Untitled Slide

The term ‘Beat Generation’ was first coined by Jack Kerouac as early as 1948 to describe the group he was hanging out with in New York. He used this term to mean down-trodden, he saw a connection between his generation and the "Lost Generation" of the First World War. Writers, poets, musicians and artists began to express themselves in this cool 50's youth culture.

Beatniks wore wore all black, women wore capri pants or leggings, black turtleneck sweaters, heavy eye makeup and smoked. They wore flats and had long straight hair. The collection by Victoria Beckham has the spirit of the beat counterculture. The black simple clothing with tight jean leggings mimic the beatnik look.

Audrey Hepburn, in the movie "Funny Face" wore the costume that represented the beat generation. They hung out in coffee shops playing bongos and reciting poetry. They rejected the traditional rules of society, including the way they dressed. Men wore tight cotton shirts, berets and scarves. Turtlenecks or horizontal striped shirts that emerged as a stereotypical piece of clothing for male beatniks. Plain sweaters with no design were also a classic beatnik look.

Berets and scarves were the accessories of choice for the beat men and women. In Victoria, by Victoria Beckham's FW 2013 collection she gives her models the cool beatnik look in the minimal style and hip young look with a take on the beret. 1950's beatnik style's cool cats are still inspirational even today.

Citations

• www.allenginsberg.org
• Victoria Beckam FW 2013 www.style.com
• Audrey Hepburn www.jenselk.com/