Giving a whole new meaning to the words crew top is a controversial range of T-shirts saluting the history of Dundee gangs.

Newly-formed fashion outlet Scheme-Wear is selling tops with the name and insignia of infamous youth gangs from the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties.

Founder of Scheme-Wear, Robbie Fox, 19, says he was inspired to create the range after receiving a book about Dundee’s schemes for Christmas.

Robbie told the Tele: “I was given a book called Scheme Life by Gary Robertson.

“It showed all the Dundee gangs and their gang signs and I thought the T-shirts would be a good way of celebrating that part of the city’s history.”

He added that although the gangs have had a controversial past, he wants to ensure a big part of the city’s past is remembered.

“The past is the past,” Robbie said.

“Everyone has made mistakes in their life, and these guys are no different.

“But a lot of it is to do with a bond between friends, and this is a bit of fun that has more to do with Dundee’s colourful history than glamourising the gang element.”

The T-shirts cost 12.99 each or 19.99 for a pair, and Robbie says the response has been generally positive.

He said: “Sales are solid and are currently going up.

“I aim to do all the main gangs like Lochee Fleet, Hula Boyz and Mid.

“Depending on how they take off, I might do some of the lesser-known ones, too.”

Author Mr Robertson said despite the negative impact of gang activity across the city during its heyday, T-shirts like these are essentially harmless.

He said: “I don’t really see a problem with it.

“The whole thing is far enough in the past for something like this not to cause too much offence.

“I think it’s a bit of nostalgia. Guys of a certain age still shout the name of their gang when they’re having a beer or whatever, but it’s good natured these days.

“It’s a good way of clinging onto the culture of the past.”

Gary added that although some of the things gangs did wasn’t pleasant, a lot of it was about representing where you came from.

He said: “It was all about where you grew up and it never leaves you, even if you leave the scheme, or even the city.

“I think they’ll sell a few T-shirts, and good luck to them.

“There will be a lot of people across the city for whom these gangs are a huge part of their history, and I’m sure some of them will want to get one.

“Of course, you’ll get people who think it is an outrage, like they did with my book.

“The tops are simply playing on a piece of the city’s history that a lot of people can relate to.”