77 / 100
JULY 2018 -
SEXY GLAM
MAGAZINE -
77
In keeping with the sleek 60s look, shirts came in bold
solid colors, making soccer jerseys more visible in
under the stadium lights. The next decade found de-
signers including their logos on the sleeves and fronts
of European and English soccer jerseys. The 1970s
marked a time that returned to traditional colors with
circular necks, and striped looks.
By mid-1980s the media began to accept the idea
that jerseys worn by professional soccer players
should patronize various brands. This kicked off an
era of soccer jersey marketing like never seen before.
And soccer jerseys were continuing to be made of
lighter-weight, durable polyester.
The 1990s marked a time of increasing commercial-
ism for the soccer shirt, with replica shirts baring the
logos of professional teams being widely marketed.
No longer made of cotton, technology continues to
produce jerseys that are lighter and more breathable
than ever, with fabrics made from cotton blends of
nylon and polyester.
From the 1800s to the modern age of soccer, jerseys
evolved with the times, and ever-changing demands
of the player, recreational and professional alike.
Athletic uniforms are more than just jerseys. The uni-
form is everything a team stands for. In other words,
the uniform is the symbol of the team, and the most
important part of the game.
The Cambridge Rules established in 1848 did not
mention athletic uniforms at all. In fact, for most of
the Victorian age, players just wore white shirts, long
trousers, and colorful hats or scarves to distinguish
between competing teams. It wasn’t until around
1870 that the public demanded that teams wear
clothing that was more, well, uniform.
The colors for team apparel were generally chosen
to match the school or club they represented. For in-
stance, players for the Shrewbury School wore white
jerseys with the school’s blue Maltese Cross.
Shin guards were invented in 1874 by Samuel Wid-
dowson, a player for the Nottingham Forest soccer
team. He cut and reshaped a pair of cricket pads be-
fore strapping them to his legs outside his stockings.
Though his idea was initially ridiculed, it eventually
caught on with other players.
In the early 20th century, soccer shirts were tailored
and made from durable, natural fibers. They soon
became a fashion trend around the world.
In the mid-1900s, jerseys became a little more con-
ducive to athletic activity. They were made from light,
synthetic fabrics, and sported shorter sleeves and
v-neck designs.
By the 1960s, soccer uniforms really began to resem-
ble the athletic apparel seen on the field today. Over
the next couple decades, jerseys became more and
more commercial as teams sold replicas of signature
jerseys from notable players.
The 1990s introduced athletic fabric that was lighter
and more breathable than ever, and popularity of
the soccer shirt soared, with replica shirts becoming
widely marketed across the globe.
Though it has undergone many big changes over
the centuries, soccer team uniforms are really rath-
er basic. Today, they involve only a short-sleeved
top, lightweight shorts, tall socks over shin guards,
and soccer cleats. Simple as it may be, the soccer
uniform keeps players comfortable and cool in the
warmer weather in which they usually play.