Shop rebellious style at Coal Drops Yard

This season, post-punk has had a revival, and with it so has rebellious style. Think androgyny, muted tones paired with striking colour, shiny leather and lace – all pulled together for a grungy yet experimental look. Big brands and independent stores alike are emulating the individuality and creativity that has been taking over this season’s catwalk shows.

Coal Drops Yard at King’s Cross has curated 10 looks with stylist Michele Rafferty, starring the community from the local neighbourhood who embody rebellious style.

You can shop all these looks at Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross – a traffic-free shopping destination in central London – where you can find big brands and independent stores you won’t find anywhere else. Discover more about each look below.

Nathan, student, lives in King’s Cross

Jacket – LESTRANGE

Top – & Other Stories

Trousers – Rains

Coat – Rains

What do you love about your look and how does it make you feel?

I really like the juxtaposition of the transparent top with the iridescent trousers, and the combination makes me feel very confident.

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as post-punk, mixed with some feminine attributes.

How do your clothes represent your rebellious spirit?

My style is quite unconventional. And therefore, I feel like it’s quite bold and even rebellious. It evokes the rebel in me, it’s fun.

Extraordinary Style fashion Exhibition September 2023, in Coal Drops Yard, King's Cross

Find out more about Nathan's Look

Maya, lives in King’s Cross.

Skirt – & Other Stories

Belt – & Other Stories

Top – Beyond Retro

Jacket – Wolf & Badger

What do you love about your look and how does it make you feel?

It makes me feel confident. It makes me feel like a rock star. I love the faux fur look of the jacket. I also love the colour pink and I just feel cool in it.

How would you describe your style?

I honestly couldn’t describe my style because I seem to like different things at different times in my life and my style is just a daily form of expression for me.

How do your clothes represent your rebellious spirit?

My sense of experimentation is how I like to rebel. I know that I like doing things that might be hit or miss for other people. Sometimes I do things within my style that the general public might not feel too comfortable with or not necessarily like at first glance, and that’s how I like to be rebellious.

Find out more about Maya's Look

Jamie, works in King’s Cross

T-shirt & Jacket – Beyond Retro

Skirt – Ba&sh

What do you love about your look and how does it make you feel?

It just makes me feel really confident, like I’m ready to stamp on some people. But it also has an element of kitsch and it makes me feel a bit girly. I love the clash between the leather of the jacket and the sparkle of the skirt. And the fishnets bring it all together with that nice clash of texture.

How would you describe your style?

I think my personal style is kind of emotional for me. Like I see something and I cling on to it. It’s almost quite childish, but there’s always a lot of colour and a fair bit of skin on show as well.

How do you push boundaries with your style? How do your clothes represent your rebellious spirit?

I’ve always hated the rules that people make around fashion. So I love wearing skirts and I love getting my legs out and I love these little clips in my hair. I like experimenting with gender and that kind of thing.

Find out more about Jamie's Look

Yasmine, works in King’s Cross.

Blazer – & Other Stories

Jumper – American Vintage

T-Shirt – Beyond Retro

Skirt – Emin + Paul – In-store

What do you love about your look and how does it make you feel?

I love that this look actually fits my body because it’s sometimes difficult to get well-fitting clothes as a tall woman. I also really like that it’s quite casual and comfortable, but that it could easily go from a day to night look.

How would you describe your style?

I describe my style as utilitarian and practical. I like durable materials and things that are made really well and built to last. I like multi-purpose outfits rather than just trends that come and go.

How do your clothes represent your rebellious spirit?

I like to alter my clothes and incorporate other materials and textures into a chosen item. I enjoy taking well-made second-hand clothing and adapting it to my shape and my body, adding a DIY element to make it something unique.

Find out more about Yasmine's Look

Jake, student at CSM King’s Cross

Cargo trousers – Rains

T-shirt – Boutique by Shelter

Shirt – Universal Works

Cardigan – Universal Works

Beret – & Other Stories

What do you love about your look and how does it make you feel?

