Not sure Ben Sherman is the body I would expect to write a book on style over the past half decade, but that’s what it has done with 50 Years of British Style Culture 1963 – 2013 by Josh Sims. Perhaps for good reason.
The book has been produced to coincide with Ben Sherman’s 50th anniversary, hence the time period. The book is said to trace British menswear from the ‘first real movements’ that saw the youth taking their lead not from their fathers, but from other cultural cues.
So we’re kicking off (despite the title) in the mid-1950s with teddy boys, taking in five decades of fashion, music and politics, along with the movements defined by the eras – mods, northern soulies, punks, skinheads, two tone, you get the idea. Photos too, some of which are featured here.
As this is a Ben Sherman book, it also includes something on the history of the label and Ben Sherman himself. That could be interesting if done properly. Anything from the last few decades (or indeed, now) I’d happily give a miss.
As you might have guessed, I’ve yet to see a copy – the best place to flick through it, you suspect, is a Ben Sherman shop, which is where you can buy it from. The hardback book will sell for £30, with a special limited edition with slipcase and numbered 1 to 500 yours for a hefty £50.
If you can’t get into the store, it’s also for sale at the Ben Sherman website from tomorrow (7th February 2013).
