Kings of Vintage: How to get the mod look

The mod image continues to be a popular retro look for male celebrities, vintage enthusiasts and- of course- those that have followed the look for a lifetime. Inspired by the National Portrait Gallery’s recent Sixties exhibition and his hometown of Brighton, George Walker guides you Kings of Vintage on how to get suited and booted in the best mod gear around.

 ”Look, I don’t wanna be the same as everybody else. That’s why I’m a mod, see?” -These words, said by the character of Jimmy in the iconic mod film Quadrophenia, perhaps best sum up the story behind the mod look. Mod culture was all about rejecting the old for the new, the conservative for the reckless and the unfashionable for the clean-cut and stylish.

Mod clothing has always been a popular vintage staple because it offers a great balance between business clothing and casual wear. Night out clubbing? Get yourself a knitted polo shirt and some Chelsea boots. More of a formal affair? Slip on a figure-hugging Sixties tonic suit, checked shirt and knitted tie. The mod look certainly has a set formula, but it never feels like fancy dress.

Jump the Gun is a shop dedicated to men’s mod clothing in Brighton, the seaside town that served as the setting for the reckless mod-sters in Quadrophenia. I asked owner of Jump the Gun, Adam Le Roy, why he chose to focus his business on such a specific clothing style.

“This look” he said “will always stay in fashion to a degree, especially with the slimmer man who is after clothes that fit. It is all pretty timeless because it’s based on traditional garments such as suits and shirts.”

Adam says the team’s style icons include Michael Caine as ‘Harry Palmer’, John Steed, Steve McQueen and Steve Marriot, but, he adds: “This is a difficult question for us as we never really refer to icons. The man in the street can look as good as Sean Connery in Goldfinger if he has the right suit on.”

We at QueensOfVintage.com certainly think that any bloke should try out mod style at least once- so let us guide you through some hints and tips about how to gather some authentic mod garb.

 

 

 

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Tags: 60s, Kings of Vintage, mens wear, mod, Sixties, vintage

Category: 1960s, Culture, Kings of Vintage