But separately, among generations of mods and modettes, skinheads and suedeheads, Perry Boys and casuals, the black shirt was being injected directly into the subcultural bloodstream by none other than Fred Perry after the surprising and ultimately subversive move of producing a Black/Champagne/Champagne style as an alternative to the classic white tennis shirt.
Delving into the archive and looking at the colourcards from various eras, it’s acknowledged that Black/Champagne/Champagne was the first shirt to use colour, introduced in the 1950s. The more familiar Black/Yellow/Yellow arrived in the 70s.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
To wear black was always to declare oneself apart from the crowd. That’s because the use of black in visual expression has always been a means of making a statement.
And it resonates as the central motif of the bad guy. Think Lee van Cleef’s midnight-hued outfit sucking the stark sunlight from the screen during his scenes in Sergio Leone's masterpiece A Fistful of Dollars or Marlon Brando shrugging in his leather jacket in The Wild One while responding to the question: “What are you rebelling against, Johnny?” with a withering: “Whaddya got?”
As the late cultural iconoclast Malcolm McLaren – progenitor of punk, manager of the Sex Pistols and design partner of Dame Vivienne Westwood - once told me: “Black expressed the denunciation of the frill. Nihilism. Boredom. Emptiness.” That’s why he chose it as the primary colour for clothing a movement of dispossessed youth: the first 1976 bondage suits appeared in a black cotton sateen. When worn with black suede brothel creepers or Jodphur boots from Britain’s enduring shoemaker George Cox, the impact was stunning.
Similarly, the longevity of Fred Perry’s black shirts denotes a flipping of the expectations around sports and casualwear. Where white represent tennis and Wimbledon and Fred, black is the anti-hero colour, with completely opposite values. It’s almost the antithesis of the origins of the brand: nights out and dark dingy clubs where subcultures are nurtured. The black shirt sticks two fingers up at the preppy, pastel vibe of guys lounging around in LA in their polo shirts.
Shop Fred Perry Shirts here and at your local Fred Perry shop.
