‘The Roy’ short sleeved shirt

Description

The Roy is a men’s short sleeve shirt designed for those who appreciate the sharp, unmistakable style associated with skinhead, mod and ska culture.

Designed here in the UK by Rude Rebel Clothing, The Roy takes its inspiration from the classic button-down shirts that have been part of British street and subculture style for generations. Its sharp cut, distinctive design and traditional detailing make it equally at home paired with Sta-Prest trousers and braces, turned-up jeans or simply worn on its own. Red or burgundy braces make a particularly sharp combination with this one.

The Details

• Button-down, four-finger one-piece collar
• Short sleeves with distinctive double-button detail
• Sewn-in rear box pleat
• Traditional hanger loop
• Chunky Rude Rebel engraved buttons
• Rude Rebel woven pocket tag
• Available in sizes Medium to 4XL
• Designed to Rude Rebel’s own specification

Why “The Roy”?

The Roy is named in tribute to Roy Ellis, better known to generations of ska and reggae fans as Mr Symarip – and one of the artists most closely connected with the original skinhead reggae sound.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Roy came to Britain while still a teenager and began his musical career during the 1960s. As a member of bands including The Bees, The Pyramids and eventually Symarip, he became part of the thriving Jamaican music scene taking root in Britain.

It was with Symarip that Roy would make his biggest mark on British subculture.

In 1969 came Skinhead Moonstomp, a record made for – and embraced by – Britain’s original skinhead scene. Alongside tracks such as Skinhead Girl and Skinhead Jamboree, it helped create a musical connection between young British skinheads and the Jamaican ska and reggae sounds they had adopted as their own.

That connection has endured for more than half a century. Skinhead Moonstomp remains an anthem of the traditional skinhead scene, while Roy Ellis has continued performing around the world as Mr Symarip, introducing the music to generation after generation of ska, reggae and skinhead fans.

His story also crosses paths with several of the other artists celebrated in our shirt collection. Roy worked alongside and backed Jamaican legends including Prince Buster, Laurel Aitken, Toots Hibbert and Desmond Dekker, making him another important link between Jamaican music and the British subculture that embraced it.

Calling this shirt The Roy is our tribute to one of skinhead reggae’s genuine originals – a man whose music has been part of the soundtrack to the culture since 1969.

Authentic British Subculture Style

Rude Rebel Clothing is a small, independent, family-run UK clothing brand based in the North-East of England. We’re not looking at subculture from the outside – we’ve been part of the ska and skinhead scene for decades, from fanzines and websites to gigs, festivals and everything in between.

Our shirts are designed for people who share that culture. Skinheads, mods, rude boys, ska fans and anyone who appreciates sharp British subculture clothing with a bit of history behind it.

Produced in limited runs, once a particular design or colour is gone, we can’t guarantee it’ll return.

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