The main thing that I love about this outfit is how chaotic, creative and colourful it is. I just really enjoy wearing pieces that clash and have lots of patterns. It allows me to walk around feeling powerful knowing that I’m wearing stuff that really resonates with who I am.

How do you push boundaries with your style?

I like to push boundaries by wearing stuff that isn’t dictated by trends or things that I feel I should be influenced by.

How do your clothes represent your rebellious spirit?

I think my clothes represent my rebellious spirit in the sense that I’m not just going to wear what people expect me to wear. Having a rebellious spirit to me means getting up and putting on clothes that make you excited and happy to go out into the world. It’s about wearing stuff that is for yourself and then exuding that confidence.

Find out more about Jake's Look

Julie, works in Kings Cross.

Jacket – Emin + Paul

Shirt – Emin + Paul – In-store

Trousers – Emin + Paul

What do you love about your look and how does it make you feel?

I like this look because it fits with my old goth sensibility, but it also leans towards a bit of Japanese tailoring, which I also like. It also makes me feel slightly grown up at my age and it takes a lot to make me feel grown up.

How would you describe your style?

I am a card-carrying old goth, so I always wear a lot of black. However I’ve been pushed to wear a little white here and I actually love it.

How do your clothes represent your rebellious spirit?

My clothes represent my rebellious spirit because I think you should be able to wear what you want, whenever you want. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you are, what age you are, what size you are. I never want to fade.

Find out more about Julie's Look

Samuel, student at CSM King’s Cross

Coat – Emin & Paul – In-store

Top – Boutique by Shelter

Jeans – Blackhorse Lane Ateliers

What do you love about your look and how does it make you feel?

It is a very playful look, mixing textures and neutral colours. It also combines garments that are quite smart with things that are laid-back.

How would you describe your style?

I get most of my inspiration from bands that I listen to and subcultures that I relate to in London. I try to stay laid-back, looking down to earth, but with a touch of playfulness.

How do your clothes represent your rebellious spirit?

My clothes allow me to connect with people that I feel an affinity with, to communities that I share similar opinions and lifestyle choices with. My clothes align with my political outlook on life.

Find out more about Samuel's Look

Thomas, student in King’s Cross.

What do you love about your look and how does it make you feel?

This look makes me feel confident. I love the boldness, and I love the colours.

How would you describe your style?

I feel like my style is quite heavily utilitarian, very hard wearing, but I also try to add an edge of flamboyance to it.

How do your clothes represent your rebellious spirit?

I feel my clothes reflect my rebellious spirit because of the ever-changing nature of them – the rips, being covered in paint and stuff like that.

Find out more about Thomas's Look

Leo, works at King’s Cross.

Coat & Braces – Beyond Retro

Shirt A.P.C.

Tie – Universal Works

Jeans – Blackhorse Lane Ateliers.

Trench coat – Beyond Retro

What do you love about your look and how does it make you feel?

So this look makes me feel quite confident. The colours really pop and it’s just sort of fun.

How would you describe your style?

The way I describe my personal style is a bit punk inspired. I like any sort of workwear, anything that’s comfortable and that has some shine to it.

How do your clothes represent your rebellious spirit?

My clothes represent a sort of rebellious spirit in that they have that punk element. I wear stuff that makes me feel empowered and confident, and that is fun to wear.

Find out more about Leo's Look

Mozaika, works in King’s Cross.

Fishnets – Beyond Retro

Skirt – & Other Stories

Jumper – & Other Stories

What do you love about your look and how does it make you feel?

Well, first of all, it’s really cute. I feel great in it and it’s comfortable. It’s a perfect transitional outfit for autumn.

How would you describe your style?

I like to be comfortable in my clothes and I always like to pair my outfit with a piece of original, interesting jewellery.

How do your clothes represent your rebellious spirit?

I represent my rebellious spirit with my paintings that then influence my style and the way I dress. I also have piercings which I think reflects this too.