Men's LifeStyle Blog

One of the most popular subcultures in the UK is the Football Casual. It’s very popular

Not many people have heard of a football casual, and may who have assume it’s part of the culture of football hooliganism, which historically it was. But most violence has far removed from being a football fan. Being a football casual is about being a football fan and embracing that sense of identity. It’s a pretty big movement. More than 13 million people in the UK, go to football matches, mostly male, a large part of them feel some affinity to casual fashion.

The UK has always been at the forefront of youth subculture. Including Teddy Boy, Mods, rockers, skinhead and punk, and now, football casuals. It’s always been the next generation, showing their disdain for the mainstream establishment, and the casuals are no different. The only real difference is that this subculture is largely based on very specific designer brands.  

Football and fashion

The football can track its history back to the 1950’s when the Teddy boy movement was seen on the football terraces. This continued through to the late 1960s when it morphed into the skinhead movement. But this didn’t sit well with football fans at the time because, A) they were not political and skinheads at the time were, and B) hooligans at the time were easily identifiable. The skinhead “look” stood out and made it very easy for the Police.

Casuals get their own identity

The casual football fan wanted to move away from the skinhead subculture, but it wasn’t until the late 1970s when casual fashion found it’s own identity. The mighty Liverpool FC were the best team in Europe. Season after season the team, with their fans, travelled over Europe as they marched on to the final of the tournament.

It was these Liverpool fans who started visiting the boutiques of Europe and bringing back branded clothes to the UK. At the time, it was Lacoste and Sergio Tacchini. They wore these clothes almost like a badge of honour. “We are the fans that have followed Liverpool FC over land and sea”. The diehard fans.

Fans from other clubs very quickly followed suit. Even those from clubs that were not in Europe. It became the trend to wear designer clothes, from Europe, to show yourself as a “true fan”. They would go to France and Germany, just to buy the clothes which at the time, were really difficult to pick up in the UK because they were not the same brands you’d find in the Boutiques

of London.

It never looked back. Different fans connected with different clubs would prefer their own brands so they could recognize each other in cities that had several clubs, especially cities with rival clubs. At the time, hooliganism was rife, but for most, it was more than violence, it was about a sense of belonging.

TODAY’S FOOTBALL CASUAL

It’s been going on strong since. Right through the 90’s, which is when the subculture started creating their own brands to add the melting pot, to the present day, where it’s as strong as ever. And throughout that time, it’s become increasingly less about football violence and more about the fashion.

Today, young guys, aged in the 20’s and 30’s with plenty of expendable income embrace the fashion. You get to be “one of the lads” and be stylishly dressed. It reaches across socioeconomic class with young working class and professionals alike being part of the casual culture.  Right now, there’s a definite love for the retro casual. A homage to the 70s and 80s.

Some of the more popular brands of the football casual are:

Stone Island

Probably the most iconic, thanks to the emblem on the sleeve, Stone Island became popular in the 1990s and hasn’t looked back since. It’s usually the sweaters and coats that are the most popular items of clothing for this brand.

Fred Perry

One of the original brands, this classic tennis brand was first embraced by the skinhead movement in the late 60s before finding it’s way on the terraces. One of the more affordable brands, it’s very popular with newcomers to the movement.

C.P. Company

A real niche brand, C.P Company, is a little more subtle. No iconic emblem like Stone Island or

Lacoste have. It’s more about being in the know. Those who are football casuals will know, everyone else will just see a stylish man. These days, C.P Company is part of Stone Island.

Lacoste

When the Liverpool FC fans first went over to Europe and came back with brands they wore like a badge of honour, it was all about Lacoste. The logo is iconic as are Polo shirts. Today they are a massive part of the wardrobe of any self-respecting football casual.

Lyle & Scott

One of the classic retro brands from the 90s that is seeing a resurgence is Lyle & Scott. The Golden Eagle has a great look and is a firm favourite, especially the Polo shirt and sweater. It has that 90s feel still, which casuals love.  

Casuals have moved on from football violence. It’s about embracing fashion brands that have been part of the football community, showing their connection to football and an anti-establishment look that’s also fashionable.