Last Updated on 11th May 2023
What Is Terrace Wear
Terrace wear is a style of clothing that originated in the United Kingdom during the 1970s and 1980s. It was primarily worn by football fans who stood on terraces to watch their favourite teams play. The clothing typically included relatively expensive clothing items such as tracksuits, trainers, polo shirts, and jackets.
The popularity of terrace fashion proliferated during this period, with many football clubs adopting unique styles of clothing for their fans to wear. Some of the most popular clubs for terrace wear include Liverpool FC, Manchester United FC, Arsenal FC, West Ham United and Chelsea FC.
Over time, terrace wear has become more than just a fashion statement for football fans; it has evolved into its own subculture. Today, people worldwide continue to embrace terrace wear as a way to show support for their favourite teams or simply as a fashionable choice. Many brands have emerged over the years catering specifically to this market, including Stone Island, Henri Lloyd and CP Company.
Despite its origins in football culture, terrace wear has become much more mainstream in recent years. From high-end fashion runways to streetwear shops around the globe – it’s clear that this trend isn’t going away anytime soon!
When Did Terrace Wear Become Fashionable
Terrace wear became fashionable in the 1980s when football hooliganism was at its peak. This style quickly spread across the UK, with many fans adopting this style to show pride for their team.
As terrace wear grew in popularity, it began to evolve into something more than just a fashion statement for football fans. It became an expression of identity and belonging within certain subcultures. The iconic designs and bold colours associated with terrace wear soon caught the attention of mainstream fashion designers, who incorporated them into their collections.
Some football clubs had better terrace wear than others, with some becoming synonymous with certain styles or brands. For example, Stone Island is often associated with casual culture and has been worn by supporters of teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea. Meanwhile, Liverpool FC’s “Scally” look featured tracksuits paired with Adidas trainers that were popular throughout the 80s and early 90s.
Overall, terrace fashion has become an essential part of British subculture history. Its influence can still be seen today in streetwear trends around the world, proving that what started out as a simple way to show support for your favourite football club has evolved into something much greater than anyone could have imagined back then.
Which Football Clubs Had The Best Terrace Wear
One of the most iconic football clubs that had the best terrace wear is Liverpool FC. Their red home kit with white accents and Liverbird emblem has become a classic in terrace fashion. This led to supporters wearing Adidas trainers in those colours as well as red accents on their jackets which were often sportswear related. Sergio Tacchini, Ellesse, Fila and Nike was just as popular with these fans as some of the worlds best tennis players.
Another football club that had great terrace wear is Manchester United. The Red Devils’ red home kit with white shorts and black socks has been a fan favourite for decades. Fans would opt for the more baggy style of Northern designers like Chippie, coupled with the Lacoste and Ralph Lauren polo shirts.
West Ham’s infamous ICF (Inner City Firm) were notorious for their sartorial elegance when engaging in street scuffles with opposing fans. Farah trousers were worn with bright and pastel-coloured Pringle jumpers, which made them stand out from the average football fans.
Which Countries Adopted Terrace Wear
Terrace fashion became a popular fashion in the United Kingdom during the 1980s, particularly among football fans. However, it quickly spread to other countries such as Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. In these countries, terrace style was adopted by supporters of various football clubs who wanted to show their loyalty and pride for their team.
In Germany, terrace wear is commonly seen among Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich fans. The style often includes bold colours and graphics featuring the club’s crest or mascot. Italian supporters also embrace terrace wear, focusing on designer brands such as Stone Island, Barbour and CP Company. These items are often paired with more traditional fashion pieces like leather jackets or denim jeans.
The popularity of terrace wear has now spread beyond Europe to places like Japan, where it has become a “casual culture” subculture. It involves wearing designer sportswear from brands like Adidas or Nike in everyday life rather than just at sporting events. This shows that while terrace wear may have originated from football fandom, it has evolved into something much bigger than just supporting your favourite team.
Who Are The Main Terrace Wear Brands
One of the leading terrace wear brands is Stone Island. This Italian brand has been popular wardrobe item among football fans since the 1980s due to its high-quality jackets and casual clothing. The brand’s iconic compass logo can often be seen on the terraces of football stadiums across Europe.
Another popular terrace wear brand is CP Company, founded in Italy in 1971. CP Company is known for its innovative fabrics and designs, such as their signature goggle hooded jackets. Like Stone Island, CP Company is strongly associated with football culture and is often worn by supporters on match days.
Adidas Originals is also a significant player in the world of terrace wear. The German sportswear giant has a long history of producing classic sneakers like The Gazelle and Samba and tracksuits that have become synonymous with casual fashion. Adidas’ Terrace range includes retro-inspired pieces that pay homage to their archives from the 70s and 80s, making them a firm favourite with vintage enthusiasts and football fans.
Fila and Sergio Tacchini with its endless colour waves of casual polo shirts appealed tremendously to fans of all teams as they could own these highly sought after fashion items in their team colours. Track tops and softshell jackets by two of the worlds biggest sporting goods makers become the norm for every kid on the terraces of not just the UK but as far afield as Southern Europe too.
With these brands leading the way, it’s clear that terrace wear has evolved beyond just being associated with football culture – it’s now an established part of modern fashion too. Whether you’re looking for something retro or contemporary, plenty of options are available from these top brands to suit any style preference.
Is It Just For Football Fans
Terrace wear definitely has its roots in football culture, but it’s not just for fans of the beautiful game. In fact, many people who have never set foot inside a stadium are now embracing terrace wear as a fashion statement. The key to making it work is to keep things simple and understated – think classic sportswear pieces like track jackets, polo shirts and trainers.
Terrace wear has become so popular beyond the world of football because it taps into broader trends in streetwear and athleisure. Brands like Adidas and Nike have been at the forefront of this movement for years, producing clothing that looks great both on and off the pitch. By adopting these styles into their wardrobes, people can show appreciation for sports without necessarily being die-hard fans.
Of course, there will always be those who see terrace fashion as exclusively tied to football culture. And that’s fine, too – after all, what makes fashion so interesting is how different subcultures can put their own spin on particular styles or garments. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or appreciate good design, there’s no denying that terrace fashion has something unique to offer anyone looking to add some sporty flair to their wardrobe.
Is Terrace Wear Retro Or Modern Fashion
Terrace wear is a fashion trend that has been around for decades but has recently gained popularity as a modern fashion statement. The style originated from football fans who wore their team’s colours and merchandise on the terraces during matches. However, terrace wear has evolved to include more than just football-related clothing.
Many brands have incorporated the terrace wear look into their collections. These brands create pieces that are inspired by retro designs but with a modern twist. This mixture of old-school and contemporary elements makes terrace wear an excellent choice for those who want to stand out from the crowd while maintaining a classic look.
The appeal of terrace fashion lies in its versatility; it can be worn casually or dressed up, depending on the occasion. It is not just limited to football fans; anyone can rock this style regardless of whether they follow sports or not. Terrace wear represents a subculture that values individuality, self-expression, and authenticity, which resonates with many people today.
What Next For Terrace Wear?
Nobody can predict the future in fashion and nobody can know which brand or designer is next on the pedestal of fame and fortune but one thing for sure is that Burberry, Barbour, CP Company, Stone Island, Adidas, Fila and Tacchini saw a sharp rise in sales and profits that coincided with the culture of the football fans in the 80’s and they have never seen there sales dip to pre 1980’s levels.
Whilst some of these famous fashion brands tried to disassociate themselves from the terrace culture and football violence, their endearing style hasn’t waned for the purveyors of this iconic streetwear fashion.
