A costume idea for Halloween, costume or theme party that is suitable for both men and women is that of the punk rocker. The punk subculture is strongly associated with punk rock music which emerged in the mid Seventies in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia, although each country claims to have been the original home. Punk rock tends to be heavy on distorted guitars and heavy drumming, with the songs being quite short and with the lyrics expressing the ideologies of the punk movement. The vocals of many songs, especially the backup vocals, were often less sung than they were shouted. Somme bands would also incorporate elements of other musical genres. Punk rock was commonly self-published, or published with indie labels, in its early days, and this trend still continues with self-publishing over the internet.

There are actually a range of different groupings that all come under the punk label, as the sound has evolved over the years. As the sound evolved, so has the fashion, as the punk fashion of the 1980s was different to that of the 1970s and it continues to develop today.

Punk clothing was often hand embellished and, like the music itself, featured a strong DIY ethic, which also continues. Clothing would be embellished with metal studs and spikes, pins and buttons and patches and slogans. Early fashion tended to use deliberately offensive images, although some of these quickly became unpopular with punk’s frequent anti-racism. Some of the more unusual items of punk fashion included making skirts out of black garbage bags. Worn, cheap, used, torn, or sometimes dirty clothing have also been seen in punk fashion. Clothes in general would lack the bright colours found in other scenes, such as disco.

Both men and women would wear similar clothing, although women would frequently wear something feminine together with something definitely not, such as fishnet tights with stompy boots.

Start with the Head

In general, hair was shorter, replacing the hippie look, and less styled than disco, but there were various hairstyles that were popular that were definitely stand out. Mohawks and spiked hair are suitable styles, in both of these cases the hair was often also dyed, and in unnatural colours, such as purples, reds and oranges. Costume wigs are available, for those who don’t want to go such measures that extreme with their hair.

Heavy eyeliner was popular with both men and women.

The Body

Leather jackets, customised blazers and dress shirts, all of which would be covered with slogans, controversial images, pins, buttons and patches, perhaps with metal spikes as well. Under the jacket or shirt would be worn a T-shirt, often deliberately offensive, although this may need toning down depending on where the costume is being worn.

Safety pins and tape would be used to hold together deliberately torn clothing, or for those not wishing to deliberately destroy their clothes, could simply be used with undamaged clothing to create the appearance of damage.

For the legs, things such as tapered jeans, tight leather trousers and leopard pattern trousers are suitable choices for both sexes. Women may alternatively use something like the mentioned fishnet tights together with a skirt of some description, such as a tutu or maybe a garbage bag skirt.

Garbage bags can be used to accessorise any part of the body, perhaps being worn like a t-shirt, with holes cut out of them for arms.

The Feet

Boots were popular for the feet, including Dr. Martens, military and motorcycle boots. Another possible item of footwear is the brothel creeper.

Accessories

Piercings are an integral part of punk fashion, especially for women. Unless you already have a lot of piercings, getting some new, genuine piercings is probably further than you want to go.

Jewellery as a whole was not what would be considered jewellery. This would include things such as safety pins in body piercings as well as razor blades, although the latter is a bit unsafe and genuine blades should probably be avoided. Spiked bands around the wrist, usually leather with metal studs on them, and something similar as a belt. Various chains would also be worn, either attached to the clothing or as jewellery. These are not jewellery chains of gold or other precious metals, but simple, linked steel chains.

Pins and badges are another element, if they have not already been incorporated into the clothes elsewhere.