Then, go for the details.

The skinny leg look prevails- clothing cuts must show your body but be slightly askew to have some edge.

Banish gold, go for chrome- Don't skimp, there is no such thing as too many heavy metal zippers or rows of silver studs.

Black opaque tights- Chop 'em off mid-calf to wear under a mini or pair them with any obviously offbeat white, red, or pink shoes.

Sensible shoes need not apply- Pointy flats, 60's spikes, dominatrix stilettos, pirate boots, two-tone big sole Elvis cockroach killers, bright Converse sneaks, or checkered Van's classics.

Kiss your flares good-bye- It's all about long and lean drain pipe pants. Go for leather, some bondage buckles, pirate stripes, or classic rock black super-skinny jeans.

The only thing girly is the girl- forget frou-frou, it's graphic muscle T's with dissident messages, like "rock the system" from JPG Jeans, or spray paint on your own personal graffiti.

Color is cool- Think puce, chartreuse, neon pink, clear red, dark turquoise, or royal blue always accented by black and a touch of white.

Systematically hacked hair with long, shaggy bangs, some rich pigment Manic Panic streaks, or a modern Mohawk.

Black eyeliner and a cool pair of shades for when the sun comes up.

A million rubber bracelets or studded wrist cuff.

Punk is all about making your own mark against the restrictions of the establishment. Whatever you wear, wear it with individuality! Rock on.


--April 27, 2003