In an effort to distance the company from violent extremist groups, men’s clothing giant Fred Perry announced that it will stop selling its black and yellow polo shirts in the United States.
The polo has become synonymous with white nationalist group “Proud Boys”, who have adopted the shirt as its de-facto uniform. Fred Perry has aggressively decried the Proud Boys over the years, and the move to pull the shirt from shelves came from a statement from the brand last Thursday.
Source: CNN / YouTube
The statement reads:
“It is incredibly frustrating that this group has appropriated our Black/Yellow/Yellow twin tipped shirt and subverted our Laurel Wreath to their own ends.
The Fred Perry shirt is a piece of British subcultural uniform, adopted by various groups of people who recognise their own values in what it stands for. We are proud of its lineage and what the Laurel Wreath has represented for over 65 years: inclusivity, diversity and independence. The Black/Yellow/Yellow twin tipped shirt has been an important part of that uniform since its introduction in the late 70s, and has been adopted generation after generation by various subcultures, without prejudice.
Despite its lineage, we have seen that the Black/Yellow/Yellow twin tipped shirt is taking on a new and very different meaning in North America as a result of its association with the Proud Boys. That association is something we must do our best to end.”
Fred Perry says that the beloved polo may return to U.S. shelves “[when] we’re satisfied that its association with the Proud Boys has ended.” It’s a little known fact that oxblood colored Doc Marten boots were once associated with the neonazi group “skinheads”. Whether or not the black and yellow polo will have its image rehabilitated in the coming years is too soon to say.