Respect is due to Mr. Fred Perry; a man who has done so much for both sport and sportswear. To start with he managed the seeming impossible task of being both British, and good at tennis and won the Men’s Wimbledon singles title for us Brits not once, but on three separate occasions. Forget the thirty years of hurt bestowed upon us by the England football team, Fred was responsible for 74 years of hurt and convinced two generations that we were actually good at tennis.
Again to his credit, he successfully brought sportswear to the high street with the help of the early 1960 Mod movement, although some may say that again this is not altogether a particularly good thing. Another interesting Fred Perry fact is that with a little help from an upstanding gent named Tibby Wegner, he invented the sweatband. Popular in the 70’s and 80’s, they provided one of the most convenient antiperspirant devices which lasted right up until Right Guard took up the mantle and stopped sweat from reaching the wrists.
However it is in the realm of tennis shoes and gym shoes in which the Fred Perry legend lives on. He helped to create a classic style of flat sports shoe suitable for indoor court sports such as squash and badminton, which performed admirably on cross-surface tennis courts. The soft non-marking sole provides excellent grip whilst giving the wearer a classic style. Constructed in cotton fabric, the two tone designs and neat stylish embroidery have crossed from sports to urban wear with consummate ease.
The range has now been expanded from the classic white plimsoll style gym shoe, to include Nubuck and suede boots, comfortable flip-flops and expanded range which remain true to Fred’s classic style. Fred Perry shoes offer value for money, breathable fabric and great indoor and outdoor shoes for sport and fashion alike and remain an excellent choice, at an even better price.