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The term 'crusties' can refer to two distinct, but not entirely separate, subcultural groups. Particularly in North America, but to some extent worldwide, the term is used to refer to crust punks. In the UK and Ireland especially, particularly in the 1990s, the term was used to refer to people who are members of a subculture related to the New Age travellers movement.
Appearance
Crusties are distinctive for their unkempt appearance. They are associated with anti-capitalism, road protests, squatting, and begging. Typical dress styles involve dreadlocks, piercings, tattoos and dirty clothing, which are generally second-hand or army surplus. Similar to anarcho-punk, most clothing is black in colour. Earth colours are also common. Denim jackets, hooded sweatshirts with sewn-on patches, vests covered in studs, spikes, and band patches are characteristic elements of the crust punk style of dress.
Julian "Leggo" Kilsby of Deviated Instinct describes crust as "a punk-y biker look, more akin to Mad Max. Mad Max 2 is the crustiest film ever made!"
Crusties have also been described as being typically unemployed youth with no permanent home. Some are an urban version of the New Age Traveller and so may have relatively settled long-term homes.