What Is A New Romantic?

If I could choose one style and artistic trend of the 80's that I most connect with to this day, it would have to be that of the New Romantics. Most people in the U.S. most closely identify the New Romantic movement with the styling of bands such as Spandau Ballet, Adam Ant, and, of course, Duran Duran.

Here is one of D2's oldies but goodies, and its the one that most personifies their New Romantic image:




The New Romantic movement was a shortly-lived post-punk time in the early 80's wherein fashions harkened back to styles prevalent during the Romantic period in England (think Wordsworth and Lord Byron). In this subsection of early 80's New Wave culture, many British bands (this was predominantly a British phenomenon)donned frilly shirts, knee breeches, wigs (or real hair with the wild colors and 'presence' of Romantic era wigs), and makeup. It was a normal occurance for men of the period to don face powder and rouge on the lips and cheeks, presumably to give the impression of good health in an era plagued with ... well... plagues. So, the New Romantics, much in the same way that glam rockers became known for their bizarre face paint, became known for the use of cosmetics in an effort to conjur up the past as well as to put the spin of androgeny to the styling.

I love it. Will always love it. I also love reading books, watching movies, etc. from this era of history. As an English major, I read closely the complete works of Wordsworth, Byron, Shelley, and all those cool guys.

Even though my husband would look ridiculous in a frilly shirt, I swear, I will always fall for a guy that looks like the Scarlet Pimpernel.