1980s Mods, Mod Subculture & The Mod Revival

Jayne Thomas - Second Generation Mod Girl, August 1986

1980s Mods, Mod Subculture & The Mod Revival – 1980s Mod Girl Memories

To compliment this site, this section will concentrate on 1980s Mods, Mod Subculture & The Mod Revival. I will also continue to add posts related to some of my Mod memories of being a Mod girl in the 1980s.

1980s Mod Subculture Memories

So why am I including a section on my Mod memories? As a second generation Mod, some of my old Mod friends, tell me that they enjoy recollecting these times. Secondly as the years have passed although memories are still retained, sadly some of the memorabilia that went with them, has disappeared. But then it is now counting up to nearly 40 years ago! Therefore I personally believe this will evoke many happy recollections for those who were there at the time. It will also provide a personal chronicle which others with a interest may wish to access.  Hence why it is important to make an online document of my memories,

These posts will concentrate on

  • My personal memories of being a second generation Mod girl during the 1980s
  • Mod style adapted by the 1980s Mods
  • The music that is associated with being part of 1980s Mod subculture
  • Contributions from those who participated in in the 1980s Mod scene regarding their memories and lifestyle
  • My personal memories of being a second generation Mod girl during the 1980s

As I have saved the vast majority of my memorabilia relating to Mod culture and that of the 1980s Mod revival, I would like to share these with the reader. Included (but not limited) will be old articles, flyers, tickets and some photographs. These will be from my own personal collection from attending events, such as the CCI Mod rallies & Mod all-nighters.

Disco With Class - Rotherham Assembly Halls. Friday 28th February 1986
Disco With Class – Rotherham Assembly Halls. Friday 28th February, 1986

Mod Clothing & Fashion of The 1980s Mod Revival & Beyond

It is from the very first generation of Mods, that the firm foundations of a sharp Mod style were set in place. This being the original bench mark for such a high standard of clothing. The layout of the posts deal predominantly with specific items of clothing. This section includes my own particular memories of Mod style: one which I embrace and prefer today. Much of my clothing style – retained from the 1980s Mod girl look – continues to heavily inspire me and this will be reflected within my observations and discussions, along with a positive focus on the evolving styles adopted by the Mods of the present.

Mod Girls - Jayne Thomas & Vanessa Paxton Rotherham, October 1987
Jayne Thomas & Vanessa Paxton, Rotherham, October 1987. Copyright Jayne Thomas

Vintage Clothing, Bespoke Tailoring & The Influence of 1960s Mods

Additional posts will also discuss accessories that we associate with Mod. As well as these posts, these will also touch upon the area of bespoke tailoring. Another consideration will also be vintage clothing.

August Bank Holiday - 1987 C.C.I. Great Yarmouth Mod Rally. 1980s Mod Girls
August Bank Holiday – 1987 C.C.I. Great Yarmouth Mod Rally. 1980s Mod Girls. Copyright Jayne Thomas.

 

It’s sole purpose being the flawless style of the modernist, through the years along with its modern day relevance and appreciation.

1980s Mod Males
1980s Mod Males. May 1986, Adrian Ball, Paul Hamby & Brian Buckingham. Rotherham Assembly Rooms. Copyright Jayne Thomas.

 

It is this influential style; one that future generations would go on to adapt and evolve from – with their own personal touches – which I aim to celebrate and document. As with all posts on this site, I will provide references to further reading that may be of interest and value to the reader.

Sandra Hutchinson, original 1980s Mod Girl, leading the way in style in the 21st centrury.
Sandra Hutchinson, original 1980s Mod Girl. Photo kind permission of Sandra Hutchinson.

Music Associated with 1980s Mod Subculture

It is well noted that along with style, music very much played an integral part within 1980s Mod subculture. As with style, the music genres that the 1980s Mods adopted were very much based on that of their counterparts. This ranging from Modern Jazz to Soul, American rhythm and blues (R&B), Ska, Bluebeat and British Beat. Also many of us were introduced to bands and songs from the late 1970s / early 1980s Mod Revival. I personally believe that it is of huge importance to also chronicle this music within this section as well as on this site. Which I and other contributers have also included.

Internet Radio & Mixcloud - Rare Soul, Northern Soul, Vintage R&B &Mod Music Introduction

Contributions From 1980s Mods : Clothing, Music & Lifestyle.

Since this site began in July 2017, there have been various contributions from several 80s Mods who too have shared their memories, some of their own personal artefacts and images. Additionally they have shared a a select choice of their own memorable and Mod related music of that time. These articles being a key component of Soul and Mod. Even more-so within this section of the memories and nostalgia from the 1980s. A subject I firmly believe is wholly deserving of chronicling. These articles not only provide a snapshot of social history but equally capture what it was like to be part of a subculture that was special and unique, during the 1980s.

1980s Mod rallies cassette tape 2 - Scarborough CCI Mod Rally 1987
CCI Mod Rally – Scarborough 1987. Photo copyright & kind permission of Paul Stevens

 

Included below are some blog style postings regarding Mods and Mod subculture of the 1980s that have been added so far.

 

 

 

 

1980s Mod Rally Cassettes – Tape 1 – 60s Soul, Northern Soul, 60s R&B & Mod Music

1980s Mod Rallies Cassette Tape 2 – 60s Soul, 60s R&B, Northern Soul, Tamla Motown & Mod Music

My Mod Music Journey – Growing Up With Early Soul & 60s R&B

Jayne Thomas – The 1980s Mod Years Part 1

https://soulandmod.com/1980s-mod-years-part-1-mod-subculure-mod-revival/”

80s Mod Girl Memories – Some Of My Memorable Tracks That Remind Me Of Being An 80s Mod Girl – Part 1

Mod Websites, Blogs, Articles & Pages – Some Useful Links & Reading

DJ Alan Handscombe-McGrath

Tony Schokman – 80s London Mod & DJ

Bell Sheffield – The Memories Of An 80s Sheffield Mod

Nottingham Mod, Mark Crew Discusses His 1980s Mod Rally Tapes & Early Music Memories

Nottingham Mod, Mark Crew Discusses His 1980s Mod Rally Tapes & Early Music Memories – Part 2

Clelia Lucchitta – Italian Mod Girl Interview Part 1

Clelia Lucchitta – Italian Mod Girl Interview Part 2

Danny Coates – Newcastle Mod & DJ – Get Smarter & The Riviera Touch

Danny Coates – That Riviera Touch, South Shields & Get Smarter Mod Club, Gosforth

The Rimini Mod Scene Part 1

The Rimini Mod Scene Part 2

The Rimini Mod Scene Part 3 – Italo Adriani

The Rimini Mod Scene Part 4 – Andrea Mattioni

The Rimini Mod Scene Part 5 – Italo Adriani

The Rimini Mod Scene Part 6 – Francesco Lisi Scardavi

The Rimini Mod Scene Part 7 – Andrea Mattioni

 

I will over the course of time continue to add more articles to the 1980s Mod section. As with all posts on this site, I will provide references to further reading that may be of interest and value to the reader.

I hope you the reader, will enjoy reading my posts, as much as I enjoy writing them. Writing posts on this particular section for me will be a labour of love. I do like nostalgia, and to be honest, I know very few people who don’t. Enjoy!

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