The football jersey is a timeless classic, holding both memories and nostalgia in its fabric. Team shirts are a fashion statement not just among sports fans; they send a message and give the wearer a true sense of community and pride.
Here are some of my favourite jerseys — let’s not get into a debate it though – from retro classics to updated streetwear essentials.
The 88’ Home Netherlands Jersey
In 1988, the Netherlands won their first major international tournament, making the jersey itself legendary. The unique design, featuring psychedelic and geometric shapes with a minimalist twist, is elegantly simple.
The Inter Milan 1997-98 Third Jersey
The blue and yellow design of this Inter Milan kit truly stood out against the jerseys of its time. When they won the UEFA that season, Ronaldo, the Brazilian forward known as “Il Fenomeno” was at the peak of his career, and in many ways this jersey is synonymous with his legacy.
The Juventus 1997/98 Away Jersey
A collector’s favorite. Not only an iconic pink colour cherished by fans, but it’s also memorable due to the notable players who wore it – including Alessandro Del Piero, Zinedine Zidane, and Edgar Davids.
The 1999 USA Women’s Football Jersey
Watched by over 90,000 spectators, this jersey meant a lot for women’s visibility in the sport. And, of course, who could forget Brandi Chastain’s penalty kick celebration, where she famously ripped off her jersey to reveal her sports bra? Momentous.
The Nicole Chui Jersey
Nicole Chui, a disruptive artist specialising in free-hand embroidery, creates truly one-of-a-kind pieces. What drives her work is a desire to preserve and create memories whilst adding her personal touch. With this in mind, she is currently exploring and integrating her identity into football culture, as seen in her embroidered jerseys.
The NAVINDER NANGLA Jersey
Navinder Nangla, a graffiti artist, recently did a spray paint football shirt drop that sold out immediately. But it won’t be his last.
When asked about his inspiration for painting the jerseys, he said: “It was me just being me. I wanted to paint those that were nostalgic to the era when I was getting an introduction to football. It was around 2005 when it was iconic, and so were the players wearing them”.
Regarding his artistic expression, he says: “I take reference from the greats like Jean Paul Gaultier and Margiela, as they use the design skill of trompe-l’oeil — the illusion that something is there when it’s not. I wanted to really nod to this with my reimagining of old jerseys in a paint-effect style”.
The Martine Rose Streetwear Jersey
A unique blend of streetwear and high fashion, Martine Rose continues to sell out almost immediately – her jerseys being amongst the most popular.
Other streetwear jersey favourites can be found from Patta, SCRT, ADL, NTS, Stussy – the list is endless.
The Local Team Jersey
The UK women’s Whippets FC team has a retro-inspired collection with Umbro, drawing from the vibrant football jerseys of the 80s and 90s. Designed by Sophie Hird, these pieces feature bright colours and bold prints from that era, making them true classics that everyone wants to wear with pride.
