#13: Greasers in New York City

The term “greaser” is often associated with the popular, wonderfully cheesy film Grease from 1978. However, greasers were around way before the style became a mainstream part of popular culture. Greasers were a subculture that emerged in the 1950s and ‘60s. The greaser aesthetic and subculture arose as a result of post-war disillusionment among working class youth. 

This group of greasers was photographed hanging out in Central Park, New York City, sometime in the 1950s. We have to admit that they look pretty darn cool, if not totally intimidating. The slicked-back hair, leather jackets, and cuffed jeans were always on the cutting edge of style. Interestingly, the term “greaser” is most likely a reclamation of a derogatory term used against Italian, Greek, and Hispanic men. This subculture stuck its nose up at stereotypes and turned them on their heads.