The casual movement is a subsection of association football culture that is typified by football hooliganism and the wearing of expensive European designer clothing.

The subculture originated in the U.K in the late 1970s when many hooligans began wearing designer clothes and expensive sportswear in order to avoid the attention of police. They did not wear club colours, so it was easier to infiltrate rival groups and to enter pubs.

Music genres popular among casuals in the late 1970s included: mod revival, postpunk, Oi! and ska. By the 1980s, casuals' music tastes were eclectic, with some enjoying pop groups such as Wham!, ABC, The Human League, Spandau Ballet and Adam and the Ants. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, many casuals were part of the Madchester and rave scenes, and in the 1990s, many were fans of Britpop including bands such as Oasis,Blur, The Verve, The Prodigy, etc. There was a strong crossover with rave culture, with many ravers wearing football casual brands but distanced from football hooliganism. Madchester bands sometimes wore casual clothing on stage and in publicity photographs, as did Britpop acts such as Blur in their video for "Parklife". Since then, the most popular genre among casuals has been indie rock.

History

British football support has had a strong fashion-led subculture element since the rise of the Teddy Boys in the mid 1950s.

This continued with the mods of the early 1960s, the skinheads of the late 1960s (and later), and the mod revivalists of the late 1970s.

The casual subculture started in the late 1970s after Liverpool fans introduced the rest of England to European fashions that they acquired while following their team at their 1977 European Cup quarter final against the French side St Etienne.

These Liverpool fans returned in England with expensive Italian and French designer sportswear, most of which they stole from stores.

The supporters brought back many unique clothing brands that had not been seen in the country before.

Soon other fans were clamoring for these rare items of clothing, such as Lacoste or Sergio Tacchini shirts, and unusual Adidas trainers, which are still associated with Liverpool supporters today. At the time, many police forces were still on the lookout for skinhead fans wearing Dr. Martens boots, and paid no attention to fans in expensive designer clothing.

Clothing labels associated with casuals in the 1980s include: Fila, Stone Island, Fiorucci, Pepe, Benetton, Sergio Tacchini, Ralph Lauren, Henri Lloyd, Lyle & Scott, Adidas, Ben Sherman, Fred Perry, Lacoste, Kappa, Pringle, Peter Storm, Burberry, Reebok and Slazenger. Fashion trends frequently changed, and the casual subculture reached its peak in the late 1980s.

With the arrival of the acid house, rave and Madchester scenes, the violence of the casual subculture faded to a large extent.

Music

The casuals continued listening to most of the bands the mods used to enjoy. The casual movement enjoyed in the 90s mostly Britpop bands such as Oasis, Blur, Pulp, The Prodigy, Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller among others.

The Casual Movement is a subsection of association football culture that is typified by football hooliganism and the wearing of expensive European designer clothing.