Diadora trainer c1985, CT003958
Casuals were born on the football terraces of England in the late 1970s, although not named as such until the early 1980s. Predominantly working class males, Casuals were fixated with up-market European sportswear labels and British classics such as Burberry and Pringle. The label was far more important than the style. Wearing fake labels or cheap imitations was often cause for ridicule. Trainers were essential footwear and Casuals, together with the 1980s B-Boys, kicked off the obsession with trainers in Britain.
The Casual outfit in Brighton Museum's Renegade collection reflects the interest in both Italian sportswear and classic British labels, and also includes the most desirable Casual footwear of the time.