The Totally Twee Look … How to be Twee
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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.
Music to listen to: Pipas
August 06 2008 05:11 am | Twee Fashion and Twee Music
August 5th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
now I know where gay came from.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I love it! I have been desperately searching for happy, positive, light-hearted music. Thank you! I am adding this to my blogroll!!!
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August 5th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
i hope that was a fucking joke.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Ok the girls look cute but the guys are going to deserve it when they get punched in the face.
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August 5th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Holy Gayness you are a homophobe and most likely have herpes. Us gays wouldn’t be caught dead in that dippy looking crap, so assess the blame where it should go, with you damn straight breeders. As a whole, you straight people have no sense of style. A blind gay could put together an outfit with more flair and aesthetic than you any day. Why don’t you just go and watch Two and Half Men on CBS or whatever lame shows you straights watch!
August 5th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Hey! I used to have a scarf like those seat covers!
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August 5th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Most of these styles are straight up ugly. Especially a guy with a hair clip…sooooo fug and stupid!! These people look like they raided their unfashionable grandma’s closet. And wtf is that holly homemaker wearing with that patch quilt dress in front of the fridge? Please don’t tell me you seriously consider this fashionable. ugh!
August 6th, 2008 at 12:03 am
So by twee you mean hipster. There’s nothing different. Maybe a little more “dance music.” HIPSTER nonetheless.
August 6th, 2008 at 3:03 am
It’s like hipster except worse. What the #@4% is this &%$#?!
August 6th, 2008 at 3:32 am
If there was ever a reason to make murder legal, the people on this site or it.
August 6th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Glorified “Boho” Hipster.
August 6th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
[...] How to Look Twee. And maybe become a Manic Pixie Dream Girl! [...]
August 6th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Um, this isn’t very twee.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:55 am
Way to miss the point.
Twee is just a buzzword. Don’t be dumb.
The idea of twee is just a reaction to all of the heavy music and art out there that takes itself so serious in an era where art needs to remember it’s great offering of escape. In perhaps the worst decade for boring spoiled white westerners in several decades, twee is a natural reaction to living in Pepsi Presents New Shitburgh Eternal. People are so sick of serious and stoic Slugs and Gerald Ways and 50 Cents of the world. No surprise that the twee marker is finding it’s way to even dull flyover staters eager to co-opt and franchise.
Tell the truth, did this used to be your “How To Look Totally Emo” before you outgrew that?
I’ma call your Tweemo from now on, Kid.
Peace.
August 7th, 2008 at 6:27 am
i wish they all go to my school so i could bitchslap them and make them all cry. Btw, the statement that twee = happy = positive, blahblah… is so totally wrong. You do realize that not all tiger trap or beat happening stuffs is about sharing ice creams in the park in summer, dont you?
sometimes its about hiding bodies…after sharing ice creams in the park in summer.
August 8th, 2008 at 2:27 am
ever been to asheville, nc? everyone dresses like this. it is called hippie chic or emo. if you like dressing like this you should move to asheville. you would fit in and lose all uniqueness.
August 8th, 2008 at 3:49 am
How can you all be so heartless about this. Just because you have no concept of individual originality and style doesn’t mean other people can’t. I mean, I’m not “twee”, but it seems nice. And what is your problem about the whole “gay” thing. Gayness isn’t bad, it’s just different.
August 9th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I think its perfect. But my opinion is still you need to think on your comment.
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August 19th, 2008 at 3:38 am
Isn’t that like…I dunno…emo?
September 7th, 2008 at 5:01 am
You guys are so stupid.. Twee has been around since the mid 80’s… Years before “hipster” was even a word… And who says they are trying to be fashionable? If you ask me they are anti-fashion, which is a good thing in my opinion. It seems to be more about dressing for comfort.