Saturday, August 17, 2013

Style Icons: Teddy Girls



after work, i'm ditching my dress  
& wearing this velvet tie & rolled-up pants

i'm hanging out with my girls 
& we're going to have a good time

we've booked ourselves a table corner 
to share gossip & music & chocolate bars   

then we'll turn the town, slick & dandy, 
with flat shoes, tailored coats flying, hair astray,  

the men can snicker all they want
but we girls have secrets we aren't sharing:   

we're peeling away boundaries & setting  
the sky as our limit while strutting   

cheeky as can be, rebellion a cool style 
when you're running with Teddy girls   


Posted for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Teddy GirlsThey were working class young women who dressed in neo-Edwardian fashions. The Teddy Girls were the first British female youth subculture and have remained historically almost invisible.
Shared with Poetry Pantry

Thanks for the visit ~

37 comments:

  1. Peel away! First the work clothes, then the sugar cravings, and then the social gaps to equality, and then ... who knew revolution could be so much fun?

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    1. As long as its not bloody, fine with me ~ Thanks Susan ~

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    2. I agree. Your poem keeps growing on me. All teen girls everywhere, maybe even me for a moment of solidarity ...

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  2. Love this stylish rebellion. I think we could learn from them..Thanks for taking part in the challenge!!

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  3. "we're peeling away boundaries & setting the sky as our limit" — yessss! I can relate to that. I'm glad young women did start standing up for themselves when I was still a little girl, so I got to grow up on the leading edge of WimzLib.
    K

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    1. Thanks Kay ~ When I look back now I can't imagine why we never wore pants & suits, they are comfy than skirts ~

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  4. but we girls have secrets we aren't sharing:

    I think that you have captured the essence of these girls in this single line.

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  5. I love this, Grace. I like the spirit of the "Teddy girls." They look like they are having a wonderful time!! This poem made me smile,

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  6. ha. i like the sass in this...the freedom and the empowerment as well....go get them and dont look back...rebellion with flare....sorry i missed this yesterday...somehow in hanging out with my boys i missed it....

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    1. No worries Brian ~ Thanks always for the visit and support ~

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  7. Great energy and mood in this poem! I like this!

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  8. This is just full of sass and I loved it. Reminds me of stories my mother would tell of times when women were always supposed to be in dresses, heels, and stockings.

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  9. Peel each thing away and fun and fancy free one can play. Until the next day, when back we go to the work bay

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  10. loved the historical info, Grace

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  11. You have found the precursors to the women's movement that began in the 60's and 70's. I loved the innocence of your poem and depiction of what may have been a gentler time!

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  12. The very first para touched the chord....and this went till the last.Great energy and spirits depicted here...mesmerizing teddy girls :)
    Lovely...

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  13. This is "cool." I can even see you - some time ago. What a marvelous picture.

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  14. yes, the men often laugh...it is a defense against those secrets they will never know

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  15. The first British female youth subculture - sound like my kinda gals!

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  16. I had not heard about this until I read the prompt--very cool write and very cool idea for a prompt!

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  17. Seems as if you have definitely captured their essence!

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  18. I felt a nice cadence as I read this...really enjoyable,
    sort of musical...probably un-Teddy like..too sweet.
    You, in my thinking nicely captured the essence of the
    time and the Teddy girls.
    Thank you,
    Siggi

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  19. Grace, I like strutting rhythm of poem,as if selecting the rocks to throw...:)

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  20. I need to share this with my daughter. She will love it! As always, thank you! Have a beautiful week!!

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  21. Grins, Grace - you caught the picture with your pen ~ M

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  22. Ah..this reminds me of my not-so secret longing - a time out with female friends. Even when a husband is great, the company of best friends is special and different. For one, it is nicer to chat with female friends about certain things. :-)

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  23. Oh those days of freedom and enjoyment when all was an adventure. Perhaps it is never too late!! Great work,

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  24. love this freedom and the line 'but we girls have secrets we aren't sharing:'

    nicely done.

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  25. ...well their styles are bouncing back today... and hey, women are more powerful & dominating nowadays i guess... in my opinion girls are always complicated and now...with secrets...ha... smiles... peace...

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  26. Ah, their secrets... the most intriguing part of any of us women! I wish I had been around then, both the time and in Britain! Nicely done, hon. Amy

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  27. Freedom has a path to it named rebellion.

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