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Fred Perry Clothing
Unfortunately this article does represent some form of self indulgence but I do really believe that the idea has a great deal of significance, not only for our knowledge of fashion in general but also for our individual style. To truly establish ourselves – our own image - you need to properly understand the clothes you wear in a both a practical and physical sense, whilst also recognising their heritage. Just as Savile Row is steeped in history, class and renowned all over the world, every brand has its own story and in our ever continuing mission to become the perfect gentleman, understanding our image and what creates it is possibly one of the biggest challenges we have to face.
Following on from my last debate topic, brand association, I felt it would be worth going one step further by getting stuck right into the brands themselves. It is all well and good questioning our opinion of certain brands, discussing their image and whom we would associate them with – but just how much do we know about the brands we wear? We trot out our best every time we leave the house (or at least try to) but I’m sure most people, myself included, never really think about where these clothes have come from; they are more a name than an object. Fred Perry (to me anyway) sounds much better than H&M; but why? What makes this brand so much more special than another?
It is at this point that understanding the brand and knowing its story comes into play. A man who wears an item of clothing for its heritage and the image of the brand as a whole is arguably the better dresser than the man that wears it just for the name. So without further adieu, let’s get stuck in.
Now, I should point out that this something of a pilot article, as I’d like to turn the concept into a series, going over many of the popular (and underground) brands of today. Of course this will only happen if you guys find it useful or interesting, so with this in mind I’ve gone for one of the more obvious brands to start us off. I also hold quite a soft spot for Fred Perry – as some of you may have noticed – and I’d very much like to spread the Perry love (I do apologise for that last turn of phrase) to everyone.
To start off I thought would tantalise those taste buds of yours with a quick look book, I’ve even snuck a picture of the man himself in there:
Fred Perry LookBook
The History
Of course you couldn’t write a brief history of a brand without mentioning its founder/creator. In this instance Fred Perry the man. Born into a working class family, he began his career by playing table tennis at Ealing County School, promptly winning the World Championship in 1928. Four years beforehand he had discovered tennis whilst wandering alone on holiday in Eastbourne; he quickly rose to become one of best players of the time, eventually becoming a 3 time winner of Wimbledon and holder of the Davis Cup. Sadly his relationship with the All England Tennis Club and many within the sport set was particularly strained, mainly because of his working class background.
It is perhaps surprising then that when he was looking for a logo (he initially wanted to use a pipe being a pipe smoker himself, but there were concerns that the female audience might not appreciate such an image) he opted for the Laurel wreath, the symbol that he had worn as a testament to his 1934 victory at Wimbledon; the issue being that to use it as his emblem he had to have to approval of the secretary of the All England club. However, he was granted permission to use the image and it is from here that we see the iconic logo of today.
So he had the logo, but how did the man become the business? Fame and a name don’t give you everything. It all started when, in the late 1940s, an Austrian footballer Tibby Wegner came to him with a new antiperspirant device, looking for endorsement. Fred Perry told him to change the design and soon after Wegner had produced the first ever sweatband; Fred Perry Sportswear was born. Wegner then suggested he create a sports shirt made from knitted white cotton piquaterial with short sleeves and buttons down the front – the iconic Fred Perry Pique. The success of this design was huge and almost certainly laid the foundations for what has surely become one of Britain’s most iconic brands. The traditional slim fit piques are still made in England today, using the same shape and fabric as has always been used and while the world has changed around them, his shirts have remained constant - a truly eternal and timeless item.
The Collections
We all know and love the iconic Fred Perry Pique and in all probability this is what most people would associate with the brand, but it represents (in clothing terms) a great deal more, with regards to what they produce and who they work with. Check out some of the more fashion forward and specialist collections Fred Perry has branched out into below.
Fred Perry x Raf Simons
Raf Simons has long been a designer popular with the fashion forward crowd, and his collaboration with Fred Perry has been one of the most successful men’s fashion has seen in recent years. Simons takes Fred Perry’s iconic basics range and adds a contemporary twist; whether it be by cut, colour or detailing.
For 2011 the signature pique shirt has been reinvigorated with bold Riri zips, bright new colour options and a crisp slim fit, paired alongside tailored shorts and soft merino knitwear.
Fred Perry x Stussy
Taking a simple colour palette of white, blood red and black, Fred Perry have teamed up with Stussy Deluxe to create a unique blank canvas collection that celebrates British and 1970s American sports heritage and design. Our iconic Fred Perry shirt has been emblazoned with the establishing date of each brand, printed on the back in the style of a team players jersey.
