What was a casual in the 80s?
The distinctive subculture of '80s Casuals originated from the vibrant mix of British football and music scenes during the 1980s, primarily thriving in the working-class hubs of Manchester and Liverpool. This trend saw football enthusiasts embracing the fashion and sportswear brands they encountered during their travels to European away matches, notably in Italy. These individuals, dubbed "Casuals," took pride in their penchant for dressing in more sophisticated attire compared to the typical football supporter.
What brands did 80s casuals wear?
The subculture emerged in the United Kingdom during the early 1980s, as a growing number of football fans, or hooligans, began donning upscale fashion labels and high-end sportswear like Lyle & Scott, Lacoste, Sergio Tacchini, Fila, Ellesse, Pringle, Aquascutum, Burberry, Gabicci, Lois, Fred Perry, Diadora, Salzenger, Peter Storm, Kappa, Best Company, Chevignon, Cerruti 1881, Berghaus, Benetton & Lacoste. Their choice of attire served dual purposes: to evade police attention and to intimidate adversaries. By not wearing their club colours, they found it easier to infiltrate rival groups and gain access to pubs before and after away games.
What are casuals brands?
Casuals refer to football enthusiasts or hooligans who opt for a more relaxed dress style. Instead of donning their team's colours, they sport sophisticated attire crafted from high-end brand-name clothing. Amongst these are Sergio Tacchini, Fila Vintage, Lois Jeans, Diadora, Fred Perry, Aquascutum & more.
How did men dress in the 80s?
Men's casual attire in the 1980s resembled the laid-back fashion showcased in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: rolled jeans or khakis, cozy cardigans, basic tees, denim or bomber jackets, and slip-on loafers. Formal wear during this era featured oversized blazers, often in vibrant or soft hues, pinstriped suits, and the trend of pairing suspenders with a tie. What distinguished 80s formal wear was the tendency to pair even refined suits with a simple t-shirt or turtleneck rather than a traditional button-down shirt. On the flip side, 80s hip hop style emerged as the epitome of original streetwear, characterised by voluminous trousers (though not excessively baggy as seen in the 90s), bold gold chains, clean white sneakers, and sporty caps. Iconic rap groups like N.W.A. and Run-D.M.C. epitomised the essence of 80s hip hop fashion, a style that has continued to influence trends throughout the years.
What jeans did 80s casuals wear?
In the 80s the Spanish brand Lois became the European answer to the American denim labels which were taking over brands such as Levis, C17, Ball, Giorgio Armani, Pop 84, Liberto, Farah, Chipie, Valentino & Ralph Lauren. Popular figures of the time like Bjorn Borg endorsing Lois helped them become a favourite denim choice amongst casuals.
What trainers did 80s casuals wear?
At the turn of the century Britain was hit with a recession & overseas in Europe new trainers & sneakers were being produced using the latest technology, making them very expensive in comparison to the UK’s trainer offerings. Due to this, brands deemed them too expensive for the UK market, but this made them even scarcer & more appealing to football fans travelling abroad at the time. The brands of choice were Adidas, Nike, Diadora, Puma, Rockport & Timberland.