Teddy Boys

Lesson Notes: Teddy Boys (1950s)

• Fashion based upon Edwardian dress, hence 'Teddy' Boys
• Sought to experiment with 'Dandy' fashion, appearances and practices as an antidote to poverty and poor life changes (Fyvel 1963)
• Enjoyed American Rock n' Roll music, idolising James Dean, Elvis Presley and Marlon Brando (Brake 1985)
• Believed in both, Narcissism and Dandyism at the same time
• Associated with violence derived from a 'Butch' dandyism, which sought to protect working class masculinity
• Compared to 'Flies'
• Referring to the Teddy Boys as 'those' or 'these' - classing them as things
• 'They need curing like an Illness' 

The Teddy Boys began to appear in the early 1950s on the streets of South and West London. Sometimes known also as the 'Edwardians' due to the time period, the Teddy Boys were a Dandified street gang. Their extravagant contrast of dress, either being an expensive Edwardian 'Ted' suit or 'drape' jackets made them popular subjects for the expanding media of magazines and television in the 1950s. However, the Teddy Boy became a media folk devil, spreading their image far beyond the original metropolitan gangs, until the Teddy Boy became a nation wide teenage style, being called the 'Teenage Terrorists' 


The adoption of upper class dress by working class youths was a defiant act, however, the exaggerated style of their dress also made them an easy target. The media constantly attempted to discredit the Teddy Boys by ridiculing their appearance, calling them such as a 'monkey in a drape'. With the representation of style in the earlier years, the Teddy Boy went through a third stage of a vintage or retro style. 

Evening Argues: 'Get Rid Of Them'

The article states the Teddy Boys as 'self-advertising nincompoops' This would suggest that the media suggests the dress and action of the Teddy Boys is ultimately down to attention. 'Nauseating' would furthermore represent peoples opinion of the boys, being that they are disgusting specimens, witnessing disgrace and embarrassment to the people of Brighton. Interlinking, this would see a decline in visitors to Brighton, as people wouldnt want to be in sight of this menacing figure. 

Sunday Chronicle: 'Gangs Menace Report'

The media used extreme words such as 'terrorised' and 'savaged' to exaggerate the actions of the Teddy Boys in the purpose of causing increased panic to the locals. Furthermore, many words with negative connotations were included, for example using 'thugs' or 'gangs' in place of the word group. The article word also suggest that the police came out in unusual numbers to deal with the Teddy Boys, portraying them as a strong force. This is additionally supported with the use of 'the Edwardians have the upper hand' and also 'The visiting gang from Southsea got the worst of it'. This lexis was used to portray the Teddy Boys as a folk devil, spreading the negative connotation nationwide.