Mod clothing is the sharp, tailored British style born in late-1950s/early-1960s London: slim-cut Italian-influenced suits, button-down shirts, Fred Perry polos, parkas (the famous fishtail M-51), Sta-Prest trousers and clean leather shoes or desert boots. "Mod" comes from "modernist," and the look is all about neat, fashion-forward detail, the style that later gave rise to the skinhead subculture.
What does a mod wear?
The classic mod wardrobe:
- Suits: slim-fitting, often three-button, Italian-cut tailoring.
- Shirts: button-down Oxfords (Ben Sherman is the icon) and Fred Perry polos.
- Trousers: Sta-Prest and slim tailored trousers.
- Outerwear: the fishtail parka (worn over the suit to protect it on the scooter) and the Harrington jacket.
- Footwear: desert boots, loafers, bowling shoes and Chelsea boots.
- Finishing touches: target/roundel motifs, slim ties, and a scooter (Vespa or Lambretta) if you're being authentic.
Where did mod come from?
Mod began among style-conscious young people in London at the end of the 1950s and peaked in the mid-1960s, built around modern jazz, R&B, soul and Italian fashion and scooters. As the original scene faded after 1966, a tougher "hard mod" offshoot emerged that became the skinhead subculture by around 1969, which is why mod, skinhead and ska clothing share so much DNA.
Mod vs skinhead clothing, what's the difference?
Mod is the elegant original; skinhead is the stripped-down, working-class descendant. Mods wore tailored suits and parkas and rode scooters; skinheads kept the sharp shirts (Ben Sherman, Fred Perry) but swapped elegance for boots, braces and a harder edge. Both still anchor the modern revival scene.
Related guides: Traditional Skinhead Clothing: The Complete Guide and Skinhead vs Ska vs Two-Tone: What’s the Difference?
FAQ
What's the difference between mod and skinhead?
Mod is the tailored, scooter-riding original from the early 1960s; skinhead is the harder, working-class offshoot from around 1969 that kept the sharp shirts but added boots and braces.
What jacket is associated with mods?
The fishtail parka (military M-51), worn over a suit to keep it clean while riding a scooter, is the signature mod jacket, alongside the Harrington.
Is Fred Perry a mod brand?
Fred Perry's twin-tipped polo is core to the mod look, but it's worn across mod, skinhead and casual scenes, it isn't exclusive to mod.
Where can I buy mod clothing in the UK?
Oxblood Clothing carries mod, skinhead and ska clothing online, and heritage mod staples come from Ben Sherman, Fred Perry, Merc London and Relco.
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