Stilyagi

Stilyagi (Russian: стиляги, the plural of "стиляга", stilyaga; lit. "stylish", "style hunter") was a derogatory appellation for members of a youth counterculture from the late 1940s until the early 1960s in the Soviet Union. Stilyagi were primarily distinguished by their snappy or fashionable clothing (considered contrary to the communist realities of the time), preferably of foreign label, acquired from fartsovshchiks, and their fascination with modern Western music and fashions (corresponding to that of the Beat Generation). English writings on Soviet culture variously translated the term as dandies, , beatniks, hipsters, zoot suiters, etc.

Today, the stilyagi are regarded as part of Russian historical social trends which further developed during the late Soviet era (notably the Stagnation Period) and allowed "informal" views on life, such as hippies, punks and rappers.

Their apolitical views, neutral or negative attitudes toward Soviet morality, and their open admiration of modern, especially American, lifestyles were key characteristics that slowly developed during the 1950s. At the dawn of the phenomenon, the stilyagi look was rather a caricature, inspired by movies from abroad of recent years. It resembled the zoot suit but combined different bright colors. By the late fifties, the look had evolved into something more elegant and stylish. Typical stilyagi wear included narrow pants, long jackets, narrow tie, bright color shirts and thick soled shoes.

Usually stilyagi enjoyed popular American music of the 1940s, especially swing and boogie-woogie, especially the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and the soundtrack from the film Sun Valley Serenade. The "serenade" instantly became a cult among stilyagi, and one of its songs, the famous "Chattanooga Choo Choo", served as their unofficial anthem. Stilyagi developed their own styles of dance originating from boogie-woogie and later also adopted rock-n-roll.

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Wikipedia