To differentiate themselves from mass culture and to challenge the system, starting from the second half of the twentieth century, groups of young people and adolescents, have been gathering together, preferring alternative lifestyles to the dominant ones. A form of protest, sometimes of cynicism, apathy or anarchy to demonstrate dissent to the social status quo. Each subculture is an expression of groups that share aesthetic, musical, stylistic and behavioral preferences, providing a sense of belonging to the members who are part of it. In particular, the aesthetic and stylistic profile is opposed to the dominant way of dressing, aiming for exclusivity and orienting itself instead around the idea of "anti-fashion". An example of this is punk culture, which, born as a niche movement, protest and rebellion in the 1970s, has continued to evolve, paradoxically becoming the expression of a social community that conforms in appearance and behavior... a real fashion. Among the most relevant subcultures, in addition to punk, we can mention hippie, mod, rocker, skinhead, emo, gabber, hipster culture, up to the more recent cosplay and otaku, born in Japan and arrived in the West thanks above all to the use of the Internet and social networks.
Below we present a list of books and e-books that deal with the theme of subcultures and youth cultures.
To delve deeper into the connection between fashion and subcultures, we suggest the Berg database, available at the following link:
bloomsbury subcultures