European football culture has long been an influence on fashion. Its uniforms have been a great springboard for some eccentric and innovative shirt designs. Often incorporating the colours of the squad and mixing them with iconography from the town or country’s heritage. Some of these kits have acquired legendary status. When combined with unique shirt sponsors, vintage shirts have now become prized items.
What Makes a Shirt Iconic?
Many different factors can make a vintage shirt iconic and thus more collectible. Generally, up until 1988, football shirts were simply functional items, displaying the colours of a team and possibly a sponsor. Yet the actual design never had that much put into it. In the late eighties, companies began to experiment with this just as European football was taking off.
This culminated in varied shirts for events like Italia ’90. Any outfits that have been worn in great sporting achievements and events such as this are valued, for example, for the World or European Cup-winning teams. Yet for smaller nations, it may just be the shirts that were worn for qualifying.
Lastly, it can be certain players who make the shirt famous. Paul Gascoigne’s England shirt, worn when he broke down in tears, or Maradona’s Argentina jersey spring to mind. Even players in domestic leagues can become tied to a jersey, such as Thierry Henry and the 04/05 Arsenal season shirt.
The Allure of Sponsors
The early 2000s saw Arsenal acquire the gaming company Sega as a shirt sponsor. The creators of the famous Mega Drive have now gone down in gaming history. Arsenal had the console’s ill-fated follow-up, the Dreamcast, on its shirt. This has created a cross-market, from those wanting old football shirts and those who collect retro gaming memorabilia.
Betting and casino sponsors are also a current purchase that could accrue value in the future. Companies such as Bet365 have sponsored teams like Stoke City FC in the UK. As one of the most well-known UK brands, it’s well known for its British roots, beginning as local bookies. They’re now more well known for their online betting platform and promotions, and you can find a clear breakdown of bet365 promos online. It could be the case that shirts will later become famous or collectible for these sponsorships and branding.
Famous Football Shirts
In 1988, Adidas overhauled the concept of shirt design with what was to become known as ‘The Ipswich’. This involved using a tiled pattern, much to the chagrin of some players and coaches. Yet it turned the genre on its head, and none is as prized as the Holland National shirt of the same year.
A late-eighties shirt known as Arsenal’s bruised banana was famous for all the wrong reasons. It was probably one of the team’s worst two seasons on record, and their bright yellow shirt with Mayan patterns added to the woes. Few people bought it, making it all the more rare today.
These items always look great, paired with sleek denim and casual sneakers. You don’t have to go for the priciest items either. Great vintage items can go unnoticed, created by local league teams that may have gone overlooked and cost very little.