The result is a collection that builds on traditional sports details to create something perfectly at home in a contemporary streetwear arena:
Fred Perry Laurel Wreath
Fred Perry Laurel Wreath is a limited edition heritage collection that Fred Perry releases each season. The pieces are inspired by classic designs from the last 50 years of production from the brand. Laurel by Fred Perry showcases not only the stripped back and vintage nature of those heritage styles, but also offers a contemporary look based on authentic values.
Conclusion
The history of the brands we wear is just as important as the clothes themselves. To fully understand fashion and style, thereby developing yourself, you must take an interest in every aspect of it. If you do, then you can feel truly proud to wear that shirt you love so much or pair your pique with some rolled up chinos and loafers; knowing you are part of a rich history.
Will
P.S. Let me know in the comments below whether or not you would be interested in me producing a series of articles on other famous (and not so famous) brands.
Spring/Summer Essential Fabrics – Part 2: Seersucker
Spring/Summer Essential Fabrics – Part 1: Linen
Spring/Summer Footwear: The Suede Derby
Key Accessory: The Colourful Watch
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Love the article, think the idea of getting behind the brand is great. Would like to read about the history of some of the up and coming brands such as Bolongaro Trevor.
I think this article was great, would be really interested in seeing one on Lyle and Scott in the future.
Funny enough, I just purchased a couple of their Pique colour-tipped polos. While a sports brand, it does the perfect cross-over mixing the right amount of cool, fitting and style. Definitely worth the addition to any discerning gentleman’s wadrobe.
Also, I second Sam on the Lyle & Scott feature.
Love Fred Perry and their brand focus. Good article Will!
I’m glad to see a fair bit of interest in this idea, I really do believe that having an indepth knowledge of brands should be a huge part of style.
Keep the comments coming guys and if there are any brands you want me to cover just let me know.
Cheers
Great article, I personally love Fred Perry. I’m trying to build up a collection of vintage polos at the moment and I love the modern collections too. I’d love to see an article on Farah, that’d be swell!
I am quite interested to see an article on the popular America brands such as Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch. It really does beat me why more and more people seem to be wearing them these days. Them brands are a perfect example of people buying the clothes for the name and not for their heritage!
Your article left out what is probably the most important piece of history and the main reason the Fred Perry brand has endured for so long: the very important part the brand has played in Mod culture from mid sixties all the way up to today. Your premise is how the brand has to mean something to those who wear it: in this case it is, to this day, the self-identity of being Mod that gives the brand a specific “insider” identity amongst those who wear it… not based on the fact that a one time Wimbledon champion developed it, but that Mods of all generations have carried the Fred Perry brand forward.
I would certainly agree with you that the Mod influence on the brand was huge, undeniably so and I could quitte possibly have added in something of this nature, but I would have also had to disucss the Skinheads of the 80s, early rock and roll and the images of today. What I wanted this article to focus on more was where the brand came from, what started it. Not necessarily have a discussion about who wears it. I wanted to guide people into discovering the brands.
This is by no means a comprehensive history, only a brief insight, what I would like to do (and as I said this is only a pilot article, I hope to improve on them in the future) is encourage readers to go further than just this article and do some of their own searching, to develop there understanding themselves. Because they may find something I did not.
However! I do value every opinion voiced and I will surely take this into account with future articles.
Will
I also agree that an article on lyle and scott would very intresting. As someone who has been invovled in golf shops and has had contact with reps I do actually have a good knowledge on the brand but feel it would be intresting to others to hear about this. Its a simliar sort of base as FP due to it coming from a sporting background
though well done on this
I liked the article but you have not impressed upon me why the heritage of the brand should matter greatly to the wearer. I agree with the fact that we should all have some knowledge of what we support and how that reflects on us. However I wonder if over indulging in heritage and history would make one more concerned about fitting into a club than expressing individual identity. I am Interested to hear what others think.
I think the level of interest someone takes in the heritage of a brand is entirely up to them, I am by no means saying you must know every tiny detail of the brand but you should have some knowledge of the brands you wear, I just think it is an important way of making style and fashion more about putting clothes on, it makes it more personal.
I would also say that because the majority of people will wear a very diverse selection of brands that fitting into a club isn’t really an issue.
However, I am glad to hear that you like the article. I would also like to point out that I will be taking on board the ideas expressed here in an effort to improve the next items.
Cheers guys
Got that Mahogany kintted top you have featued about a year ago from selfridges for £70, it is on Coggles for £115 . Love it !
The fitted knitted pieces are too die for and never go out of shape unlike everything from other brands such as All Saints, what is best £55 -£65 for a Fred Perry Laurel in many colours or the same on one with the ramskull logo ? FP wins hands down on style, materials, quality an durability !
Also have the standard cotton one in black with red/white tipped colour, has kept shape and original colour much more than any other Lyle & Scott / Penguin / Junk de Luxe / all saints 1000% .