|
The ska fashion forum Stovepipes or checkers? Porkpies or plaid? The experts discuss mediated by RUPERT BOTTENBERG
Our panel includes The Kingpins' criminally dapper keyboardist Ian Hodkinson as well as Eastern Standard Time's drummer James MacDonald. We've also spoken to the trombonist of Johnny Too Bad and the Strikeouts, Mara Breen ("the Disco Queen"), and ex-Toaster Coolie Ranks, now with the Pilfers of New York City. 1. Basic ska dress for males Ian: "A Fred Perry-type polo shirt with a nice pair of pants. Not jeans, but something well-tapered like stovepipe pants. With a pair of Doc Marten's loafers and a pair of sunglasses. And a Harrington or James jacket for the outdoor fall look." Coolie: "Any damn thing you want. I've seen leather pants, plastic pants, chains around the neck, pointy shoes, sneakers, baggy pants, porkpie hats, baseball caps, woollen caps, ski masks..." James: "Underwear, at least. But you don't have to wear them if you have pants to clothe your loins." 2. Likewise, for the ladies Mara: "Short hair, skirts, sometimes little dresses, kinda '60s style." James: "It's more difficult to specify what women should wear, because you'll always get into trouble trying to make suggestions." Coolie: "Lingerie. Always lingerie."
Ian: "When an out-of-town band is playing, or you're going to a classier club like Club Soda." James: "When it's cooler, so that you don't sweat like crazy." Coolie: "When you're going to someone's wedding. Or funeral." 4. And casual attire? Ian: "When it's just a small local show, or you're just going out drinking with friends. Then, even jeans are acceptable." Coolie: "When you're going to someone's wedding. Or funeral."
Ian: "Every gentleman must have a lighter, because any truly stylish guy will always be ready to provide a lady with a light. Also, the ever-present James Bond-style cigarette case, which you should have even if you don't smoke, because it looks so damn cool." Mara: "Fishnets are fun. Hair scarves are nice, too." Coolie: "Dyeing of the hair. Punk it up. All the colours of the rainbow." James: "I'm sometimes guilty of this myself. If you wear sideburns, don't end up with something so bushy that it looks like you've cut off part of a beard. They get out of control and you start looking like Isaac Asimov." 6. Ska fashion faux pas Mara: "Fur. Checkers. Anything remotely hippie-esque. No Phish-head outfits, no Grateful Dead T-shirts, no Birkenstocks or whatnot. No suit jackets with shorts. And no mullets!" Ian: "The number-one thing is, if you're going to wear a suit, wear a suit. Go formal or casual, don't mix the two, like wearing a tie with a T-shirt. That just ends up looking tacky." James: "Do not dress all in checkers or plaid and think that people will regard you as cool, because it doesn't work that way. Also, I have seen people in those large, flowery, fluorescent-coloured pants that bunch up at the waist, with a wife-beater muscle shirt. That's not something that mixes well at a ska show." Coolie: "Nudity. Except on the females." The Kingpins launch Oi! Skampilation 3 with The Pilfers, Johnny Too Bad and the Strikeouts and Eastern Standard Time at the Spectrum on Saturday, Sept. 20. 8pm, $10. All ages. Fouf start their Ska Tuesdays on Sept. 30 with performances by Gangster Politics and Jabber. 8pm, $3 |
Ever since the rude boys of Jamaica's shantytowns elected James Bond as their signifier of style, sharp dressing and ska have been synonymous. In fact, good grooming is almost mandatory. And with so many ska shows rolling into town this fall, many neophytes may find themselves at a loss for what to wear. For example, the outfit one selects for the Kingpins' big Spectrum show or the forthcoming Ska Tuesdays at Fouf could be all wrong for an impromptu all-night Avengers-and-bourbon marathon at Bobby Beaton's pad. So to keep you on point, we've painstakingly rounded up representatives from four prominent ska acts to serve as advisors in the terribly important matter of suitable duds.
3. When is formal attire appropriate?
5. Suggestions on ska accesorizing