Are subcultures a sign of revolt or an expression of style?

Hebdige noted that Punks presented themselves as de-generates, declaring they were expressing genuine aggression, frustration and anxiety. This backs up the idea that subcultures are a sign of revolt. The Punk movement emerged in 1976 amidst high unemployment, widespread violence, (most notably at the nottinghill carnival), and frustration. The movement was predominantly working class based.

Britains youth used the Punk movement as a way of declaring themselves different. they used evryday household items such as safety pins and toilent chains mixed with cheap clothing. this bricolage created different meanings for the items used, creating a sense of poverty being used to ones advantage as a method of standing out from the crowd. The use of these items could be percieved as an expression of style but ultimately i belive it was their meaning as well as their look that was being expressed for effect.