Reposted from Newser
By Evann Gastaldo
Once scary, now stylish, skulls are trendy—and not just at Halloween
Skulls, once seen as sinister symbols, are now used on everything from children’s shirts to underwear. Sara Dickerman of Slate takes a look at how the trend developed:
In the 16th century, artists like Albrecht Dürer were still using skulls to remind people of their mortality.
French Pirate Emanuel Wynn was the first to use the skull-and-crossbones logo on his ship’s flag.
As skulls came to symbolize bravado, fighters—from US special operations to the Nazi SS—used them on uniforms.
Mourning jewelry was fashionable in the 19th century, and the “look” lived on thanks to bands like the Grateful Dead and Loree Rodkin, who launched a line of Goth jewelry in 1989.
Mexican art of smiling, dancing skulls, used to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, helped skulls become more widely accepted.
The skull became an icon in 1970s London counterculture, where Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood launched a series of skull-inspired punk gear.
Skulls became truly fashionable thanks to Alexander McQueen, whose scarves have been spotted on Kate Moss and the Olsen twins.
