Britpop style legacy

In cultural terms, Britpop was a battle cry for being British, with all its quirks – a way of saying no to Nirvana and America’s grunge takeover and reclaiming the UK's place at the cutting edge of the 90s pop scene. Sure, bands like Blur, Pulp and Oasis definitely (maybe) appropriated the style of 60s mods, 70s teachers and 80s football fans, but these boys (and girls) wore their old threads with a new, roguish sense of fun. Here’s how Britpop’s style legacy lives on today.

Harrington jackets

The Gallaghers were also fans of the Harrington – along with Blur’s Damon Albarn and any other Britpop boy worth his salt at the time. Although previously worn by all-American icons like Steve McQueen, James Dean and Frank Sinatra, the 90s saw the coat revived and celebrated as a British design classic. Having first been produced in Manchester by legendary outerwear makers Baracuta in the 30s, the cropped, lined cover-up has essentially remained unchanged and is still hard to beat as a smart/casual cut. 

Kangol bucket hats

Nothing says 90s like a Kangol-branded hat. A favourite of fishermen, Hunter S Thompson, Elton John and LL Cool J alike, bucket hats became a big part of the late-80s 'Madchester' era thanks to the Stone Roses and stuck around as a Britpop staple. In 2016, the millinery remains the perfect party-boy accessory – a wavy alternative to a cap in summer that works best on holiday, at a festival or on a big night out. 

Track jackets

Your adidas addiction isn’t anything new. Pretty much any piece of sportswear produced by Fred Perry, Fila, Kappa, Ellesse and adidas was hot property amongst the Britpop crowd, too, but terrace-casual classics like track jackets carried particular cachet. Worn, like parkas, with their funnel necks zipped up to face height, the 90s gave this 80s classic a laddish edge. Wearing your prized Kappa today will still evoke the envy of any passing Britpop boys from the first time round and may even rouse a possible shout of ‘PARKLIFE’.