A new Premier League season brings optimism and hope. It also brings new fashion.
With two weeks in the books it is a perfect time to break down the best new uniforms in Europe’s most-watched league.
Chelsea – adidas
Chelsea don’t just play like champions, also they look champions. For starters they have one of the best crests in world football. Their home shirt isn’t much different other than the change from sponsors Samsung to Yokohama Tyres. They’ve added a buttoned open neck to the collar which is a nice touch. Their away shirt is what separates them from the pack, as it is the single best jersey in the league. There is great detailing on the bottom of the sleeves and the red is more prominent making it a nice accent colour.
Tottenham – Under Armour
Spurs will be blessed with regal uniforms once again as the white trim on the back of blue shorts is another nonintrusive way to spruce things up. The blue trim on the bottom of the sleeves pairs well with the diagonal stripes that cut through the AIA logo. Under Amour has been progressive with its colour scheme, implementing neon green and yellow in the past as accent colours and now it has done it big with baby blue on their away kit. They take the fun colours even further with the third kit embracing a powerful purple with a sleek silver to finish the look off.
Manchester United – adidas
In a much talked about move Manchester United didn’t renew its contract with Nike. The Premier League’s biggest club still had to wear them on their American pre-season tour as their deal didn’t end until August 1. Don’t feel bad for the Red Devils as their record setting 10 year, $1.28 billion deal with adidas positioned them well to compete financially in the foreseeable future. For the old guard it seems right to see them back in the brand with three stripes for the first time since 1992. For young fans it’s odd not to see them in Nike who took over for Umbro as their shirt sponsor in 2002. In a smart marketing move United sent adidas pitch man and former Old Trafford hero David Beckham the new home shirt. Notice the number font is different from the standard Premier League font.
Manchester City – Nike
Surprisingly the lone team with Nike continues its high standard of outfits. The away blue kit is one of the best individual strips in the league. The home outfit is no slouch, however the blue trim around the collar was lost in favour of a white short collar that gives the light blue jersey a clean finish.
West Ham United – Umbro
For the Hammers it is important to celebrate their last season at the Bolyen Ground and this uniform does that by showing it off on their gold crest, as does their blue wide crew collar which pays tribute to the first shirts worn on the ground. The away kit is a great tone of light blue with thin, diagonal pinstripes at the top broken up by a maroon section in the middle giving the uniform a fun but substantial look. The uniform’s real strength is it isn’t something you’ve seen already 1,000 times.
Liverpool – New Balance
Liverpool changed from Warrior to related company New Balance. The fake collar on the red uniform is a nice design element and highlights the fact the collar has gone by the wayside in soccer uniforms as every element is geared towards functionality. However, the real old-school floppy collar is brought back to life on the futuristic black uniform. The black jersey with grey midriff stripes and skinny red and white piping on the shoulders and collar might be Liverpool’s best look this year. Although players look rightfully bored in promo shots for the uninspiring white kits, the Wimbledon-esque all white outfit paired with white shorts and socks will be a nice contrast to the other two kits which are much darker and more intense.
Arsenal – Puma
Puma has continued their tradition of making their uniforms skin tight which will not impress Roy Keane who believes the Gunners are all too interested in showing off their abs. Their biceps won’t be for show as the short sleeves are actually much longer than traditional uniforms. Not sure how good this kit will look in the supporters section but it looks very “Arsenal” on the pitch. Thierry Henry was brought in to unveil them but Arsenal is making quite a stir with their blue and gold away kits. You’ll also notice a new trend on Puma’s away kits as they have started to feature argyle style diamonds that make you reminisce about your grandfather’s favourite sweater.
West Bromwich Albion – adidas
Fans at the Hawthorns have more than a revitalized strike force to cheer for as the team’s uniforms have been spruced up. The home uniforms embody the team’s crest. The key colour is red as it is showcased in both the home uniforms and as a nice changeup as the dominant colour on the away uniforms.
