We at All Buttoned Up probably don’t have to tell you the Fred Perry shirt is a big part of alternative subculture. In this article we deep-dive into the history of the brand, explain how it became a uniform for a variety of subcultures, why the buttoned-up style is popular, and what it means to people.

It all started with tennis

Fred Perry was a British tennis player who is best known as the founder of the eponymous fashion brand. He was born in 1909 in Stockport, England, and began playing tennis at a young age.

Perry was a talented athlete who quickly made a name for himself in the world of tennis. He won his first major championship, the British Covered Court Championships, in 1929, and he went on to win numerous other titles throughout his career.

Perry was the first British player to win a Grand Slam singles title, and he won a total of eight Grand Slam titles during his career. He was also a member of the British Davis Cup team, and he helped lead the team to victory in three consecutive years.

In addition to his success on the tennis court, Perry was also known for his fashion sense. He was one of the first tennis players to wear shorts on the court, and he was known for his smart, stylish appearance.

After retiring from professional tennis, Perry founded the Fred Perry fashion brand, which quickly became known for its high-quality, classic clothing and accessories. The original Fred Perry polo was made from high-quality, sweat-wicking cotton piqué, and featured the brand’s signature laurel wreath logo on the chest. It quickly became popular with both athletes and fashion-conscious consumers, and the brand began to expand its range of clothing and accessories.

Association with subcultures

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Fred Perry polo shirt became associated with the mod and skinhead subcultures in the UK, and many young people wore it as a symbol of rebellion and nonconformity

Members of these subcultures often wore Fred Perry polo shirts, along with other clothing items such as Dr. Martens boots and Levi’s jeans. The polo shirt became a symbol of their rebellion against mainstream culture and a way to express their identity.

The ska and skinhead subcultures were also associated with working-class pride, and the Fred Perry polo was seen as a symbol of this pride. It was originally designed as a sports shirt, and its association with these subcultures helped to solidify its place in the world of fashion.

Although the ska and skinhead subcultures are not as prominent as they once were, the Fred Perry polo shirt has continued to be popular and is now worn by people of all ages and from all walks of life. It has become a timeless and iconic fashion staple that is recognized and loved around the world.

“Because it’s got a smart look reserved to only certain groups of people. However nowadays it’s worn by many. But still, if you know you know. It became a symbol, our symbol!”

Maddy Raven, All Buttoned Up Community Member about the Fred perry poloshirt

Button up!

The buttoned-up style of the Fred Perry polo shirt has been a popular fashion choice for many years. This classic and timeless look is achieved by fastening all of the buttons on the shirt’s placket, which gives the shirt a clean and polished appearance.

There are several reasons why people choose to wear their Fred Perry polos all buttoned up. One reason is that it creates a more formal and dressed-up look, which is perfect for occasions where you want to look sharp and put-together. For example, you might choose to wear your Fred Perry polo all buttoned up to a business meeting or a formal event.

Another reason why people wear their Fred Perry polos all buttoned up is that it creates a more streamlined silhouette. When all of the buttons are fastened, the shirt fits more closely to the body, which can be especially flattering for those with a slimmer build.

In addition to these practical reasons, most people say that they wear their Fred Perry polos all buttoned up simply because they like the way it looks. “The all-buttoned-up style is timeless and classic, and it has become a signature look for the Fred Perry brand.

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse was a big fan of the brand’s classic and timeless clothing, and she was often seen wearing Fred Perry polo shirts, sweatshirts, and other items making the brand more popular. Winehouse’s love of Fred Perry clothing was part of her overall vintage-inspired style, and she helped to popularize the brand among a younger, trendier audience. Her distinctive fashion sense and her association with the brand helped to cement Fred Perry’s place in the world of fashion.

“I think it had something to do with my Amy Winehouse obsession… Bought my first Fred Perry clothes more then 10 years ago. Nowadays I buy and wear it because i think it’s timeless and elegant.”

Madlen, All Buttoned Up community member about Amy Winehouse and Fred Perry

Some other famous musicians, such as Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner and Last Shadow Puppets member Miles Kane, have been known to wear Fred Perry clothing. In the past, Miles Kane was even an ambassador for the brand. Fred Perry has a long history of being worn by musicians and has been particularly popular among ska-influenced bands in the 1990s. Amy Winehouse, Gwen Stefani, and members of No Doubt and The Ordinary Boys have all been photographed wearing Fred Perry on stage.

Alt-right and Proud Boys

Around 2016 Fred Perry became associated with the Proud Boys, a far-right group that has been involved in various violent incidents and has been labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center

The Proud Boys was founded in 2016 by Gavin McInnes, a Canadian media personality and co-founder of the Vice Media group. The group describes itself as a “pro-Western fraternal organization” and claims to promote “Western values,” but it has been accused of promoting misogyny, Islamophobia, and white supremacy. The group has been involved in numerous violent incidents, including the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

However, the brand’s association with the Proud Boys has led to criticism and calls for a boycott. In response to this criticism, Fred Perry has issued statements condemning the Proud Boys and their actions, and has attempted to distance itself from the group. In a statement issued in September 2020, the company said, “We do not support, nor do we condone, the beliefs or actions of the Proud Boys. We have no association with this group and actively distance ourselves from their views.”

Despite these efforts, the brand has struggled to shake off its association with the Proud Boys. In October 2020, Fred Perry announced that it was ending the production of its black and yellow polo shirts, which had become a symbol of the Proud Boys. The company said that it was making this decision “in response to the garment being adopted as a uniform by a number of different groups,” and that it “will not stand for hate, violence or intolerance.”

Despite these efforts, it remains to be seen whether Fred Perry will be able to completely disassociate itself from the Proud Boys and other far-right groups. The brand’s association with these groups has led to calls for a boycott, and it remains to be seen whether the company will be able to regain the trust of consumers who may have been turned off by its association with hate and violence.

An uniform

The Fred Perry brand became a popular uniform for alternative subcultures and we at All Buttoned Up love the iconic and clean style. Its simple, clean design and iconic laurel wreath logo make it a popular choice for those looking to make a statement with their fashion! We at All Buttoned Up are almost obsessed with Fred Perry!

Watch our Shorts about Fred Perry

Sources:
Fred Perry – ‘Origin Stories’
Fred Perry – ‘How Amy Winehouse Is Still Inspiring Women In Music’
‘Fred Perry stops selling polo shirt associated with the ‘Proud Boys’’

Please note that while we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this article, it is possible that some of the details may be incorrect or out of date. We apologize for any errors. Feel free to submit corrections!