Mod (shortened from the word modernist ) is a subculture that originated in London, England, in the late 1950s and peaked in the early-to-mid 1960s.
Significant elements of the mod subculture include fashion often tailor-made suits, music, including African American soul, Jamaican ska, British beat music, and R&B; and motor scooters. The original mod scene was also associated with all-night dancing at clubs. From the mid-to-late 1960s and onwards, the mass media often used the term mod in a wider sense to describe anything that was believed to be popular, or fashionable
The Subculture grew in a difficult economic condition, but The Mods still need to maintain their perfection of personal style and fashion. The youths of the early 1960s were one of the first generations that did not have to contribute their money from after-school jobs to the family finances. As mod teens and young adults began using their disposable income to buy stylish clothes. Sometimes people call them "fashion-obsessed and hedonistic cult of the hyper-cool" or "swinging London".
Many Mods used a scooters for transportation, usually Vespas or Lambrettas. Scooters had provided inexpensive transportation for decades before the development of the mod subculture, but the mods stood out in the way that they treated the vehicle as a fashion accessory.
From the mid-to-late 1960s the media often used the term mod in a wider sense to describe anything that was believed to be popular, fashionable, or modern. Steve Sparks, who claims to be one of the original mods, agrees that before mod became commercialized, it was essentially an extension of the beatnik culture: "It comes from ‘modernist’, it was to do with modern jazz and to do with sarte and existentialism”, Sparks argues
that "Mod has been much misunderstood... as this working-class, scooter-riding precursor of skinheads.”
Coffee bars were attractive to youths, because in contrast to typical British pubs, which closed at about 11 pm, they were open until the early hours of the morning. Coffee bars had jukeboxes, which in some cases reserved some of the space in the machines for the students to play their own records.
The Mod boys spend their money so they could appear as dandy as possible. Riding a scooter is one of the important points that become part of their wardrobe as well. The Mod boys always have a style that is neat, clean, and simple and boyish look for his girlfriend. The Mod girls as well so even if they do not have to have a scooter. Mod girls wore dress with a slightly masculine lines and cut their hair short, while the Mod boys wearing make-up and sometimes also carry handbags. At that time the girl does not look as sex objects, they are just "part of the gang" with the boyfriend.
These are the different sub cultures with in the Mod culture
1. The Art school or high camp version: exploring new image of the style of a guy who is far from clumsiness and masculinity, they are very dressed-up and Often wear make-up and carrying handbags.
2. Mainstream mods: they wear a suit or suits are neat and clean, straight-jacket and pants, pointed shoes, accompanied by a girl with short hair, around the clubs show off their clothes and show the new dance styles.
3. Scooter boys: they wear suits and coats at night, wide jeans and canvas shoes. Do not miss their Italian scooter in the working class is like a sports-car.
4. Hard mods (Skinheads) : sported wearing jeans with the bottom stratum, and wear boots. Skinheads sourced from here that the end of the 60s.
Mod is living, breathing art. The subconscious mind in plain sight for all to see. A bold vision and screaming light of colour. Mod represents a revolutionary period when civil rights were being fought for, wars were being protested against, and people of all walks of life wanted a say in their democratic societies. Mod is taking a stand for individuality.
Mods were a
