The Fashion of Football by Paolo Hewitt, Mark Baxter (Mainstream Publishing)
A must have book for those with a passion for sharp threads, the beautiful game and sweet soul music, according to Alex Roest
If there's one thing this collaboration between Paolo Hewitt and Mark Baxter is about, it's passion.
Passion for the game of football and a deep-rooted love for 'The Look'. Meaning those stylish, classic togs worn by footballers and fans alike, from Best to Beckham, from Mod to Label Lover.
The abolition of the maximum wage in '63 gave footballers a bit more spending power, soon resulting in bigger wardrobes for many.The latter would be the usual aspiration for most British working class males in the early 60s anyway.
Part one contains fascinating tales concerning Bobby Moore with his somewhat conservative, tidy appearance and attitude. The hype surrounding the first footballer to dress like a popstar, 'fifth Beatle' George Best and those that followed a set example during the 70s and 80s like Steve Perryman, Alan Hudson and Mike Summerbee. Italian players bringing their dress sense to the Premiership during the 90s, resulting in the substitution of the popstar by players like Beckham as style icons for modern society.
The intervals in which the progression of matters is discussed at the Bar Italia speak volumes too. The obvious and honest excitement both authors share about interviews with various players and people like the singer Kevin Rowland makes it all the more enjoyable to read the "Fashion of Football".
The book has a rather loose approach that explains itself along the way. There's a bit of fashion history, interviews with famous West End tailor Dougie Hayward, the Burro brothers and members of Cardiff's Soul Crew. There are some great pics to be found as well, especially one of Peter Knowles in '68, leaning against a handsome motor and looking very Mod indeed.
Part three charts the many influential street fashions to come from the terraces. The sartorial influence of pop programme RSG! to be replaced by thousands of travelling Skinheads on the football specials in the late 60s. The birth of the Casual in the mid 70s, preferring the InterCity, to carry the torch. An interesting conclusion it is Mark draws in his piece on the Dressers phenomenon : "us old casuals have a lot to answer for" or so he
states.
Without reiterating the same story "The Fashion of Football" does a better job than "The Soul Stylists". That is to show the tradition that exists in the UK to dress up for the football. People going shopping on a Saturday morning for clothes and records, discussing those during lunch-time down the pub, then on to the match to put on a bit of a show. More often then not it'll be darting back home afterwards to change for a club to take in some black American sounds and do some dancefloor action.
As said before, fascinating stuff and certainly a must have for those with a passion for sharp threads, the beautiful game and sweet soul music.
[Published 1 December 2004]
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| Comments: | |
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| Greg | maj 19 2005 12:41PM |
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| I hate football. | |
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| Bazden | dec 8 2004 5:25AM |
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| good luck fellas with the book regards from south london millwall modernists | |
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| Alex Roest | dec 7 2004 3:59AM |
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| Wotcha Bomb ! I knew you'd like "The Fashion of Football" as well mate. We always seem to be on a similar wave-length anyway re-soccer Stylists ( nice one BTW ). Some good additional comments there, bet you enjoyed the Suedehead ( although I know you prefer to call them Smoothies ) and Soulboy wardrobe pieces in that respect yeah ? Good luck with your own book ! Alex. | |
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| bomber | dec 6 2004 1:08PM |
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| I think Mark and Paolo have really done a great job on this book. Football is a culture within its self, And they seemed to have captured the street styles that dominated the terraces throughout the 60, 70,s and 80,s , when terrace culture was at its peak. I think the London fans were always the leaders in styles, they were always more sharp and flash. This book has a very honest approach, and is not biased , like some of the Football Style books I have encountered in the past. And lets not forget that Casual was only a brief part of soccer sylists, There was 20 odd yrs of styles often overlook before the 80,s. The fashion of football gives some good accounts on this too. | |
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| Alex Roest | dec 2 2004 7:35AM |
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| Perfect for sad, aging, balding tearaways :-) | |
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| fotball factor | dec 2 2004 7:07AM |
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| what's up with those hideous plaid hooligan caps? | |
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