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The English football fan of the '80s and '90s smelled of terrace wear — the casual clothing that grew popular on the stands and went on to break down barriers that seemed almost impenetrable. British supporters of the era found in fashion a means of expression, a way of speaking without raising their voice, the real aim of which was actually to blend in — dressing comfortably and inconspicuously. The typical look was a sports jacket, narrow jeans and a pair of trainers. Various luxury brands with distinctive features — tartan patterns, for instance — were the leaders of British fashion, and the streets became the genuine catwalk of the working class.
Although there is some debate about the exact origins of the casual movement, there is broad agreement that its roots lie in cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Salford. In the late '70s and early '80s, two currents paved the way for the development of the casuals: the Scallies in Liverpool and the Perry Boys in Manchester and Salford. Both groups shared similarities in their dress, and Liverpool's young fans were already showing a keen interest in European sportswear. At the time, Liverpool were sweeping all before them in Europe, and the supporters who followed the club across the continent would return home with expensive European sportswear. These practices gradually spread until they reached every corner of England.
One of the key triggers for this phenomenon was a match in 1980 between Aberdeen and Liverpool. That day, Aberdeen supporters noticed that some of the Reds' fans were dressed in smart sportswear, designer jackets and trainers. This prompted Aberdeen fans to go shopping across Scotland in search of what would become their new look, their new skin. Coincidentally, Aberdeen under Sir Alex Ferguson were also enjoying European success, meaning their supporters could browse for new gear more easily in shops across the continent.
This movement, which kept growing and attracting followers, made its way into culture and music. In the early '90s electronic music began to take off, and the young casuals were filling dance floors across Britain. The casual legacy spread — popular bands like Happy Mondays were made up of ex-casuals dressed in the typical hooligan look. Groups such as Inspiral Carpets, The Charlatans and The Stone Roses were the heirs to that subculture born, raised and developed on the terraces of English football. Then Britpop swept the planet in the mid-'90s, amplifying the casual movement still further.
In October 1996, before Liam Gallagher took the stage at Maine Road alongside Oasis for one of the finest concerts of their career, he declared: "My style comes from football — from the casual scene at the grounds." That day Liam walked onstage in a tracksuit and trainers, a clear nod to his working-class roots. He remains true to himself to this day — a couple of years ago the artist put out a plea on social media asking for the return of a sports jacket that had been stolen from him at a hotel during Glastonbury.
That meteoric expansion of the casual movement — born in Manchester and Liverpool and spreading to thousands of people — has resurfaced today in trends like blokecore. These movements remind us that the football fan, passionate by nature, is proud of their aesthetic and wants to take it beyond the terraces. Merging football and fashion always sounds appealing — but it has to be done right.
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