this weeks fashon tipz

GANG CLOTHING

INTRODUCTION

A gang patch is usually known as a “patch” or as “colours”. A patch is normally sewn onto a sleeveless leather or denim vest which is sometimes known as a “cut off” or a “half jacket”.

A gang patch is an extremely important possession for a gang member because it represents his commitment and dedication to the gang. He is expected to protect his patch at all costs and risks getting kicked out if he loses it.

Some gang members wear their patch frequently and others wear theirs only when they have to, because of the attention that it brings from the police and other law enforcement officials.

Gang members are expected to wear their patch at gang meetings and functions. Most motorcycle gangs have rules that members must wear their patch when riding their motorbike. Many bikie gangs have the rule that patches must not be worn inside vehicles.

It’s very common for patchmembers to wear T-shirts from other chapters of their gang and these are often swapped amongst members.

A gang patch (and all items bearing the gangs name) remains the property of the gang and must be returned when the patchmember leaves the gang.

For information about banning gang patches, please refer to the Getting Tough on Gangs section.

THE “THREE-PIECE” PATCH

The type of patch worn by outlaw gangs is known as a “three-piece” patch. It consists of a “Top Rocker”, “Colours” and a “Bottom Rocker”.



BADGES

Gang members often personalise the front of their patch vest by adding badges. Some gangs have strict rules about what badges can be worn and others don’t. Badges may include the wearers gang and chapter, rank or status (eg “Life member”), nickname, years of service, special occasions they have attended (anniversary parties etc), drug use or other things that have some meaning to the member.



COMMON BADGES INCLUDE...

1%/1%er
The “1%” badge symbolises that the wearer is an outlaw or criminal.
This comes from a supposed quote from the American Motorcycle Association that 99% of motorcyclists were honest, law-abiding citizens and that only 1% were bad.

13
This refers to cannabis and indicates that the person is a smoker. “M” for marijuana, is the thirteenth letter of the alphabet.

F T W
“F--k The World.” This is often seen as a tattoo.

I M O
"In Memory Of". This is sometimes seen as a badge to commemorate the death of a gang member.

MEMBERSHIP BADGES
Some gangs award badges for a certain amount of service, such as ten years as a patchmember.

SIDE PATCH
Some gangs award badges for a certain amount of service, such as ten years as a patchmember.

SIDE ROCKER
A “side rocker” is similar to a “bottom rocker” and often contains the name of the chapter that the member belongs to.

YEAR BADGES
These are worn by a small number of gangs and show every year that a person has been a patchmember.
PROSPECTS' CLOTHING



In most New Zealand gangs, the only people who are allowed to wear clothing with the gangs name on it are patchmembers.

Gang clothing worn by prospects varies from gang to gang. Some motorcycle gang prospects wear a bottom rocker and a MC badge (as shown above), although the prospects of a couple of clubs wear a “top rocker” bearing the gangs name instead.

In some gangs, prospects are allowed to wear chapter T-shirts which includes the gangs name and symbol.

NEW ZEALAND GANG PATCHES

OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE CLUBS


MOTORCYCLE GANG LOCATIONS


This map shows where New Zealand motorbike gangs have a chapter or a significant presence.

ETHNIC GANGS

BLACK POWER



A selection of Black Power patches. All feature the gangs closed-fist symbol.
“Mangu Kaha” means “Black Power” in Maori.

MONGREL MOB



A selection of Mongrel Mob patches. All Mob patches feature some form of the gangs’ bulldog symbol.

OTHER PATCH-WEARING GANGS INCLUDE...



There are a number of other gangs in New Zealand that wear patches or gang tee-shirts. These include the King Cobras, the Nomads, the Stormtroopers and the Tribal Huk.

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There are some other groups that wear three-piece patches similar to those worn by Outlaw Clubs. These include Christian clubs (“CMC” on the rear of a patch means “Christian Motorcycle Club”) and military clubs (made up of current or former defence personnel).