The 50's "Beatnik" Look

[Naama]

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]

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]

lovely pictures, thanks for posting

 

[AudreyH]

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]

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]

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

I want my mom's boots!

 

[cherry lips]

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

 

[Foofoogal]

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

I can dig it..lol

 

[Tigerlily]

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]

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]

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

 

[dhermann1]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

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

 

[Jacqui]

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]

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.