Five Ways to Wear a Brighton Favourite

If there’s one colour that feels particularly at home in Brighton, it has to be blue. We’ve got the sea on our doorstep, miles of blue sky when the weather decides to cooperate and, of course, Brighton & Hove Albion proudly turning out in blue and white. So, with the football season underway and the city getting ready for another busy August Bank Holiday, it seems like a particularly good time to have a rummage through the blue side of the Quadrophenia Alley wardrobe.

And what a rummage it is.

From Surf Blue and Sterling Blue to Cobalt and classic Navy, we've picked out four pieces proving there's far more to blue than your trusty pair of jeans.

Bomber Command: Gabicci Vintage Griffin Jacket

First up, something for those who like their blue with a distinctly retro flavour.

The Gabicci Vintage Griffin Bomber Jacket in Surf Blue delivers that smart-casual look Gabicci does particularly well. The lighter blue shade gives the classic bomber silhouette a fresh twist, making it an easy piece to throw over a polo, knit or simple T-shirt.
It's the sort of jacket that works brilliantly as summer starts giving way to those cooler evenings – particularly useful when you're near the Brighton seafront and that innocent-looking breeze suddenly develops ambitions.

Pair it with dark denim or trousers and let the Surf Blue do the talking.

Shop the Gabicci Vintage Griffin Bomber Jacket

Play It Loud: Trojan Records Stripe Front Tee

Blue doesn't always have to behave itself.

The Trojan Records Stripe Front T-Shirt in Cobalt Blue brings a much bolder shade into proceedings, along with the unmistakable music heritage of the Trojan name.

Trojan Records and British subculture have been travelling together for decades, with ska and reggae becoming an important part of the soundtrack surrounding mod and skinhead culture. It's exactly the sort of heritage that feels right at home at Quadrophenia Alley.

And Cobalt Blue certainly isn't going to disappear quietly into the background.

Keep the rest of the outfit straightforward – jeans, trainers or boots and perhaps a Harrington over the top – and you're sorted.

Shop the Trojan Records Stripe Front T-Shirt

Italian Job: FILA Vintage Don Textured Knit

There's blue, and then there's Italian sportswear blue.

The FILA Vintage Don Textured Knit T-Shirt in Sterling Blue takes things in a slightly smarter direction, combining classic sporting heritage with a textured knitted finish.

FILA has been part of British casual style for generations, and pieces like this show exactly why. It sits nicely in that sweet spot between a T-shirt and something rather smarter – ideal when you want to make an effort without looking like you've spent three hours deciding what to wear.

Team the Sterling Blue with navy trousers or dark denim and clean trainers for a simple retro sportswear look.

Extra points if you're wearing it while drinking an espresso and discussing Italian scooters.

Although the scooter is optional.

Shop the FILA Vintage Don Textured Knit T-Shirt

Brighton in Navy: The Quadrophenia Alley Exclusive

We might be slightly biased here.

Actually, forget slightly.

The Quadrophenia Alley Exclusive Icon Quadrophenia Cast Print T-Shirt in Navy Blue brings together several things we're rather fond of: Brighton, Quadrophenia, mod culture and a good navy T-shirt.

The exclusive design features a reworking of the legendary Quadrophenia cast image by Brighton-based artist Paul Collicutt, putting a local spin on one of the most recognisable images connected with the film.

And navy is probably one of the easiest colours you can have in the wardrobe. Jeans? Works. Harrington? Works. Parka? Obviously works.

It's also one of those T-shirts that means something a little more when you're actually wandering around Brighton – particularly if your wander happens to bring you down East Street.

Funny that.

Shop the Quadrophenia Alley Exclusive Cast T-Shirt

Harrington Heritage: Lambretta Classic Jacket

You can't talk mod style for very long without a Harrington jacket turning up. And quite right too.

The Lambretta Showerproof Classic Harrington Jacket in Navy Blue takes one of the great staples of British subculture and keeps things suitably sharp. Clean, uncomplicated and ridiculously easy to wear, it's exactly the sort of jacket that earns its place by the front door rather than disappearing into the back of the wardrobe.

The navy blue makes it particularly versatile. Throw it over a polo for a smarter look, pair it with one of your favourite graphic tees, or simply add jeans and trainers when you're heading out and don't fancy making a major production out of getting dressed.

And, being showerproof, it's got another rather important quality for life on the south coast. Blue skies over Brighton are lovely – but trusting them for the entire day is another matter altogether.

A Harrington, a decent polo and a bit of attitude. Some things really don't need reinventing.

Shop the Lambretta Showerproof Classic Harrington Jacket

Once in a Blue Moon? Not Around Here.

There's a reason blue never really disappears from menswear.

It's easy to wear, works with practically everything and comes in enough shades to stop things getting boring. Go lighter with Surf Blue, make yourself known in Cobalt, smarten things up with Sterling Blue, or stick with dependable Navy.

Better still, mix a few shades together.

After all, in Brighton we're rather accustomed to seeing plenty of blue.

Shop the latest styles online or come and see us at Quadrophenia Alley, 11 East Street, Brighton.