On Being a Swedish greaser
by Swedegrease
When I was about nineteen I discovered one of my great passions in life — cowboy boots. Being a somewhat quiet and shy guy, the boots somehow helped me feel more secure, tall and confident. I kept on wearing them even when they came to be “out of style” as fashion goes. From the boots the next step was not long to buying a cool leather jacket and some nice tighter jeans.
After some years I moved to a new city were my wife and I had gotten new jobs. One day I met this guy through my job who had amazing python boots. We started to talk and got to knew each other. This guy was really into the 50s. The cars, the music, and the slick hair styles. Up till then I had not really cared about my hair, but the more I talked with him I got to be interested in doing something different with it. The guy gave me the name of his barber and on I went.
The barber must have understood what I wanted when I stepped in to his store in my boots and leather jacket, but he still asked me. When I said I wanted a 50’s cut he just smiled and went on, giving me the most fabulous cut. He turned up some 50s music and started talking. He taught me how I could comb my hair in different ways, showing me different products and lamented the fact that real pomade no longer is sold in Sweden. My hair was a bit too short to go all the way then, but he used a lot of products to really make it as slick and shiny as was possible then, and told me strictly not to cut it again for a couple of weeks and then to return to him. I looked at my self in the mirror – and got this strange rush – how tough I looked! This was great!
As my hair grew longer in the front, he was able to do more with it, and I myself grew to not being able to live without this new style of mine. I also grew longer sideburns and my barber cut them to a great rockabilly style. My wife was a bit sceptic to this old/new style at first, but now she can’t see me without it. Of course it takes some time in the morning to fix it up, and it is a constant struggle to find the right products for your hair. Here in Sweden this is a very unusual style, and since I unfortunately don't live in the same city as my first barber anymore, it is hard to find what I want. But I really want this now, and I can see how the whole thing is a concept — my boots, jeans, leather jacket, broad belt, T-shirt and the slick 50’s hairstyle.
A good thing is that, although I can't always wear the clothes [of this style] at work, none can complain on my well cut, slick hairstyle. So if I don’t comb my pomp up too big on work days I can wear it all the time! Great!
I dream that someone would start an “International greaser scholarship,” allowing us undeveloped greasers from the extreme north to go to places were there is a richer greaser culture, to get products, clothes, and boots to fit this magnificent style. Until then I'll just have to go on with what I can get my hands on here and dream...
To all greasers of the world who are misunderstood and struggling – keep on, and we'll see each other one day in greasers heaven!
| Editir's note: Look no more greasers of under-grease-priviledged nations of the word. Real greasers' grease is available for international shipment from the Grease Shop here on SlickVille. Please note that international shipping and handling is extra. U.S. postage is automatically added to your checkout, so therefore, you will be notified by e-mail of the added amount due before we ship your order. |
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