Renegade: A person who deserts a party or principle (Oxford English Dictionary)

Dress is the most visible form of personal consent or protest. Throughout history groups of people have actively rejected the prevailing fashion to announce their alternative lifestyle and politics.

Since the social changes of the 1950s, young people have increasingly used clothing as a means of rebellion. At first there were few alternative street styles; the most notable were Teddy Boys and Rockers. Now there are many, of which some are new, some are revival and some mix elements from more than one style.

	Teddy Boys at the Teddy Boy Weekender Great Yarmouth, 1999 (Photo: Angela Charles)

Brighton & Hove City Museums' costume collection includes clothes chosen and worn by individuals belonging to a specific group or subculture.

Each outfit is a statement of self-expression chosen by one person, but at the same time can be clearly identified with a particular group.

The outfits are accompanied by a wealth of interviews, photographs and ephemera related to each group or subculture.