September 1st, 2008 by New York Threads

“One, two, three o’clock, four o’clock rock. Five, six, seven o’clock, eight o’clock rock. We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight…” recorded with its distinctive slap-back tape echo effect brings to mind images of 1950’s rockabilly fame. Flamboyant hairstyles, greased and slicked back hair laden with globs of pomade, strips of sideburns framing the face, slim tight plants, thin neckties, bowling shirts, leather jackets, poodle skirts, horn-rimmed glasses, capris, and hot pants – these are rockabilly fashion must-haves. Well into the 2000’s, any Elvis Presley or Bill Haley wannabe can get rockabilly clothes for cheap prices.

Local thrift stores and vintage shops are the most convenient and practical source of rockabilly clothes for cheap rates. Castaways of authentic 50’s and 60’s garb can be found lurking in the corners of these stores. Whether you are looking for that femme fatale glamorous crinoline dresses or that ultra masculine black leather biker jacket, your local thrift and vintage stores could be a treasure trove of authentic rockabilly clothes for cheap.

If you are working with a rock-bottom budget, you can go around and ask relatives or neighbors for their old 50’s and 60’s clothes. Much might have to be done by way of restoring these articles of clothing to wearable state, but with a little bit of washing or airing, fluffing and maybe a little bit of sewing, you can get great rockabilly clothes for cheap. All you have to spend for, especially if you are doing the restoration yourself, are cleaning and washing supplies, and a few embellishing materials if you wish to freshen up the look a bit.

It might be difficult to get full outfits from one store. The trick is to check out the internet or your magazines to get a photograph of the look you want. Then, you can scour the stores and look for rockabilly clothes for cheap. Look for items that you can mix and match – blouses with structured silhouette may be paired with the basic pencil skirts, spiffy bowling shirts are nice with a long and slim dark pants. Once you have all the elements of your rockabilly outfit, you can work on your hair and make-up using your photograph as a guide.

You can jazz up your rockabilly look with accessories that say “I’m ready to rock!.” Online internet shop Onlinebargains4u offers rockabilly belts, watches and accessories at very low prices. Leather belts studded with metal studs of various designs sell for about $10 each. Cuff watches made with leather cuffs and metal trimmings like silver snaps and studs retail for around $25 apiece.

Rockabilly is more than just wearing the right clothes. Rockabilly is the look, the lifestyle, the attitude. With the right attitude, you can pull off the rockabilly look without spending a fortune. There are various options on getting rockabilly clothes for cheap. Just a couple of key pieces of rockabilly clothes, globs of hair styling gel and cans of hairspray, and the right swagger — and you are ready to strut your rockabilly stuff.

Skull Tattoo Punk Goth Emo Rockabilly Mini Dress S/M US $16.52 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:21:59 PST Add to watch list

VTG ROCKABILLY HOUNDSTOOTH HALTER DRESS PARTY PROM S US $14.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:25:23 PST Add to watch list

Sexy Pinup 50 s Rockabilly Stop Staring Style Dress New US $68.88 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:29:35 PST Add to watch list

Sexy Pinup 50 s Rockabilly Stop Staring Style Dress New US $59.69 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:30:36 PST Add to watch list

Sexy Pinup 50 s Rockabilly Stop Staring Style Dress New US $78.06 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:31:35 PST Add to watch list

Sexy Pinup Rockabilly Stop Staring Style Dress New 16 US $68.88 (3 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:32:31 PST Add to watch list

DRESS VTG ROCKABILLY KHAKI LEOPARD PSYCHOBILLY WIGGLE L US $19.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:42:30 PST Add to watch list

BURLESQUE SEXY RED POLKA DOT SINGLET TOP ROCKABILLY 8 US $18.36 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:46:07 PST Add to watch list

Rockabilly western plaid check buffalo shirt tunic S US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:46:22 PST Add to watch list

New Indie Rockabilly Long Sleeve Black Cardigan Shirt S US $14.96 (2 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:46:47 PST Add to watch list

skull biker prop rockabilly hip hop wallet jean chain US $15.99 End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:54:18 PST Add to watch list

Rockabilly Cupcake Icecream Vtg Pinup 50s Swing Dress M US $36.73 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:54:24 PST Add to watch list

Vtg Retro Rockabilly Bow Leopard Wiggle Pencil Dress S US $16.52 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 3:55:43 PST Add to watch list

Skull Roses Punk Emo Rockabilly Pinup 50s Swing Dress M US $36.73 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:14:04 PST Add to watch list

Sexy Punk Rockabilly Psychobilly Leopard Wiggle Dress M US $21.12 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:15:29 PST Add to watch list

Sexy Punk Rockabilly Psychobilly Leopard Wiggle Dress M US $21.12 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:15:49 PST Add to watch list

Sailor Tattoo Rockabilly Vtg Pinup 50s Halter Dress S US $36.73 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:16:49 PST Add to watch list

Rockabilly Monroe Halter Polka Dot Pinup 50s Dress L US $36.73 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:16:55 PST Add to watch list

Psychobilly Vtg Western Rockabilly Punk Emo MEN Shirt M US $18.36 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:20:12 PST Add to watch list

Psychobilly Vtg Western Rockabilly Punk Emo MEN Shirt L US $18.36 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:20:17 PST Add to watch list

ROCKABILLY PUNK LEOPARD WHITE PENCIL SKIRT 28" WAIST M US $12.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:26:50 PST Add to watch list

ROCKABILLY PUNK ROCK BABY™Emo Tattoo TANK TOP SHIRT S/M US $45.83 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:30:52 PST Add to watch list

VTG PENDLETON wool shadowplaid rockabilly shirt jac M * US $45.00 End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:41:46 PST Add to watch list

Vtg wms heels~HPLA~Rockabilly 7 Suede,Fringe,Turquoise US $19.99 End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 4:52:17 PST Add to watch list

New WESTERN Plaid CowBoy RockaBilly Shirt vTg Punk M US $20.99 End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 5:02:10 PST Add to watch list

vintage WESTERN PEARL SNAP rockabilly cowboy shirt M US $6.50 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 5:08:09 PST Add to watch list

vintage WESTERN PEARL SNAP rockabilly cowboy shirt M US $28.00 (7 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 5:09:10 PST Add to watch list

vintage WESTERN PEARL SNAP rockabilly cowboy shirt S US $7.10 (2 Bids) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 5:10:11 PST Add to watch list

Volume One Halter Dress S Black Pink Rockabilly Retro US $7.99 End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 5:15:22 PST Add to watch list

WESTERN Snap CowBoy Rockabilly VTG Rock Shirt Olive XS US $24.99 End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 5:17:13 PST Add to watch list