it, you're probably not screwed. The coolest thing you can possibly do is make your clothes unique by doctoring them up a little bit. Do it yourself.
9. Number Nine: Patches. Patches are very punk. Utilize them, and learn to sew. A patch you got at a Bad Religion show makes the back pocket of your jeans completely punk. Patches can be found at shows, on merch websites and-guess what, punks?-you can make them yourself.
10. Number Ten: The Classic Punk Look. Ah, number ten, fairest of all punk looks. Guess what again, punks? You can even wear this one to your grandma's house without her chewing you out, probably. Blue jeans with the cuffs rolled up, a white T-shirt (no v-necks, ever!), and a pair of black and white Chucks or even Dock Martins if you're feeling ballsy make the perfect punk look, or greaser look.