The Skinhead Groups

A skinhead is a member of a subculture that originated among working class youths in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, and then spread to other parts of the world. Named for their close-cropped or shaven heads, the first skinheads were greatly influenced by West Indian (specifically Jamaican) rude boys and British mods, in terms of fashion, music and lifestyle. Originally, the skinhead subculture was primarily based on those elements, not politics or race. Since then, however, attitudes toward race and politics have become factors in which some skinheads align themselves. The political spectrum within the skinhead scene ranges from the far right to the far left, although many skinheads are apolitical. Fashion-wise, skinheads range from a clean-cut 1960s mod-influenced style to less-strict punk- and hardcore-influenced styles.


White power skinheads, , are known for wearing Dr. Martens or combat-style boots, flight jackets, jeans and suspenders (also known as braces). White power skinheads generally have more tattoos than the skinheads of the 1960s, and these tattoos often feature explicitly racist content. Some wear badges, chains or rings featuring Nazi or white power emblems In Germany, the Lonsdale clothing brand has been popular among some neo-Nazi skinheads.