Swansea City – adidas
The Swans got this kit right accentuating the copper trim which pays homage to the local copper industry that keeps the town afloat. Swansea will be touch and go to stay up in the Premier League but it won’t be due to the way they look.
Bournemouth – Cabrini
The new boys to the Premier League have a fresh new look to match the increased level of play. New sponsor Mansion has come on board to further bolster their claim of now being a big club known for their exciting offence. Bournemouth’s new shirts are also an inspiring choice.
Everton – Umbro
There is literally nothing to their home blue uniforms, which are so bland even their training top has a better, more interesting look. They hit a home run with their away kit, though, which is one of the best in the league. The grey striped sleeves incorporates soccer jersey’s penchant for having stripes but places them not on the body of the shirt but on the sleeves which is a new concept which gives it a classic and at the same time unique look . They also might have the best socks in the league which are often an afterthought but is important in tying a look together.
https://twitter.com/halifaxdave/status/632906634453471232
Newcastle – Puma
I love the inclusion of Royal blue in to the kits that have been predominantly black and white, and lacking in any colour over the club’s history. After years of Newcastle playing it safe with uniforms not that much different from the one Alan Shearer wore Newcastle has a kit worth spending substantial Euros on. For the traditional fans they still stick to club history with the black and white vertical stripes but add flashes of blue to them at the bottom to give it a progressive look. They’ve transferred the embracing of fun colours into their away and third kits.
Southampton – adidas
Plain and simple the new Southampton kit looks like a poor version of the Seattle Sounders kit. The home kit is for all intents and purposes the same. Yawn!
Sunderland – adidas
Their away kit looks like Mexico’s national team’s outfit. Their home kit has more white as the dominant colour instead of the red that set the tone in previous years but ultimately it is the same jersey. The block vertical stripes that look similar to almost every other English soccer uniform ever made aren’t much to get excited over. The two uniforms are virtually identical, the only difference being the colour of the collar. Even both of their away kits are green. No fan base wants to support a side whose top they can barely pick out of a lineup.
https://twitter.com/localsunderland/status/631777381242535936
Leicester City – Puma
The gold trim on the home kit has extra significance as it is the uniform they were wearing when they set the gold standard for the club and stayed up at the close of last season. The Foxes have also switched from red and reintroduced black uniforms as an away kit, again after having success with them in 2013.
Stoke City – New Balance
The Potters have stuck with the traditional red and white candy cane type uniforms adding blue to the numbers to give it a bit of punch. The away uniform New Balance has provided in their first year working with the club is a black and green number that leaves much to be desired. The hashtag that has been accompanied with the new kits is #LikeNothingElse. Sadly that’s not in a good way as it isn’t like many of the nice kits New Balance has come up with recently and very much like what Stoke has worn in previous years.
https://twitter.com/NBFootball/status/593913023347195905/photo/1
Aston Villa – Macron
Aston Villa’s slogan to accompany their new kit is “The players have a duty, a responsibility. This is a big club.” Well then dress them like it! Villa moved away from Nike to Macron and so far the move has fallen flat. Another team who has colours similar to a rival in West Ham it is a must to go above and beyond with your design. The uniforms are appropriate for a big club in the Championship not the Premier League.
Watford – Puma
They just look like bumblebees. This is a uniform deserved for your church league not the Premier League. While the home kit is too busy the away kit is boring. Normally you take chances with your look away from home but the black and white number lets you know that just like their tactics they are playing for a draw.
Crystal Palace – Macron
These are even worse. They look like the default uniform shown before you start to design them. The middle vertical stripe on the white kit is a nice try but falls short. Changing the colour of the numbers from yellow to white on the home kit is an improvement.
Norwich City – Errea
Norwich is hamstrung by their colour scheme quite a bit. Unlike North American sports, the custom in Europe is to not change your colour scheme whenever the mood suits you.
https://twitter.com/Brad_Pinard/status/623135836083781632