Casual reacquaintance
British subculture has a habit of spreading out to the world through either music or fashion, often with both intertwined. There was the punk - think Sex Pistols, zips, winkle-pickers, Malcolm McLaren and the longevous Vivienne Westwood (now a major label with shops across Hong Kong). Then there was the mod - think The Jam, parkas, Fred Perry and Ben Sherman (both brands that have experienced Hong Kong revivals in recent years). Then came the casual - northern soul, Wham!, Fila, Sergio Tacchini and Lacoste.
Not so familiar with that movement? The casual was post-punk, pre-rave and slap in the middle of 1980s naffness. He was the 80s equivalent of Britain's modern-day ne'er-do-well, the Chav. Instead of Burberry and Nike, he wore Pringle sweaters, Farah trousers and Stan Smith trainers.
Upmarket European sports labels such as Ellesse and Kappa epitomised the trend, with their brands proudly displayed on everything from sweatbands to tennis shirts to tracksuit tops, trousers and raincoats. Man Management has some items gathering dust in our parents' attic. But they might soon be dragged out because, believe it or not, the casual is making a comeback. Thanks largely to
cult Brit-flick The Business, by Nick Love, that wildly reviled 80s breed of youth is back in the spotlight.
The Business is a gangster flick set during the reign of prime minister Margaret Thatcher, an era of greed, selfishness and general thuggery. With its location on the Costa del Crime - the sun-baked Spanish coast that has for decades served as a safe haven for British thugs and crooks - Love is on the money.
Casual bloggers widely agree the fashion trend was started by Liverpool football fans (though their Scottish counterparts also lay claim to it) who returned home with flash trainers and track suits bought - or in some cases shoplifted - from designer stores in Italy and Spain while they were abroad following their then phenomenally successful and much-travelled team. But although the casual movement originated elsewhere, in Britain it took on a life of its own, becoming a badge of honour inextricably associated with football hooliganism but adhered to by millions of youths seeking to impress their peers or the girls at school.