The research was a qualitative study of the dress of heavy metal (HM)
music groups using content analysis. The purpose was to examine dress
characteristics of a representative random sample of HM music groups. The
objectives were (a) to develop a classification system for HM music groups
based on time and subgenre, (b) to identify music groups within each cell (i.e.,
time and subgenre) of the classification system, and (c) to identify dress
characteristics of a representative random sample of the music groups.
The subjects in the study were HM music groups as pictured on albums.
The variables were the selected items of dress and the classification of the
groups by time and subgenre. A classification system was developed and used
for the selection of subjects. Using the HM Dress Classification Instrument
developed by the researcher, specific dress characteristics of twenty-four HM
music groups were identified. This data was compiled in tabular format.
Among the twenty-four HM groups, the predominant clothing was a black
woven shirt and black leather/suede pants. Clothing trim included studs,
motifs/designs, words and fringe. No visible jewelry was predominant. The
primary shoes observed were western boots. Straight, shoulder-length black or
blond hair with no head covering was predominant. Beards, makeup, tattooing,
and other forms of corporal adornment were observed. Although some dress
categories were dominated by single items, changes were observed across
time and subgenres. The data indicated rejection of the two null hypotheses.
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