There’s something about a sharp button-down shirt, a crisp pair of Sta-Press trousers, and a pint in hand as the needle drops on a Studio One 45. For some, it’s just fashion. But for those in the know, it’s a lifestyle – one stitched with pride, purpose, and passion. And few brands get that quite like Upsett Clothing.

A homegrown label based in Mexico City’s historic centre, Upsett isn’t just making clothes – it’s keeping a global subculture alive. From Reggae nights to Rude Girl chic, from Suedehead swagger to Skinhead roots, Upsett represents more than a look. It’s a tribute. It’s a community. And, most of all, it’s a movement stitched with soul.

But how did a Skinhead clothing label end up in the heart of Latin America? It starts, like all the best things, with Reggae.

Where Reggae meets reality

Every proper Skinhead story starts with a bassline – and this one’s no different. Before Natalia became a designer, she was a selector, promoter, and record collector. With a deep love for vintage Jamaican sounds, she built a reputation in Mexico City’s Reggae underground. She spun rare Rocksteady 45s at sweaty nighters and dug deep into vintage fashion, unearthing buried gems both online and off. She didn’t just like the culture – she lived it.

They don’t just like the culture – they lived it.

It wasn’t long before the clothes followed the music. What started as admiration for the clean cuts of late-60s London soon turned into a mission: to bring authentic, stylish, subculture-inspired clothing to Mexico’s Skinhead scene. In 2009, Upsett Clothing was born – named in honour of the Upsetter himself, Lee “Scratch” Perry.

The brand became an outlet for their passion – rooted in sharp tailoring, tough attitude, and the timeless elegance of youth subcultures that refused to conform.

Threads with meaning

Upsett’s designs are more than homage – they’re extensions of the lifestyle. Their classic check and paisley shirts pay tribute to Mod and Skin aesthetics. Their Harringtons, polos, knits, and Cardigans echo the same defiance worn by working-class kids on British terraces. And their crown logo? A subtle nod to the nobility of the streets – because looking good isn’t about money, it’s about pride.

But Upsett goes beyond the basics. The shop – tucked away on the third floor of a building in Plaza Juárez – also stocks vintage treasures: Fred Perry polos, Ben Sherman shirts, Levis, Docs. And not just reissues. We’re talking real vintage. Handpicked. Proper. Natalia’s eye for detail means every skirt, dress, or jacket in the place has a story – and often, a soundtrack.

Even the packaging is bespoke: every bit of artwork is hand-drawn, from posters and flyers to shirts and mailers. Think Rude Boys, robots, and Reggae queens – cartoonish but classy, with a style that mixes tattoo flash and Jamaican sound system energy.

Community ties worldwide

To understand Upsett fully, you have to see the community around it. Drop by the shop and you might find someone spinning Trojan classics. Come by on an anniversary and you’ll get a beer brewed specially for the occasion. It’s not retail – it’s ritual.

Travellers from around the globe end up at Upsett’s door, drawn by word of mouth and worn-in Fred Perrys. One such visitor described it perfectly: “You meet people like Natalia, and suddenly you don’t feel like a tourist anymore – you feel like you’ve found your crew.” And just like that, strangers become selectors, and shoppers become family.

That’s the paradox of this life: you move from place to place, always chasing new scenes, but it’s the goodbyes that hit hardest. From Costa Rica to El Salvador, travellers may pass through, but Upsett stays – like a reliable beat behind every rhythm. A place to return to. A place to remember.

The beat goes on

As the Skinhead look finds fresh life on catwalks and city streets, Upsett continues to do what it always has – stay true. While fashion houses try to replicate the style, Upsett remembers the spirit. This isn’t cosplay. It’s culture. And it’s still alive in every pressed collar, every polished boot, every record dropped at 45RPM.

This isn’t cosplay. It’s culture.

Whether you’re in Ciudad de México (Mexico-City) or just browsing online, the Upsett ethos holds firm:
Tidy clothes. Heavy tunes. Proud roots.

So next time you spot that signature crown logo on a shirt, know this – it wasn’t made in a factory trend meeting. It was made in the heart of a Reggae party, under the buzz of Mexico City lights, with bass in the background and a beer in hand.

Sources: LifeNiceLikeRice | Official website Upsett Clothing | Instagram

Disclaimer: This article is an independent editorial and is not affiliated with or sponsored by Upsett Clothing. All opinions expressed are our own.