Football Casuals The Clothing Brands, Explained

Liverpool, in the late 1970s. National Museums Liverpool traces the look to Liverpool fans in the mid-1970s and to the club's European runs that followed: around the European Cup wins of 1977 and 1978, travelling supporters came home with sportswear that simply was not sold in Britain. Lacoste, Sergio Tacchini, FILA and Ellesse became the prize finds, worn with Adidas trainers. In Liverpool they were scallies, in Manchester they were Perry Boys, and by 1983, when The Face magazine put a name to it, the rest of the country called them casuals. The look peaked in the mid-1980s, which is why many people know it as 80s casual, and our 80s casual clothing guide covers that decade piece by piece.

The track top that defined the terraces. Founded in 1966 by the Italian tennis professional of the same name, Sergio Tacchini dressed John McEnroe and Guillermo Vilas through the late 1970s and 1980s, and its colour-blocked track tops crossed straight from the court to the terraces. The Dallas and the Orion are still the shapes most people picture, and 2026 is the brand's sixtieth year. Sergio Tacchini tops come up small, so size up. Shop Sergio Tacchini · Sergio Tacchini track tops

Lyle & Scott Archive Revisited Argyle Knitted Jumper Dark NavyShopClarks Originals Wallabee Lite Boots Ink SuedeShopClarks Originals Wallabee Lite Shoes Black SuedeShop

Björn Borg's label. FILA began in 1911 in Biella, northern Italy, as a knitwear and textiles house, and moved into sportswear in the 1970s, when Björn Borg made its kit famous at Wimbledon. The red and navy F-box and the Settanta track top, with its ribbed collar and contrast tipping, became casuals staples, and FILA clothing fits true to size. Shop FILA · Sergio Tacchini vs FILA

The half-ball logo. Ellesse was founded in Perugia, Italy, in 1959, and its half-ball logo, drawn from a tennis ball and the tip of a ski, belonged to one of the continental labels the first casuals hunted down abroad. Its retro tees and track tops are true to size but cut fitted, so take your usual size for the classic look or size up for room. Shop Ellesse · Ellesse sizing guide

The crocodile the first casuals chased. Lacoste goes back to 1933, when French tennis champion René Lacoste launched the L.12.12, widely credited as the first branded polo shirt. Alongside Adidas, it was one of the labels early casuals prized most, precisely because it was so hard to find in Britain at the time, and the crocodile polo is still a cornerstone of the look. Shop Lacoste · Fred Perry vs Lacoste

The laurel wreath, and a nickname. Fred Perry was founded in 1952 by the British tennis player who was the first man to win all four Grand Slam singles titles, and the laurel-wreath logo has been a badge of British youth culture ever since. In Manchester the early casuals were known as Perry Boys, after the polo shirts they wore, and the M12 twin-tipped polo is still the one to own. Shop Fred Perry · Fred Perry sizing guide

The golden eagle. Lyle & Scott began in 1874 in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, as a knitwear maker, and its golf-inspired jumpers with the golden eagle on the chest became a staple of the casual wardrobe. Most of the range is true to size, with the slimmer Vintage line the one exception. Shop Lyle & Scott · Lyle & Scott sizing guide

The modern casual. Marshall Artist is a British label with a technical, outdoor-tailoring edge, and it is one of the names today's casuals have adopted: overshirts, zip-neck tops and jackets that keep the understated, label-conscious spirit of the terraces. It is true to size, apart from the slimmer crew-neck sweatshirts. Shop Marshall Artist

Trainers first, then Clarks Originals. The original casuals wore Adidas trainers, and clean, low-profile trainers are still the default. The Clarks Originals Wallabee and Desert Trek, both on crepe soles, are the smarter alternative in today's casual wardrobe, and both fit true to size. Shop Clarks Originals · Clarks Originals sizing guide

One statement piece, everything else quiet. Build the outfit around a single hero item, usually a track top or a good jacket, and keep the rest simple: a polo or a plain tee, straight jeans or cargos, and clean shoes. Keep logos small and colours coordinated, avoid anything that looks like a replica kit, and buy fewer, better pieces, which is exactly what the first casuals were doing. Shop football casual clothing · Track tops · Polo shirts

Ask the team and we will help you build the look. Tell us what you are after and your usual size, and we will point you to the right pieces, because we are an official stockist of every brand in this guide. If the size is not right, exchanges are free, and UK returns are £3.00 within 14 days with a pre-paid Royal Mail label. Contact us · Shop football casual clothing

Written by the Spiral Seven buying team · Updated 23 September 2026 · Official stockist of every brand in this guide