The Totally Twee Look … How to be Twee
August 6th, 2008 -- Posted in Twee Fashion, Twee Music | 20 Comments »If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid ’80s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early ’80s such as Orange Juice and Josef K and the dominant UK independent band of the mid eighties, The Smiths. While the term ‘indie’ had been used for some time to describe artists on independent labels (and the labels themselves), the key moment in the naming of the genre was the release of NME’s C86 tape in 1986. Although featuring a wide range of bands including Primal Scream, The Pastels, and The Shop Assistants, it over time became shorthand for a genre known by a variety of terms. Initially it was dubbed ‘C86′ (after the tape itself), the more ambiguous Indiepop, Cutie or a term coined by John Peel: shambling bands.
Retrospectively the term; Twee was used, initially ironically, due to what commentators called the “revolt into childhood” of its followers.
Musically its key characteristics were jangling guitars, a love of sixties pop and often fey, innocent lyrics. A UK label, Sarah Records and its most popular band, The Field Mice, were probably its most typical proponents. Scenes later developed in the United States particularly around labels such as K Records. Genres such as Riot Grrrl and bands as diverse as Nirvana, Manic Street Preachers, and Belle and Sebastian have all acknowledged its influence.
In the mid to late 80s, indie pop was criticized for its tweeness and underachievement but many now argue that C86 and the birth of the genre was a pivotal moment for independent music in the UK. It continues to have a strong following and inspire musicians, not just in the UK but around the world with new labels, clubs and bands devoted to the sound.
The British definition of twee is overly precious or nice, excessively or affectedly quaint, sentimental or mawkish, sometimes coupled with words like nauseatingly. It appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century to mean something dainty or sweet, a girly and gushing word. It appears to have developed from tweet, not the noise a bird makes, but a childish attempt at saying sweet.
Twee pop has spun off into a fashion style too! Like most indie dress styles, it’s all about being yourself & comfortable with what you’re wearing. That being said, there are certain pieces that come up often in twee fashion. Scarves, home knit hats & mittens, polka dot patterns, stripes, BIG glasses, cardigans and bright, warm colors are the basics. Don’t forget to accessorize though! Little kid headbands, barrettes, hairpins, chunky plastic rings and pins printed with indie style cartoons are all fun ways to dress up an outfit (actually, the twee look is not unlike the geek or nerd look).
Get some tunes. There’s no point in being twee if you’ve never heard the music! Check out “Twee” by Tullycraft, “Six Layer Cake” by Unrest and “Let Me Go Home” by Camera Obscura to get a good idea of the sound. Be prepared to be humming silly tunes all day.
Twee is also a state of mind. Be happy! Pessimism has no place in twee. Always try to look on the bright side of things. That makes you genuinely twee. Don’t wear too much make-up. A little eye make-up is fine, but don’t overdo it.
Learn to knit! You’ll save tons of money! Try shopping at thrift & antique stores. You can find some really unique pieces for cheap if you don’t mind wearing used.
Bands to check out: Tullycraft, Beat Happening, Belle & Sebastian, Second Hand Furniture, Heavenly, Tiger Trap, Talulah Gosh, Komon, Camera Obscura, The Lucksmiths, 14 Iced Bears
Some Examples of the Totally Twee Look
Although he is an actor, and not associated with indie pop/twee music in any way, Urkle is the epitomy of twee fashion with his huge glasses, striped shirt, and overalls with suspenders.
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