How to Be Punk

You don’t have to have something to rebel against to be a punk—you just have to look like you do.

Instructions

Step 1: Pick a punk subculture Pick a punk subculture. There’s strait-edge punk, glam punk, crust, Ska-punk, skinhead, skater-punk, pop-punk, goth-punk, bubblegum punk.
Step 2: Play punk music Play punk music—loudly. There’s classic punk, like The Ramones and The Sex Pistols, and current punk, like Blink 182 or Good Charlotte.
Step 3: Wear punk clothing Wear punk clothing: Horizontally-striped shirts, leopard print tights in candy colors, super skinny jeans, tight tees printed with names of obscure bands, and black leather.
Step 4: Accessorize Accessorize with safety pins, lots of zippers, spiked wrist bands, bondage buckles, bullet belts, chokers, and chains.
Step 5: Wear punk shoes Wear Converse high tops, checkered Van’s classic slip-ons, or combat boots.
TIP: Go to Google Images and punk clothing websites for ideas.
Step 6: Get a punk hairstyle Have your hair cut into a Mohawk and dyed in different rainbow colors. Or shave your head.
Step 7: Pierce yourself Have something on your face and body pierced. Lips and nipples are popular areas.
TIP: Female punks wear colorful makeup, and lots of it. Female punks wear colorful makeup, and lots of it.
Step 8: Get a tattoo Get a tattoo—preferably of a punk band, an anarchy symbol, skull and crossbones, or anything that symbolizes rebellion. Place it anywhere on your body—the more surprising the location, the better.
Step 9: Meet your peeps Meet your peeps at punk rock concerts and look angry—or just hang out in public somewhere, looking bored.
FACT: The popular ‘70’s group The Ramones is widely considered to be the first punk rock band.