THE HAIRSTYLE.....
This was the most defining feature of the Sharpie. At the height of the Sharpie era, 1972 - 1977, the haircut was at its most extreme and unique - being cut really short (crew cut) top and sides with length remaining at the nape of the neck (tails) giving a noticeable distinction between the top and tails. A fully committed Sharp would embrace this hairstyle and take on the responsibility and attention that came with it, a lot of that attention being unwanted - from the Police, other Sharp gangs, bikies, rockers, long hairs and the public in general. Any Sharp with this distinctive look was recognized as a Sharpie no matter what they were wearing or where they were, so the attention was always present. There were many 'weekend Sharpies' who would dress the part to hang out with the Sharps but would not cut their hair in the true Sharpie fashion, due to family, school, work, or they were just not willing to take on the stigma and attention that it drew. Come sunday night, and out would come the earrings, off with the platform shoes and connie (Sharpie cardigan) and transform back into a mainstream youth, acceptable to society. (Peter Brookes)
