Engeland – United Kingdom
In the early 80s
Football casuals are football supporters who distinguish themselves from less fanatical supporters by their style of clothing. Whereas most people take their most expensive outfit out of the closet for a date or wedding, it’s a little different for casuals. Casuals leave their club colors at home on match day and go to the stadium in style instead. And in style means, they wear a complete outfit from specific casual brands. From Adidas trainers to a C.P. Company jacket to a Burberry scarf.
Most popular of Stone Island
Most popular from C.P. Company
Natural Casual isn’t a fashion trend. It’s made for the terraces. This brand comes straight from football culture and speaks to supporters who take their club, their style and their identity seriously. There’s no mass production, no seasonal drops. Every design is limited to just 100 pieces and once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. That makes each item genuinely unique. You won’t find oversized logos or flashy campaigns—just clothing that casuals wear because it fits who they are. It’s for those who care more about matchdays than runways, and who prefer a quiet nod of recognition over loud branding. Natural Casual isn’t made for everyone. And that’s exactly why it matters.
Most popular from Natural Casual
Most popular from Lyle & Scott
Most popular from Fred Perry
Most popular from Weekend Offender
Most popular from The North Face
Most popular from Adidas
Most popular from Ellesse
Most popular from Napapijri
Most popular from Lacoste
Most popular from Burberry
Most popular from Ma Strum
Most popular from Aquascutum
Most popular from Filla
Most popular from Paul&Shark
Most popular from Levi’s
Most popular from Barbour
Most popular from Hackett London
Most popular from Fjallraven
Most popular from Henri Lloyd
Casuals are football supporters or hooligans who dress casually. This means that they do not go to the stadium in their club colors but a neat outfit made of expensive brand-name clothing.
Casuals mainly wear expensive brand-name clothing such as Stone Island and Fred Perry. Each country has a different casual culture, where different brands are popular.
Opinions are divided on this. But it is said that the casual culture originated with football fans in Manchester and Liverpool.
The difference is clear: ultras do not fight, they create the atmosphere inside and outside the stadium. Being casual has purely to do with wearing a certain style of clothing. And a hooligan likes to use violence for his club.
An ultra can dress casually, but not necessarily like to use violence. And a hooligan may like to use violence, but does not necessarily have to wear expensive brand-name clothing; so does not necessarily have to have anything to do with casual culture.
Adidas trainers are without a doubt the most popular shoes among casuals. But that doesn’t mean that there are no other options. If you want something different, you could go for Fred Perry trainers, for example.
Football casuals are a unique subculture that emerged in England during the 1970s and 80s. It began when hooligans from clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, West Ham United, Nottingham Forest, and Everton traveled across Europe to attend away matches. After clashes and disturbances, they returned to England wearing expensive Italian and French designer clothing—sometimes bought, often stolen. This marked the start of what we now know as the “football casuals” style.
At a time when police were mainly looking for rowdy fans wearing club colors, these supporters had a clever tactic. By dressing in expensive brand clothing without logos, they were less noticeable. They looked like wealthy young people instead of aggressive hooligans. This allowed them to blend into crowds and avoid police attention more easily.
In the beginning, no one paid much attention to supporters wearing designer jackets from brands like Sergio Tacchini or Fila. The police were focused on skinheads in bomber jackets and Dr. Martens—not someone in a Burberry coat or a Lacoste polo. But what started as a way to fly under the radar quickly evolved into a full-blown fashion movement.
By the 1980s, casual culture was growing fast. It was no longer just a way to hide—it became an identity. Young men began to compete over who wore the most exclusive or expensive clothing. It wasn’t just about football anymore; it was about status, style, and recognition within the group.
With the rise of acid house and rave culture in the late 80s, the violent edge of the casuals seemed to fade. The subculture started leaning more toward music, fashion, and lifestyle. Still, the connection to football remained strong.
In the 1990s, the casual culture made a comeback. Supporters now wore brand-name clothing as a kind of uniform. It became a way to show that you were one of the ‘real’ fans—not just an average supporter with a scarf and jersey.
Popular brands at the time (many still today) included:
Stone Island
Iconic for the compass badge on the sleeve. Expensive, stylish, and with a tough image.
C.P. Company
Known for their jackets with goggle hoods—practical and instantly recognizable.
Burberry and Aquascutum
British classics with a polished, upper-class look.
Fred Perry and Lyle & Scott
Polo shirts and sweaters that were worn both in and out of the stadium.
Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, and Paul & Shark
Premium casualwear that offered both quality and prestige.
Fake clothing was—and still is—absolutely frowned upon in this scene. A true football casual can spot a counterfeit in seconds.
In the early 2000s, things started to shift again. The “standard” casual look had become too mainstream. Even people who’d never stepped foot in a stadium were now wearing Stone Island and Lacoste. True casuals began to search for something more exclusive once more.
Brands like The North Face started gaining popularity. With black hooded jackets, many fans stayed anonymous—a useful tactic in an age of surveillance and security cameras. Labels such as MA.STRUM, adidas Spezial, and even Scandinavian names like Norse Projects started making their way into the casual wardrobe.
One striking moment in this evolution was when some supporters began removing the Stone Island compass badge from their jackets—not out of shame, but because the logo had become too common among outsiders.
The famous compass patch of Stone Island caused controversy too. Some police units believed it resembled the Celtic cross—a symbol used by neo-Nazis. Because of that, the brand temporarily fell out of favor with certain groups. Still, Stone Island managed to retain its cult status and remains one of the most beloved football casual brands across Europe.
In the United Kingdom, football casual culture is still going strong. For over 40 years, it has been a consistent part of the matchday experience. What started as a covert way to avoid police scrutiny has grown into a fashion movement that even influences high-end designers.
Key traits of football casuals in the UK:
Passion for football
The love for the club remains central. Home or away, casuals show up.
Style-conscious
Football casuals follow fashion trends—but they do it on their own terms.
Sense of community
This subculture is all about brotherhood, identity, and unspoken codes.
Generational influence
What started with young lads in the 80s now includes fathers and sons dressed alike on matchday.
In 2025, the subculture is more vibrant than ever. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok play a major role in spreading the style, but they also contribute to its dilution. Because of that, hardcore casuals continue seeking new, lesser-known brands or vintage treasures to maintain authenticity.
The newer generation is also more environmentally conscious. Sustainable alternatives to fast fashion are gaining traction within the scene. Still, what matters most is not the brand itself, but how you wear it.
Why has the football casual style remained so popular?
It radiates confidence and toughness
It shows you’re in-the-know, without needing to say a word
It’s a clear but subtle expression of identity
It combines comfort and style—perfect for long matchdays
On platforms like Instagram, you’ll find thousands of profiles dedicated to casual fashion. From mirror selfies to curated flat lays of outfit combinations, the culture is well-documented. The downside? It becomes easier for outsiders to mimic the style. That’s why loyal casuals keep innovating and seeking the next hidden gem.
At its core, football casual culture is about more than clothing. It’s about loyalty, self-expression, unity, and passion. Whether you support Celtic, Ajax, AS Roma, or Millwall—the values are often the same.
Trends come and go, but football casuals are here to stay. As long as football exists, there will be supporters who want to stand out. Who see clothing not just as a necessity, but as a badge of honor.
Football casuals are more than just stylish football fans. They represent a brotherhood with unique codes, iconic clothing, and a rich history. From the streets of Liverpool to the metros of Rotterdam, the subculture is alive, evolving, and as captivating as ever.